The Secrets to Cleaning Your Ears Safely

by Patrick Fitzpatrick on June 02, 2021

Secrets to Cleaning Your Ears Safely

Clean, healthy ears help you avoid irritating or painful conditions that cause ear pain, itchiness, dryness, fullness, or muffled hearing. These common conditions are caused by various irritants, including allergies, the use of earbuds, bacteria, wax buildup, and more.

While your ears naturally clean themselves, sometimes it’s not enough. Knowing when and how to clean your ears safely with ear cleaning products will help you avoid ear damage while soothing bothersome symptoms.



What is earwax, and Why is it Important?

Earwax is a naturally occurring substance produced by glands in your ear. This substance helps trap debris and dust within your inner ear canal, lubricates the ear canal, and aids in keeping your ears clean. While everyone’s body creates earwax, the amount of wax your ears produce is genetically determined.

When you move your jaw, such as when speaking or chewing, the movements help expel old earwax from your inner ear canal to the opening of your ear. Usually, this earwax will then dry up and fall out of your ear on its own.

Despite these natural occurrences, excessive earwax can build up in your ear, or you may experience dry or itchy ears due to bacteria, allergies, or trauma. That’s where home ear cleaning solutions help keep your ears clean and healthy.



What is an Earwax Buildup?

Earwax buildup, commonly known as wax compactions, occurs when there is too much earwax inside your ear canal or when the wax has been pushed down further into your ear. Wax compactions can be painful, and you may experience symptoms such as:



  • Muffled or decreased hearing
  • Ear pain
  • Ringing in your ear
  • Dizziness
  • Persistent cough

Earwax buildups can become infected, leading to more severe complications that may result in permanent damage or hearing loss. When wax compaction becomes infected, you may see drainage from your ear canal, experience severe ear pain, or persistent itching.

You must seek medical attention if you suspect that you may have infected wax compaction. Should you experience severe loss of balance, spinning sensations, high fever, vomiting, or sudden loss of hearing, you should visit your local emergency room as soon as possible.

There are several common causes of earwax buildup, including:

  • Genetics, including excessive earwax production or narrow ear canals
  • The use of hearing aids, earbuds, or other similar devices
  • The use of cotton swabs and other items that push earwax deeper into the ear canal


3 Tips for Cleaning Your Ears Safely

Before you start using ear cleaning products, you must learn how to safely clean your ears to prevent wax impaction and keep your ears clean and healthy. Here are three tips to follow when using home ear cleaning solutions.



1. Use the Right Ear Cleaning Products for Humans

Ideally, you want to use ear cleaning products that contain natural coconut oil. Coconut oil has numerous health benefits. It has a natural antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral element that can help with ear health and prevent or treat conditions such as a swimmer’s ear. Coconut oil also provides anti-inflammatory benefits, helps lubricate your ear canal, and can be used to achieve relief from pain and itchiness.

Choose home ear cleaning solutions that are simple to use and gentle on your ears. Your ears are complex, and cleaning products that damage your ear canals can be detrimental to your overall health, especially if an injury becomes infected or if an item causes a wax impaction. When using ear cleaning products for humans, always read instructions carefully before use.



2. Avoid the Use of Candles, Cotton Swabs, and Other Objects

While some swear by the use of ear candles, cotton swabs, and other objects to remove earwax and keep ears clean, these items can cause further damage to your ear, including perforation of your eardrum or wax compactions.

Despite the dangers of pushing cotton swabs and other objects into your ears, surveys have found that 68 percent of respondents admitted to using cotton swabs as a method of cleaning their ears. Not only are these objects the leading cause of wax impaction, but they can push bacteria into the inner ear, potentially causing an infection.

Ear candles can also lead to serious injury. Having a flame or molten wax near your face or ear can potentially cause burns. Inserting an ear candle into your ear can push wax deeper, potentially leading to an earwax buildup. If melted wax drips into your canal, you may experience burns within your ear or a blockage that can cause temporary hearing loss.



3. See a Medical Professional for the Removal of Excessive or Impacted Earwax

If earwax becomes excessive enough or you suspect that you may have impacted earwax, contact your doctor and schedule an appointment. Home ear cleaning solutions will not clear impacted earwax. When you visit your doctor, your doctor may remove the wax or blockage by:



  • Irrigating your ear with warmed water or sodium bicarbonate
  • Prescribing strength ear drops
  • Scooping the blockage out with a small plastic tool called a curette
  • Using gentle suction to remove the blockage

If your doctor suspects that you may have an infection, they may prescribe antibiotics or another medication. Always follow your doctor’s instructions to avoid further complications while treating your ear condition.



Using SENSES Natural Ear Mist for Your Home Ear Cleaning Solutions

Are you searching for ear cleaning products to help clean your ears safely? SENSES Natural Ear Mist can be used to treat dry, irritated, and itchy ears. SENSES Natural Ear Mist is composed of medicinal grade virgin, organic coconut oil, organic Vitamin E, and jojoba oils to help provide your ear with natural relief. SENSES is gentle enough to be used on adults, children, and pets as a means of removing earwax and keeping your ears clean and healthy.

When using SENSES Natural Ear Mist, always shake well before use and place the nozzle just inside your ear canal. Depress the actuator one to two times in each ear and use SENSES up to two times daily. After use, gently dab away any excess moisture from the outside of your ear with a tissue.

Protect your ears by using the right ear cleaning products. Try SENSES Natural Ear Mist today or contact us for more information.

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