How Often Should You Clean Your Ears?

There is a lot of conflicting information about how often you should clean your ears and the method you should use. Many people still use cotton wool buds to clean their ears, but perhaps you’ve read that this can actually damage your ears and cause more issues. So, how often should you clean your ears and what’s the safest way to do it?

Our ears are naturally self-cleaning and don’t usually need to be cleaned. To keep them feeling fresh, you can use a damp cloth to gently wipe your outer ear. This can be done every few days or when required. You should never insert anything into your ear to clean them, including cotton wool buds, as this can damage them.

Keep reading for more detailed information about when you should clean your ears and how to know if you need a professional earwax removal service.

Jump to section:

• How Often Should You Clean Wax Out of Your Ears?

• How To Clean Your Ears and Remove Wax

• Why Is Ear Hygiene Important?

  
  

How Often Should You Clean Wax Out of Your Ears?

Ears are generally self-cleaning and most people don’t need to remove their ear wax. In fact, ear wax is designed to protect your sensitive ear canal from irritants and help prevent infections. Removing it often does more harm than good, unless you have excessive wax build-up causing hearing issues. 

If you do want to clean your ears at home, you can gently clean the outside of your ears using a clean damp cloth to keep them feeling fresh. This can be done when required, but it does not need to be done daily.  You should never insert anything into the ear canal as this will likely push the wax further in, causing a range of issues. 

How Do You Know When Your Ears Need To Be Cleaned?

You will only need to get your ears professionally cleaned if you experience the issues, such as:

• Hearing loss

• Dizziness

• Earache/pain

• Ringing or tinnitus

• Odour from the affected ear

• Your ear feels ‘full’

• Your ears are itchy

Typically, older people or those with hearing aids or learning difficulties are more likely to be affected by excess earwax. A professional audiologist will be able to advise you on how frequently your ear wax should be removed. Some people will require professional ear wax cleaning yearly while others will require treatment every six months. 

How To Clean Your Ears and Remove Wax

If you naturally produce excessive earwax or your earwax is causing problems, you should get them cleaned professionally rather than attempt to clean the wax yourself. According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), approximately 2.3 million people in the UK require professional ear wax removal every year. There are many professional clinics across the UK which provide safe and effective ear wax removal services. 

Is It Safe To Remove Ear Wax at Home?

No, it’s not recommended that you attempt to remove ear wax yourself. If you are struggling with excess wax, the safest course of action is to get in touch with a local ear wax removal clinic. 

Cleaning your ears by yourself can lead to:

• An infection. It’s not recommended to insert any foreign object into your ear canal as it can disturb the ear’s bacteria and upset the natural pH balance, increasing the likelihood of an ear infection. 

• Ear damage or injury. Your ears are very delicate and too much pressure can cause your eardrum to rupture. This can be extremely painful and in some cases can result in conductive hearing loss. 

• Wax impaction. Trying to clean your ears at home with a cotton wool bud, tweezers or any other tool can result in the wax being pushed further into the ear. This can cause a blockage which can lead to an ear infection or hearing loss. 

• Unnecessary professional cleaning. The majority of people don’t need their ears professionally cleaned, but attempting to clean your ears at home can cause a wax blockage or impaction which then requires a professional to remove. 

According to a survey undertaken by the RNID, only 20% of people who had attempted self-removal of their earwax had been successful. So, attempting to clean your ears at home not only leads to a range of potential ear issues but is also unlikely to actually remove your excess earwax. 

Is It Good to Clean Your Ears With Cotton Buds?

Although many people believe in regularly cleaning out their ears using cotton wool buds, this can damage your ears or push the wax deeper inside your ear canal. This can lead to an earwax blockage which will likely require professional cleaning to remove. 

Can I Use Over-The-Counter Ear Drops to Clean My Ears?

If you have excessive wax in your ears and it’s starting to affect your hearing, over-the-counter ear drops can be effective at removing the wax. However, they will typically only work for small amounts of buildup. Ear drops work by softening the earwax so it can naturally fall out of the ear. 

If the over-the-counter ear drops don’t successfully remove the wax buildup, you’ll need to have your ears cleaned professionally. At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, we recommend that our patients use an ear wax softener such as Earol for 3-5 days before their earwax removal appointment. This helps to soften the wax ensuring the treatment is as effective as possible. 

Why Is Ear Hygiene Important?

Ear hygiene is incredibly important, but for the majority of people, the best way to keep your ears clean and healthy is simply to leave them alone. Your ears are naturally self-cleaning and earwax plays a crucial role in protecting your ears.

The Role of Earwax

Earwax, also known as cerumen, is naturally produced by the ear and helps to lubricate and protect the sensitive skin in your inner ear. Without earwax, our ears would be dry and uncomfortable. 

It is produced by glands in the outer area of the ear and does not form in the deeper part of the ear canal. When you chew or talk, the old earwax moves out of the ear canal and towards the opening of the ear. It then dries and eventually falls out. 

Earwax is important because:

• It acts like a filter, trapping dirt, dust and other irritants and preventing them from entering the ear canal. 

• It protects the delicate skin of the ear canal from water.

• It has antibacterial properties, making our ears naturally self-cleaning. 

However, some people’s glands produce excessive amounts of earwax, more than can be naturally removed by the ear. This excess wax can harden in the ear canal, leading to impaction and hearing problems. A professional ear cleaning will remove the excess wax without causing any damage to the sensitive ear canal and help to improve your hearing. 

Ear Wax Removal With Hearing Excellence Clinic

At the Hearing Excellence Clinic, we provide a range of hearing services in our clinics in Sheffield and Barnsley. Our Lead Audiologist and Clinic Director, Mr Paul Jackson, has over 22 years of qualified experience and has worked with some of the biggest names in the UK.

We offer:

• Microsuction Ear Wax Removal

• Ear Irrigation Wax Removal 

• Premium Endoscopic Ear Wax Removal

If you require ear wax removal in Sheffield or Barnsley, visit our Ear Wax Removal page for more information. For more information on our professional ear wax removal procedure, get in touch with our friendly experienced team.

FAQs

Is It Good to Clean Your Ears Everyday?

No, most people's ears do not require daily cleaning. Ears are self-cleaning and don’t usually require any intervention. If you would like to clean your ears at home, you can gently wipe the outer part of the ear with a soft, damp cloth. However, you shouldn’t do this too frequently as it can lead to an infection or impaction. 

Will Ear Wax Eventually Come Out?

Yes, ear wax typically falls out on its own. When you move your jaw or chew, the ear wax moves down the ear canal and towards the opening of the ear. It then dries and falls out of the ear on its own. 

However, some people’s ears can produce excessive amounts of earwax. This wax then hardens in the ear canal and can cause reduced hearing or a ‘full’ feeling in the ear. If this happens, it’s best to speak to a professional audiologist and get the wax buildup removed professionally. 

Will Ear Wax Removal Help Swimmer’s Ear?

Yes, if you suffer from swimmer’s ear, professional ear wax removal can help to remove the build-up of ear wax, fluid or dead skin which is causing the problem. You'll also need some ear drops to help fight the infection in your ear and help it heal faster.

Will Ear Wax Removal Help an Ear Infection?

Yes, removing earwax can help if you have an ear infection. Symptoms like ear pain, itchiness and hearing loss can be improved by a professional ear cleaning. However, you’ll likely also need a prescription for antibiotics from your doctor if your symptoms continue or the pain is severe. 

An excessive buildup of earwax can trap bacteria increasing the chance of an infection. Professional earwax removal can also help reduce the chance of future ear infections. 

Can Ear Wax Removal Stop Tinnitus?

If your tinnitus is caused by an excessive buildup of wax, professional removal can alleviate your symptoms. As ear wax builds up it can cause the eardrum to vibrate unevenly and can be perceived as imaginary noises. If your tinnitus started at the same time as your earwax buildup, then it’s likely that excessive wax is the cause and a cleaning should lessen or fully remove the symptoms.

Why Is Ear Wax Removal Not Available on the NHS?

Free NHS ear wax removal services were withdrawn across parts of England in 2019 causing millions of people to lose access to free treatment. However, if the wax buildup is linked to hearing loss, it’s still possible to receive micro-suctioning treatment on the NHS but not all GPs offer this service. Alternatively, there are many professional clinics which offer safe and cost-effective earwax removal treatments across the UK.