Good intentions to keep ears clean may be risking the ability to hear. The ear is a delicate and intricate area, including the skin of the ear canal and the eardrum. Therefore, special care should be given to this part of the body. Start by discontinuing the use of cotton-tipped applicators and the habit of probing the ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does the body produce earwax?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cerumen or earwax is healthy in normal amounts and serves as a self-cleaning agent with protective, lubricating, and antibacterial properties. The absence of earwax may result in dry, itchy ears. Most of the time the ear canals are self-cleaning; that is, there is a slow and orderly migration of earwax and skin cells from the eardrum to the ear opening. Old earwax is constantly being transported, assisted by chewing and jaw motion, from the ear canal to the ear opening where it usually dries, flakes, and falls out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earwax is not formed in the deep part of the ear canal near the eardrum, but in the outer one-third of the ear canal. So when a patient has wax blockage against the eardrum, it is often because he has been probing the ear with such things as cotton-tipped applicators, bobby pins, or twisted napkin corners. These objects only push the wax in deeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When should the ears be cleaned?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Under ideal circumstances, the ear canals should never have to be cleaned. However, that isn\u2019t always the case. The ears should be cleaned when enough earwax accumulates to cause symptoms or to prevent a needed assessment of the ear by your doctor. This condition is called cerumen impaction, and may cause one or more of the following symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Earache, fullness in the ear, or a sensation the ear is plugged<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Partial hearing loss, which may be progressive<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Tinnitus, ringing, or noises in the ear<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Itching, odor, or discharge<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Coughing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What is the recommended method of ear cleaning?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To clean the ears, wash the external ear with a cloth, but do not insert anything into the ear canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most cases of ear wax blockage respond to home treatments used to soften wax. Patients can try placing a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or commercial drops in the ear. Detergent drops such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may also aid in the removal of wax.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Irrigation or ear syringing is commonly used for cleaning and can be performed by a physician or at home using a commercially available irrigation kit. Common solutions used for syringing include water and saline, which should be warmed to body temperature to prevent dizziness. Ear syringing is most effective when water, saline, or wax dissolving drops are put in the ear canal 15 to 30 minutes before treatment. Caution is advised to avoid having your ears irrigated if you have diabetes, a perforated eardrum, tube in the eardrum, or a weakened immune system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n