How to Unclog Blocked Ears—What’s the Most Effective Way?

Do your ears feel blocked, and are you dealing with muffled hearing, dizziness, or sudden hearing loss? A buildup of earwax could be the culprit.

Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural substance made inside our ears to keep our ear canals clean and protected from dirt or debris affecting the eardrum. However, it can sometimes get stuck when it cannot remove itself as usual, and earwax impaction can lead to hearing challenges, earaches and headaches, and dizziness.

When you think of cleaning your ears, chances are that you think of reaching for a cotton swab, but these seemingly handy little tools aren’t the safest method for cleaning your ears. Cotton swabs can push earwax farther into your ear, making the impaction worse.

If you’re looking for efficient and safe ear-cleaning methods, there are a few ways you can clean your ears at home to alleviate clogs—but if you’re still struggling, there are some things best left to the professionals.

How Can I Clean My Ears at Home?

Several pharmacies and drugstores offer over-the-counter eardrops, typically composed of mineral oils to soften wax and help it drop out of your ears naturally.

To use these eardrops, simply tilt your head so the affected ear faces the ceiling. Drop the eardrops into your ear canal and allow them to deeply penetrate your ear canal and soften the earwax.

Tilt your head in the opposite direction to let the earwax and remaining drops fall out, then repeat for the other ear.

Earwax typically removes itself, but it can get stuck on our outer ears, leading to itchiness and discomfort. To clean your outer ears, simply get a damp washcloth and give your ears a gentle wipe down to remove excess wax.

Do not insert the washcloth into your ears, as this can damage your ears or leave residual water inside your ear.

Comprehensive Hearing Care With Professional Guidance

If at-home methods provide little relief, and you’re still struggling with clogged ears or blocked hearing, it’s important to get it checked out by a professional to ensure it isn’t affecting the rest of your health.

While earwax impactions can be quickly removed with professional help, they can lead to permanent hearing loss if not addressed efficiently. If you’re concerned that your hearing health has been affected by earwax impaction, we’re here to help you address it.

We can take a look inside your ears and see what’s going on with your earwax impaction, then help you address it with comprehensive hearing care and advanced solutions.