Most common questions used to investigate
Do you feel that your ears are blocked?
Do you have aches in the affected ear?
Do you use cotton swabs?
Do you prefer to use ear drops?
Can you get an appointment with your doctor?
Do you clean your ears often?
Common conclusions
This blocked feeling could be due to the accumulation of earwax that could sometimes even make hearing difficult. This earwax is a self-cleaning agent produced by your body to remove the dirt and bacteria that get accumulated in your ears. Most times, this wax will flow out with jaw movements, but sometimes, it could get accumulated. When you get this filled-up feeling, it is a sure sign that you should clean your ears.
Most times, this is due to accumulated earwax and it tends to happen more often in seniors and those who wear hearing aids or earplugs. Before you remove it yourself, check with your medical practitioner as this accumulation could be due to the shape of your ear canal or could signal serious medical conditions.
Though cotton swabs are one of the most common ways to remove accumulated wax, it is not the most ideal option as it can push the earwax deeper into your ear canal, leading to more complications. So, use cotton swabs only on the outer ear and try to win the inner parts of your ear with a wet or a damp cloth.
Many pharmacies sell over-the-counter ear drops to soften the wax, so you can wipe it away with a wet cloth. These ear drops are particularly useful if earwax has accumulated in your ears for many months. These drops usually contain a mix of mineral oils, peroxide, saline, glycerine, so they are safe to use. The instructions to use them will also be present in the bottle, so simply follow them to remove your earwax safely.
If you can get an appointment with your doctor, that's the best place to remove this earwax. You must visit the doctor if you've been experiencing severe earache as this could mean that your ears are infected because of this accumulation of earwax. Instead of trying to remove it by yourself, ask your doctor to do this for you.
Good, but not required. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to clean your ears often as the body is designed to produce ear wax to remove the dirt and debris that get accumulated in your ears and this will be automatically drained out when you chew, talk, or do any other jaw movement. Even if you clean, stay away from cotton swabs and ear candles.
You should still be good unless you have other conditions like diabetes, a hole in your eardrum, a compromised immune system, or tubes in the affected ear. If you have any of these, make an appointment, and get your ears cleaned regularly at the doctor's office.
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