It's a common inclination to reach for a cotton swab if you have ears full of wax. However, some people swear by "ear candling," which is the practice of strategically using a heated candle to loosen up ear wax accumulated in the ears. And, yes, some people firmly believe you should never clean your ears. So, today, we're taking a moment to discuss whether or not it's okay to remove your ear wax.

Why Ear Wax Builds Up In Your Ears

Ear wax allows your ears to lubricate naturally, so dirt and debris can get out of your ears. The potential problem is too much wax can build up over time in your ears. If this happens, your ears may become blocked, which can contribute to difficulties with your hearing. If you already have hearing aids, wax accumulation can make it difficult for your current devices to transmit and receive audio information.

Your Ears Naturally Do a Good Job of Cleaning Themselves

Human ears are remarkably designed to allow accumulated ear wax to naturally leave your ear canal. In fact, the only reason your ears should be cleaned is because of a need to soften any wax that's not naturally removed. It's also a good idea to avoid swabs because of the potential unintentional damage to your eardrum or inner ear. Possible risks that go along with DIY earwax removal include:

• An eardrum that ruptures
• An ear infection
• Hearing loss that either suddenly develops or worsens if you already have hearing loss
• Inner ear damage that's not always easy to reverse

When It's the Proper Time to Clean Your Ears

If you need to clean your ears, there are a few methods you can use to clean and clear your ears without damaging your hearing or ears. The options commonly recommended include:

• Using hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, baby oil, or glycerin to loosen the wax
• Using a soft cloth to clean out the wax safely
• Using an over-the-counter wax removal kit
• Scheduling an appointment with your doctor to have a professional cleaning done

In addition to avoiding cotton swabs, it's best to avoid using candles directly in your ears. While there are candles specifically designed for this purpose, the Food and Drug Administration has determined they have the potential to cause burns. The FDA also notes that the pointed part of the candle could also cause significant damage to the ears.

Call Us Today

If you're experiencing any issues with your hearing ears due to earwax, your hearing aids can also be affected. This is why the Beltone Dallas Fort Worth team provides a full range of hearing aid and general hearing care services. With earwax, thorough cleaning of your hearing aids may be necessary due to the accumulation of wax on the hearing aids.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment or a general hearing evaluation to determine if you may benefit from hearing aids.