How to Massage Earwax Out
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The use of massage is typically associated with relaxation, stress relief or pain relief for sore, achy muscles. But massage has other, more unique uses such as to relieve parasinus congestion. The same idea can be applied to the ears to loosen dry, hard earwax.
In this blog, we cover the basics of how to use massage to avoid developing blockages and keep the ear canal from becoming impacted.
“Pain, loss of hearing, dizziness and headaches often related to the buildup of earwax, is a common complaint seen in primary care offices,” says Bronwyn Woods, M.D., a primary care physician at INTEGRIS Health Medical Group Baptist in Oklahoma City. “The loss of hearing can have a considerable impact on a patient’s quality of life and their ability to participate in daily activities. The tips given in this blog can help people treat wax buildup at home and hopefully prevent or decrease these symptoms and lessen the need to go into the doctor’s office.” She adds, “Please do call your doctor’s office though if you notice any blood or have an increase in pain or worsening hearing loss.”
What purpose does earwax serve?
Many people think earwax is a gross aspect of the human body, but it serves an important purpose to help keep the ear moisturized and lubricated. Earwax also creates a thin, water-resistant lining that helps reduce the risk of ear infections.
Earwax develops in the ear canal from tiny hair and glands that produce a waxy oil. Movement from the jaw during chewing or eating helps move earwax from the inner ear to the outer ear where it eventually falls out.
While most people don’t have to worry about earwax accumulation, others are more prone to earwax buildup that can cause pain, itchiness and hearing problems if it becomes impacted (medically known as cerumen impaction).
Some people have more ear hair than others, which produces more earwax that makes buildup common. Others have narrow ear canals, which can also lead to a buildup.
In some cases, though, buildup becomes problematic due to behavioral tendencies. For example, wearing hearing aids, earplugs or using cotton swabs – all things that consistently block the ear canal – will lead to buildups.
Removing earwax via massage
The concept of massage to remove earwax is simple: By using gentle pressure and a circular motion, you can help guide earwax out of the ear canal.
1. Soften and loosen the wax
- Before massaging the ear, start by using a combination of warm water on a washcloth to soften the wax and a few drops of oil (either mineral oil or olive oil) to loosen the wax.
- You can also use hydrogen peroxide drops, saline solution, baby oil or glycerin to help dislodge the wax. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide if the ear canal is blocked off, as the solution can make it worse.
- To apply the oil, lie down on your side so the impacted ear faces up. Place a few drops in the ear and let it sit for a few minutes to ensure the wax loosens. You can also gently rub around the ear so the oil can reach the ear canal.
2. Massage the ear
- Clean your hands before the massage to ensure germs don’t enter the ear. Take your fingertips and gently massage the base of the outer ear using rhythmic, circular motions.
- Opening and closing your mouth while you massage can help gradually move earwax to the outer ear by altering the pressure of the ear.
- Once you finish the massage, pull your ear backward from the lobe to the upper part of the ear. This helps open the ear canal to allow wax to exit.
3. Rinse the ear
- The final step is to rinse the ear canal to remove the loosened wax. Using a bulb syringe is the most effective way to flush the ear. Fill the device with warm water and apply it to the ear. Tilt your head back to the side so gravity can help water drain. You can repeat this process several times if needed.
Should you use a showerhead to remove earwax?
Since the use of a bulb syringe is an option to remove earwax, many people wonder if water pressure from a showerhead can also do the trick.
While warm water can soften earwax, you shouldn’t directly spray high-pressure water into your ear. The pressure may inadvertently push the earwax farther into the ear canal and make things worse.
That said, you can still allow some water to trickle in your ear or gently rinse your ear while showering. Be sure to tilt your head in the opposite direction so the water has a chance to flow out. Water that remains in the ear will pose an infection risk.
What about using cotton swabs?
You may be tempted to use cotton swabs to remove excess earwax, but this can make things worse for two reasons.
- First, cotton swabs can damage the eardrum by pushing wax too far into the ear past the canal and into the eardrum. Second, cleaning your ears with swabs can encourage more earwax production and lead to more buildup. Constantly removing earwax sends a message to the glands in your ear to produce more wax.
- Cotton swabs should only be used to clean the outside of the ear.
When to see a doctor about earwax buildup
Call your doctor if you don’t feel comfortable removing earwax on your own or have trouble doing so. You should also call a doctor if you have hearing issues or experience ear pain.
Usually, a primary care physician will treat cases of earwax buildup. For more complex cases, or scenarios in which the ear canal is completely impacted and is causing symptoms, they can refer you to an otolaryngologist, for further evaluation.
