Earwax is a frequent cause of clogged ears. It can cause muffled hearing, and / or cause you to hear a whirring sound. This should not be painful.Here are some tips to help you safely clean the affected ear (s) at home.

NOTE: If your problem is behind the eardrum to the inner ear or eustachian tube, this solution will not work. Call your doctor

You will need:

Small bowl of warm water

Hydrogen Peroxide

Ear syringe

White vinegar (optional)

Mineral oil (optional)

1. Add some warm water in a bowl (better if you boil it first to reduce the risk of infection-but ALWAYS let it cool).

2. Add an equal (or slightly less) amount of hydrogen peroxide.

3. Fill an ear syringe with this water-hydrogen peroxide mixture.

4. Lie on your side, and insert a small amount of the mixture into the affected ear with the syringe (unaffected side to the "down side").

5. Lying on your side for 10 to 15 minutes. You must be able to hear the bubbling hydrogen peroxide in the ear. Place cotton near your ear lying on your side can help to prevent the waste.

6. Position the second small bowl of the ear when the bubbling stops and the rotary head to drain tube in the bowl but do not force. You can repeat this process until your ear is unclogged.

Tips & Warnings

Do not use a 'waterpik' or other mechanized water jet.

Preventive measure: A mixture of white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and mineral oil (1/3 each in a small bottle fitted with a pipette) should clear out your ears. Squirt a few drops daily for the ears. Hydrogen peroxide will fizz satisfy the itch while killing an infection and to break up earwax. The white vinegar will soften earwax and reduce the risk of infection. The mineral oil will help entice earwax out. This treatment can also be used for pets with ear problems, heavy waxes and ear sensitivity.

You can also use Salt water to clean clogged ear if you don't have hydrogen peroxide at home.

As always, if you are uncomfortable doing this procedure or experiencing pain or hearing loss, do not hesitate to seek professional advice from your doctor.

Do not do this if you have experienced recent head trauma or air travel.