How to clean your ears properly: Complete guide

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How to clean your ears properly: Complete guide to optimal ear hygiene.

Have you ever experienced discomfort or itching in your ears? These sensations are often caused by a buildup of earwax, a natural substance produced by the ear to protect it from dirt and infections. While earwax is necessary, an excess can cause discomfort and even hearing problems.

At Sontec Hearing Centers, we are experts in hearing health and want to help you maintain proper ear hygiene to prevent problems and ensure good hearing. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to clean your ears correctly, using safe and effective methods.

What is earwax and why is it important to clean it?

Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a sticky yellow-brown substance produced by the ceruminous glands in the external auditory canal. Its main function is to protect the inner ear from dirt, dust, insects, and microorganisms.

Under normal conditions, earwax naturally moves out of the ear thanks to the movements of the jaw and the skin of the ear canal. However, in some cases, it can build up excessively, blocking the ear canal and causing discomfort, itching, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and even temporary hearing loss.

When and how should you clean your ears?

In general, it is not recommended to clean your ears frequently, as earwax is essential for hearing health. However, if you experience discomfort, itching, a feeling of fullness, or think you have excess earwax, you can clean your ears by following these steps:

1. Use a soft, damp cloth: Moisten a clean cloth with warm water and use it to gently clean the auricle (the outer part of the ear) and the fold of the external ear canal. Do not insert the cloth into the ear canal.

2. Saline solution: You can prepare a solution of warm water and sea salt or dissolve a saline nasal wash tablet in warm water. Apply a few drops of the solution to the affected ear, tilt your head to one side, and let the solution work for a few minutes. Then dry the outer ear with a soft cloth.

3. Carbamide peroxide: In some cases, your doctor may recommend using 3% carbamide peroxide drops to soften the earwax and make it easier to remove. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and do not use this product without first consulting your doctor.

Methods to avoid:

Cotton swabs: Inserting cotton swabs into the ear is a dangerous practice that can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, preventing its natural removal and increasing the risk of injury to the eardrum.
Irrigation syringes: Using irrigation syringes or pressurized water jets can damage the eardrum and cause ear infections.

When should you see a doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to consult an ENT doctor (ear, nose, and throat specialist):

Severe ear pain
Purulent discharge from the ear
Sudden hearing loss
Persistent ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Dizziness or vertigo
Difficulty hearing high-pitched sounds

Recommendations for good ear hygiene:

Avoid exposure to loud noises: Protecting your ears from excessive noise, such as loud music or noisy machinery, is essential for preventing hearing loss and other hearing problems.
Use hearing protection: If you cannot avoid exposure to loud noises, use appropriate hearing protection, such as foam earplugs or noise-canceling headphones.
Maintain a healthy diet: A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can contribute to the overall health of your ears.
Avoid putting objects in your ears: Do not insert any objects into your ear, such as cotton swabs, hairpins, or fingers, as you could damage your eardrum or ear canal.
Have regular hearing tests: It is advisable to have regular hearing tests, especially after the age of 40, to detect and treat any hearing problems early on.

At Sontec Hearing Centers, we have a team of hearing health experts who can help you assess your hearing range and hearing threshold and determine if you have any hearing problems. We can also offer you the right treatment to protect your hearing health.

Please feel free to contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment.

For more information:

Sontec La Cala de Mijas

Plaza del Bulevar, 26 B, 29649 Mijas | +34 952-467-675

Sontec Fuengirola

4 Hermanos Pinzón Street, Florida II Building, Unit 9A, 29640 Fuengirola | +34 952 667 402

info@sontec.es | https://sontec.es

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