Clogged ear? Grandma knows best!

Is your ear blocked? Grandma knows how annoying that is. Fortunately, you can clean your ears at home with a damp washcloth or over-the-counter drops. If your ears are badly blocked, a doctor can remove the earwax. Do your ears feel blocked? Excess earwax can sometimes build up and make hearing difficult.

At the same time, you've probably read that using cotton swabs is not a safe way to remove earwax. Here are some grandma's tips for blocked ears. Discover how to safely clean your ears (or have them cleaned), what you definitely shouldn't do, and when to contact your GP.

Symptoms of blockage

Earwax (or cerumen) is a self-cleaning agent that your body produces. It collects dirt, bacteria, and other waste. Usually, earwax naturally exits the ears through chewing and other jaw movements.

Many people never need to clean their ears. But sometimes earwax can build up and affect your hearing. When earwax reaches this level, it is called impaction.

If you suffer from impaction, you may experience symptoms such as:

• Reduced hearing in the affected ear
• An odor from the affected ear
• Pain in the affected ear
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Coughing

You are more likely to have excess earwax if you use hearing aids or earplugs. Older adults and people with developmental disabilities are also at higher risk. The shape of your ear canal can make natural earwax removal difficult.

Are my ears blocked due to a cold?

According to grandma, a cold can also make your ears feel blocked or clogged, specifically due to accumulated mucus in the Eustachian tube, which causes pressure and muffled hearing. You will notice this by a feeling of pressure in your ears, muffled sound, and sometimes earache.

Grandmas know that blocked ears due to earwax usually feel different, with a specific blockage and often less pain. With a cold, it can also be accompanied by nasal congestion and a general fullness in the head.

How can you clear a blocked ear yourself?

According to grandma, the best and safest solution for a blocked ear is a visit to your GP. The GP can use special instruments for blocked ears, such as a cerumen spoon, forceps, or suction device, to effectively and quickly remove the blockage.

If you want to try to clear your blocked ear yourself, grandma suggests dripping a few drops of warm (baby) oil at body temperature into the ear while lying on your side. Wait a few minutes for the oil to penetrate deep into the ear canal.

Do this very carefully to avoid damage to the ear. Then get up and tilt your head to let the oil and dissolved earwax drain out. Do not use cotton swabs, as they can make the problem worse.

The best solution for a blocked ear? See your GP!

If you choose to try to remove earwax at home, the following methods are the safest to try yourself:

Damp cloth

Cotton swabs can push earwax deeper into the ear canal. Only use cotton swabs on the outside of your ear or, even better, try wiping the area with a warm, damp washcloth.

Ear drops

There are also special ear drops that grandmas buy to soften their earwax. These drops are usually a solution. They may contain:

• Mineral oil
• Baby oil
• Glycerin
• Peroxide
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Saline solution

Put the indicated number of drops in your ear, wait for a certain time, and then let your ear drain or rinse it out. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Contact a doctor if your symptoms persist after treatment.

Rinsing your ears yourself

If you experience ear blockages quite often, you might consider rinsing your ears at home with an ear syringe, as some grandmas do. This tool, similar to a small bulb with a nozzle, can help remove excess earwax.

However, be careful not to spray too forcefully to avoid damaging the eardrum. The goal is to gently flush water through the ear, carrying the earwax with it.

And also important: If your eardrum is damaged, you absolutely must avoid this method!

What is the best thing to do for blocked ears?

1. Ask your doctor to remove the earwax in their office.
2. Clean the outside of your ear with a damp cloth.
3. If you choose to use cotton swabs, do not insert them into the ear canal.
4. You can use earwax softener to make the earwax softer, so it can be removed more easily.

Why cleaning your ears is important

A little earwax is perfectly normal and good to have in your ear canal, according to grandma's advice. That being said, if it builds up and starts causing symptoms, such as muffled hearing or dizziness, it's important to clean it.

If earwax builds up and becomes impacted, you can get an ear infection. Moreover, if you experience symptoms of blockage, you want to make sure it's just earwax and not something (like fluid or hearing loss) that requires more medical attention.

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How often should I clean my ears?

According to grandma, you don't want to clean your ears too often. If you do, it can irritate your ear canal or even lead to more blockage if you do it incorrectly. Experts say that people don't need to clean their ears unless they regularly experience problems like blockages. Instead, your ears clean themselves naturally.

Many people therefore do not need to clean their ears regularly. The earwax should take care of itself. If you use small objects, such as bobby pins, cotton swabs, or napkin corners, you can push the earwax deep into the ear canal. Once earwax builds up, it can bounce around.

By the way, never use sharp objects to clean your blocked ear, and also no cotton swabs or anything else that could damage your eardrum and permanently damage your hearing.

Ear candling is another option that, according to grandma, you should avoid. The long, cone-shaped candles are inserted into the ear canal and then lit to suck up earwax. The fire can injure you, or you might accidentally get earwax from the candle into your ear.

You shouldn't clean your ears too often.

Complications

If you get a blockage and don't treat it, your symptoms can worsen. You may experience further ear irritation and even hearing loss. The earwax can also build up to such an extent that it becomes difficult for your doctor to look into your ear and diagnose other problems.

When should you contact a doctor?

Symptoms of earwax blockage include:

• Feeling of fullness in the ear
• Reduced or muffled hearing
• Ear pain

They can also indicate another medical problem, such as an infection. A doctor can look into your ears to determine if your symptoms are due to earwax buildup or something else.

Signs of an ear infection in adults include:

• Middle ear pain
• Fluid discharge
• Reduced hearing

Symptoms of an ear infection usually develop quickly. If you notice pain and discharge from your ears, do not try to treat it yourself. Make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis and, if necessary, medication.

If you experience earwax impaction more than once a year or have certain risk factors, tell your doctor. It is best to schedule a professional cleaning every 6 to 12 months.

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Why your ears produce earwax

Earwax may seem dirty, but it's actually a natural cleaner for your ears. Earwax usually moves from the inside of your ear canal to the outside of your ear. During its journey, it picks up dead skin cells, dirt, and even hair.

Tests show that earwax has antibacterial and antifungal properties that further aid in cleaning.

How to protect your ears

Besides keeping your ears clean, follow these grandma's tips to protect them and ensure good hearing for years to come:

• Do not insert small objects into your ears. You should not put anything smaller than your elbow into your ear canal, as this can damage your eardrum or cause earwax impaction.
• Limit your exposure to loud noises. Wear protective headgear or earplugs if the noise gets too loud.
• Take regular breaks from using your headphones and keep the volume low enough so that no one else can hear your music. Do not turn up the volume of your car's sound system too high.
• Dry your ears after swimming to prevent swimmer's ear. Use a cloth to wipe the outside of your ear and tilt your head to remove extra water.
• Pay attention to hearing changes that occur with the use of certain medications. If you notice changes, balance problems, or ringing in your ears, contact a doctor.
• See a doctor as soon as possible if you notice sudden pain or hearing loss, or if you have an ear injury.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can a blocked ear last?

The duration of a blocked ear depends on the cause. With simple earwax buildup, it can take a few days to a week to improve on its own, especially if you use home treatments like ear drops.

However, if the blockage is due to an infection, allergies, or a sudden change in pressure (such as during air travel), it may take longer and require medical treatment. In such cases, the blocked feeling can persist for several weeks.

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Can a blocked ear clear up on its own?

A blocked ear can often clear up on its own, especially if it's caused by temporary factors such as water in the ear, minor earwax buildup, or pressure differences. The body can usually resolve these problems itself. If the blocked feeling persists, worsens, or is accompanied by pain or hearing loss, it is advisable to seek medical advice.

How often can you put olive oil in your ear?

The use of olive oil to soften earwax and relieve blockages is a commonly used solution in the "how to clear a blocked ear yourself, grandma knows best" book. Generally, grandmas advise dripping a few drops of warm (not hot) olive oil into the ear once or twice a day, for a maximum of one week.

If there is no improvement within this period or if symptoms such as pain, itching, or hearing loss persist, it is important to stop using it and seek medical advice. Prolonged use without consulting a doctor is not recommended, as it can cause unintended complications.

Conclusion

Earwax plays a crucial role in the self-cleaning function of our ears, but excessive earwax can lead to blockage and reduced hearing. Grandma's safe cleaning methods include using a damp washcloth, special ear drops, and the very best solution remains professional removal by your GP.