Tips on Safe Ear Cleaning

Hello, Singapore! I’m Dr. Leslie Koh, an otolaryngologist practising in our vibrant city. In my years of practice, I have encountered countless young and old patients who’ve faced preventable ear issues simply due to misunderstandings about ear care. Today, let us unravel the myths and focus on safe, effective practices to keep your ears healthy.

Earwax, or cerumen, is often misunderstood. Many see it as a nuisance, but it’s one of your body’s clever defences. This sticky substance traps dust repels water, and even has mild antibacterial properties to protect your delicate ear canal. However, in Singapore’s tropical climate, where humidity hovers around 80% year-round, earwax can sometimes accumulate faster than usual. Combine this with habits like frequent earbud use or swimming, and you might find yourself dealing with frequent blockage or discomfort. Let’s explore how to care for your ears without disrupting their natural balance.

Recognising Earwax Buildup Symptoms

How do you know if your ears need attention? Many patients rush to clean their ears at the first sign of itchiness, but overzealous cleaning often worsens the problem. Here’s what to watch for:

Earache or a sensation of fullness: This is not just a minor annoyance. A blocked ear can feel heavy as if something is pressing inward. Patients describe it as wearing an earplug they cannot remove. This often worsens after showers or swimming, as the water gets trapped behind the wax.
Muffled hearing: If voices sound distant or if you find yourself asking people to repeat themselves in noisy environments such as hawker centres, wax buildup might be the culprit. One patient thought her hearing aids were faulty—only to discover her ears were clogged with wax!
Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing): This symptom can be unsettling. While tinnitus has many causes, wax pressing against the eardrum can trigger temporary ringing. A young office worker once visited me in panic, convinced she had a serious condition—relief came after a simple wax removal procedure.
Itching or odour: Persistent itching, especially with a faint unpleasant smell, often signals bacterial growth behind trapped wax. Teenagers using earbuds for hours are particularly prone to this.
Dizziness or balance issues: Though rare, severe blockage can affect the inner ear’s equilibrium sensors. An avid diver once experienced vertigo after a dive; it resolved once we cleared his impacted wax.

A quick tip: Before assuming your ears are blocked, check your devices! Clean earbuds with an alcohol wipe—sometimes debris on the device mimics hearing issues.

Safest Methods for Ear Cleaning

Damp Cloth – Your First Line of Defense

Your ears are natural self-cleaning machines. Jaw movements from talking or chewing naturally push wax toward the outer ear, where it dries and flakes off. Focus on cleaning only the visible parts of your ear. After a shower, gently wipe the outer folds with a soft, damp cloth. For children, turn this into a fun bath-time ritual—use a washcloth shaped like their favourite animal to make it engaging.

Ear Drops – Softening Stubborn Wax

When wax feels hard or stuck, over-the-counter drops like Cerumol (available at Guardian) or Waxsol (found at Watsons) can help. These solutions contain oils or hydrogen peroxide to soften wax. Here’s how to use them safely:

Tilt your head sideways, pulling the earlobe gently to straighten the canal.
Apply 2–3 drops to the ear. You might hear a fizzing sound—this is normal.
Stay tilted for 5 minutes to let the solution penetrate. Place a tissue under your ear to catch drips.
Repeat once daily for 3–5 days.

Important: Avoid drops if you’ve had ear surgery, a perforated eardrum, or ear tubes. When in doubt, ask your GP.

Bulb Syringe – Gentle Irrigation at Home

For wax that refuses to budge, a bulb syringe can flush it out. This method may be used after 3–5 days of ear drops for best results:

Fill the syringe with body-temperature water (test it on your wrist like baby formula). Cold water can cause dizziness; hot water risks burns.
Tilt your head over a sink. Gently pull the earlobe upward to straighten the canal.
Squeeze the bulb to direct a soft stream of water toward the ear canal wall—not directly into the canal. Let the water drain out, carrying wax with it.
Pat the ear dry with a towel.

Caution: Never force water into the ear. If the wax remains stuck after 2–3 attempts, stop and consult a professional.

Why Ear Cleaning is Important

Healthy ears do more than just let you enjoy the chatter at Kopitiams or the roar of lions at the Singapore Zoo. Proper care prevents:

Infections: Trapped wax creates a damp, warm environment perfect for bacteria. We have treated swimmers with “swimmer’s ear” (otitis externa) caused by wax and pool water mix.
Hearing loss: Severe blockages muffle sounds, making it hard to follow conversations or hear doorbells. One elderly patient thought her hearing aids were broken—it was just wax!
Social anxiety: Persistent itching or odour can make anyone self-conscious. A teacher once avoided parent-teacher meetings due to wax-related ear odour—a quick clinic visit solved her dilemma.

In our fast-paced society, where communication is key, ear health impacts work, relationships, and even road safety (imagine not hearing a honking car!).

How Often Should You Clean Your Ears?

Less is more. For most people, a weekly wipe of the outer ear with a damp cloth suffices. Only use drops or irrigation if you notice symptoms like muffled hearing.

Exceptions:

Older adults: Wax tends to dry and harden with age. A monthly ear drop regimen with wax solvents might help.
Hearing aid users: Devices push wax deeper. Clean aids daily and check ears monthly.
Swimmers: Rinse ears with fresh water after swimming to prevent wax-trapped moisture.

What to Avoid – Common Pitfalls in Singapore

Cotton swabs/Q-tips: These push wax deeper, creating impaction. We have removed swab tips lodged in ears more times than we can count!
Household items: Hairpins, keys, or even chopsticks scratch the ear canal. One patient used a pencil eraser—it got stuck!
Ear candles: Popular at “wellness” spas, these risk burns, wax drips, and even eardrum perforations.
Overcleaning: Daily scrubbing strips of protective wax, leading to dry, itchy ears.

Risks of Improper Cleaning

Aggressive habits can lead to:

Ear infections: Scratches from objects let bacteria invade. A teenager using a hairpin developed a painful infection requiring antibiotics.
Perforated eardrums: This causes sudden pain, hearing loss, and fluid leakage. Repair often needs surgery.
Impacted wax: Compacted wax requires professional removal. A construction worker ignored his blockage until he couldn’t hear machinery—a safety hazard!
Tinnitus or vertigo: Rough cleaning can disturb inner ear fluids, triggering dizziness.

How to Protect Your Ears in Singapore’s Environment

Post-swim care: Dry ears with a soft towel.
Earbud hygiene: Wipe earbuds daily and limit use to 60 minutes at a time. Noise-cancelling headphones reduce the need for high volumes.
Earplugs: Use silicone plugs at loud events like ZoukOut or construction sites. Custom-moulded options are available at clinics.
Humidity control: Use a dehumidifier at home to prevent excess ear moisture.

When to See an ENT Specialist

Visit a clinic if you experience:

Persistent pain or discharge: Yellow/green fluid signals infection.
Sudden hearing loss: This could indicate wax blockage or other serious issues.
Blood or pus: Never ignore these—they require immediate attention.
Severe dizziness: Could relate to inner ear problems beyond wax.
Failed home treatments: If drops and irrigation don’t work after 1–2 weeks.

At our clinic, we use microsuction—a gentle vacuum—or picks and curettes (tiny scoops) under microscope guidance. The process is quick, and painless, and may be covered by your insurance. Contact us today!

Final Thoughts

Your ears are delicate instruments, not meant for DIY “mining expeditions”. Embrace gentle care, and let nature handle the rest. When problems arise, remember: We are here to help. After all, life’s too short to miss the symphony of our city—from the clatter of Kopitiam plates to the soothing rainstorms that cool our island.

Stay well, and keep listening to the world around you!