Ear Wax Removal Tools

Ear wax is a very common problem of the ears. As many of us believe it to be a dirty thing. Actually, it is not so, it is the natural mechanism of the body to protect the ear drum and throw out any foreign particles that enter the ears. Children and elderly people are most badly affected by this. Most of us think that any pointed and long thing that can be inserted into the ear can be used as ear removal tool. So, we pick up anything around us like car keys, bobby pins and paper clips to remove the ear wax. Cotton swabs are believed to be a safe tool. However, the truth is that it is not safe for the ear drums. Another disadvantage of ear swabs is that it tends to push the ear wax further into the ear canal. The right ear wax removal tools are necessary because the ear canal and ear drum are sensitive parts of our body and even a mild, abnormal touch can cause injury or damage to them. The job of ear wax removal takes just a few minutes when you use the right kind of tools.

Ear Wax Removal Tools: Ear Drops
Instead of using any ear drops that are available over the counter, use carbamide peroxide solution for ear wax removal. It helps to make the ear wax soft and loose and ear wax removal becomes an easy task. Put a few drops of this solution into the ear and then block the ear with small cotton plugs. Wait for about half an hour when the foams of the carbamide solution will break up the ear wax. During this time, you may hear the bubbling sound of the foams in your ear. After half an hour, take out the cotton plug and wash of the outer portion of the ear with warm water. You can use a rubber syringe for the washing process.

However, carabamide peroxide solution is not suitable for everyone. Those who are allergic towards this chemical should not use it. If there are symptoms of any ear infection or injury like any kind of liquid discharge, bleeding or pain, it should not be used without consulting the doctor. It should not be given to children below 12 years of age. In case, after using this solution for 4 days, you are unable to get any relief you should consult the doctor immediately.

Ear Wax Removal Tools: Ototek Loop
This is a very simple ear wax removal tool and can be used at home for removing ear wax. You do not have to visit the physician. It is made up of plastic and is long in shape and consist of a small loop at its one end. Slip in the looped end inside the ear carefully along one side of the ear and move it over to the other side. As a result, the ear wax will get scooped into the loop and when you take out the loop the ear wax will easily come out of the ear. Due to the narrow tip of the loop, there is no possibility of the ear wax getting pushed inside.

Ear Wax Removal Tools: Irrigation and Curette
This is mainly used for the removal of dry flakes of ear wax. This technique should not be attempted at home. When you visit a doctor for ear wax removal, the first thing the doctor will do is to wash out the ear wax by putting warm water into the ear canal using a syringe. This warm water will loosen up the ear wax and then it is washed out. This process of ear wax cleaning is known as irrigation. In some cases, this does not show up the desired result and then the doctors use the curette technique. Curette is a small ear wax removal tool made of metal that has a ring at one of its end. It should be used by skilled professionals only. Curette is a painful method of ear wax removal. Irrigation too may be a cause of a lot of discomfort.

Ear Wax Removal Tools: Ear Candling
This is an age old technique of ear wax removal using the heat of the candle and has gained popularity recently. Here, a hollow candle made of beeswax is lit up and the base is placed in the ear canal for a brief period of time. It is believed that a vacuum is created by the burning flame of the candle, which helps to suck out the ear wax. Once the wax is removed from the canal, you can see its base turned dark brown. Though most of the researchers opine that it is not only an ineffective tool, but can also be dangerous if any hot molten wax falls into the ear canal when the ear candling instructions are not followed properly. Ear candling can cause permanent damage to the ear. There is also the risk of the skin and hair getting burned.

The problem of ear wax should not be neglected as it can lead to other ear problems like severe pain, hearing loss and cough. Though some of the ear wax removal tools we have discussed here can be used at home, it is advisable to consult a physician before you use any of them.