Ear wax. What's the best way to clean it out?

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K

Know it all

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52 posts
Dec 28, 2009 10:57 PM
Q Tips suck.
Dec 28, 2009 10:57pm
darbypitcher22's avatar

darbypitcher22

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8,000 posts
Dec 28, 2009 10:58 PM
Q tips work for me. However I'm informed by doctors that Q Tips actually push the earwax further into your ear so they're not a good thing
Dec 28, 2009 10:58pm
The Equalizer's avatar

The Equalizer

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1,003 posts
Dec 28, 2009 10:58 PM
Oh boy I can't wait to hear the suggestions.
Dec 28, 2009 10:58pm
MANAZE's avatar

MANAZE

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1,055 posts
Dec 28, 2009 10:59 PM
theres this candle thing you can put in your ear and it'll suck out the wax while its light.
Dec 28, 2009 10:59pm
E

enigmaax

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4,511 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:02 PM
Peroxide.
Dec 28, 2009 11:02pm
S

Sonofanump

Dec 28, 2009 11:04 PM
MANAZE wrote: theres this candle thing you can put in your ear and it'll suck out the wax while its light.
So it doesn't work in the dark?
Dec 28, 2009 11:04pm
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HitsRus

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9,206 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:06 PM
Hot water in an ear syringe and irrigate.
Dec 28, 2009 11:06pm
S

sportchampps

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7,361 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:06 PM
dont use qtips i used them once and pushed the wax to far bak and couldnt hear or like a month outta that ear. finaly my g/f made me go to the doctors and he had to suck it out with something.
Dec 28, 2009 11:06pm
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darbypitcher22

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8,000 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:10 PM
They drain em at the doctor's office with a big turkey baster type thing and they put your head under a fawcett with the water running in your ear.... I've had that procedure done before....
Dec 28, 2009 11:10pm
G

GeneralsIcer89

Senior Member

281 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:10 PM
HitsRus has it right. Q-tips are fine if you go in at the proper angle and sweep the wax out, rather than back, but even then will slowly build up wax closer to the ear drum. Ear irrigations are the best way to go about it, and if you don't trust yourself to do it properly, it shouldn't cost anymore than the copay to see your doctor to have it done by a professional. Just don't look in the pan after it's cleaned out if you are squeamish. Those gigantic balls of wax can be a little gross.
Dec 28, 2009 11:10pm
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bcubed

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410 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:12 PM
pencil or fast moving drill bit!
Dec 28, 2009 11:12pm
S

Swamp Fox

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Dec 28, 2009 11:14 PM
I'm currently dealing with this and I bought some drops that are supposed to help get the wax to pass out of your ear. After the drops go in and you keep the drops in for around 5-10 minutes, you irrigate with hot water in a syringe and this is supposed to clear the ear. So far, I'm still battling a hearing loss and think that it might be be getting a bit better. I Remember the last time I went to the doctor to get the wax removed and he used this sprayer type device that kept shooting water into my ear until the wax loosened and came out on it's own accord. I'm going to go with the ear drops another day and then I think I'll just let my doctor drown me again and get it over with.
Dec 28, 2009 11:14pm
darbypitcher22's avatar

darbypitcher22

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8,000 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:15 PM
just go to your doctor and have em drained.... easier than that drops bullshit.... they did that to me too before I had em drained
Dec 28, 2009 11:15pm
Apple's avatar

Apple

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2,620 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:18 PM
What?
Dec 28, 2009 11:18pm
S

Swamp Fox

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2,218 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:21 PM
You're right Darby! I think I'll just go see my doctor tomorrow and quit messing with it.
Dec 28, 2009 11:21pm
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BRF

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8,748 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:25 PM
There's this Amish thing (that I've never tried) in which you stick a candle in your ear and light it. It's available at our local drug store.

Me,......I just ram the Q-tip in and dig it out. Or just use my finger.

Then I smell it, too.
Dec 28, 2009 11:25pm
G

Gobuckeyes1

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497 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:33 PM
I have had problems with this before, and messed around with drops, home irrigators, all kinds of methods...seems like for days on end.

Then I went to the doctor and he had it handled in less than one minute. If you have a cheap co-pay, just go the the doctor and get it over with.
Dec 28, 2009 11:33pm
ZWICK 4 PREZ's avatar

ZWICK 4 PREZ

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7,733 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:35 PM
Just clean your ears at night with a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol and you won't have this problem. The rubbing alcohol draws wax out to your outer ear. Hygiene people, hygiene.
Dec 28, 2009 11:35pm
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GoChiefs

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Dec 28, 2009 11:37 PM
Manaze and BRF are right..the 'candling' method is very effective. I have used it on several occasions as I have an issue with wax buildup in my ear. By far the best method I have used.
Dec 28, 2009 11:37pm
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majorspark

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Dec 28, 2009 11:42 PM
BRF wrote: There's this Amish thing (that I've never tried) in which you stick a candle in your ear and light it. It's available at our local drug store.

Me,......I just ram the Q-tip in and dig it out. Or just use my finger.

Then I smell it, too.
After you smell it I hope you don't taste it.
Dec 28, 2009 11:42pm
BRF's avatar

BRF

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8,748 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:44 PM
GoChiefs wrote: Manaze and BRF are right..the 'candling' method is very effective. I have used it on several occasions as I have an issue with wax buildup in my ear. By far the best method I have used.
Oh, I see now that Manaze mentioned this but threw me off with the "when it is light"..........he meant when it is "lit", I guess.

Do you smell the stuff that you collect from this process? :D

Also, do you have only one ear, Van Gogh? :P
Dec 28, 2009 11:44pm
D

dancinbear

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236 posts
Dec 28, 2009 11:49 PM
+1 for the candles!

Technical term is harmony cones I believe.
Dec 28, 2009 11:49pm
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GoChiefs

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Dec 29, 2009 6:20 AM
BRF wrote: Do you smell the stuff that you collect from this process? :D

Also, do you have only one ear, Van Gogh? :P
No and no..I said in my 'ear' b/c I only have the buildup issue in one ear. Obviously. :)
Dec 29, 2009 6:20am
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Chesapeake

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Dec 29, 2009 7:05 AM
Tastes like chicken!

Dec 29, 2009 7:05am
S

Salmom

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65 posts
Dec 29, 2009 7:53 AM
It's called Ear Candleing. It is coned shaped and the heat draws out the ear wax. A lot more comfortable that having it done at the doctor's.
Dec 29, 2009 7:53am