How to Prevent Ear Wax Build Up

Ear wax is called cerumen by the medical community. According to the McKinley Health Center, cerumen is derived from the Latin word cera, or wax 1. Despite this, ear wax is not wax, but a mixture of dead skin, hair and fatty secretions produced by glands in the ear canal. Ear wax protects the ear by trapping dirt, keeping it from reaching the sensitive inner ear. According to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, excessive ear wax affects 10 percent of children and 5 percent of adults 3. Preventing wax build up involves keeping the wax soft so that the ear’s natural wax removal process can handle it.

Fill an eye dropper with mineral oil, olive oil or baby oil.

Tilt your head so that the affected ear is pointing toward the ceiling.

Apply four or five drops of the oil into your ear canal from the dropper.

Maintain your head in the ear-up position for about three minutes so the oil can penetrate into the ear wax.

Tilt your head so your ear is pointing toward the floor and let any excess oil drain out. Use a tissue or towel to wipe your ear canal.

Repeat this procedure twice a day for up to four or five days. Often, this is enough to prevent wax build up. Doing this seasonally can prevent repeated visits to your doctor’s office for wax removal.