# Is earwax cleaning a scam? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 22, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886 "2013-08-22T16:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/21 "2013-08-22T19:54:43Z")
Just a warning. If the ear cleaning at home doesn’t work, see a doctor. I had a full sensation in my ear too, and my ears were actually squeaky clean – the problem was pseudotumor cerebri (too much fluid around the brain). Could have been something even more serious. ---
**Author:** ![EdwardLost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/22 "2013-08-22T20:10:00Z")
> [@aNewLeaf](#): > > Well, if I’m ever in Vietnam and have some extra cash, I’ll think about it. > > From the linked article: > Quote: > In fact, the ear has a G-spot, said Dr. Todd Dray, Rule 34: it’s not just for the internet anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Bob\_Blaylock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_blaylock/32/3235_2.png) [@Bob\_Blaylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bob_Blaylock)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/23 "2013-08-22T21:40:46Z")
I once went deaf for some time in my left ear. On examination, a doctor found that there was a big lump of earwax up against the eardrum, preventing it from doing its thing. Money was very tight, at that point, so I didn’t feel I could afford to pay the doctor the $80 he wanted to clean it out; so I resorted to all sorts of do-it-yourself attempts, using various chemicals. I started, of course, by using [Debrox](http://www.debrox.com/), which is a product made specifically for this purpose; but it didn’t seem to be able to budge this blockage at all. I ended up trying all sorts of other various oils and solvents that I had on hand, the vast majority of which are probably generally a bad idea to use this way. What finally seemed to do the trick was a chemical that is supposed to be used for degreasing car engines. I can’t say for sure that this did it by itself, or whether it only worked because previous chemicals had sufficiently loosened the wax to the point that whatever I tried next was going to get it out. The best advice that I would offer is to make regular proper use of something like [Debrox](http://www.debrox.com/), to keep the wax from accumulating to the point that more drastic measures will be needed to get it out. Also, look into a device called the [Ototek Loop](http://www.ototekloop.com/), for physically scraping out wax that isn’t in too deep to be beyond its reach. And as others have already said, stay away from “ear candling”. It is a potentially dangerous, and otherwise worthless scam. There is no realistic possibility of any benefit from it, and a significant danger of harm. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/24 "2013-08-22T21:44:59Z")
> [@Bob\_Blaylock](#): > > Also, look into a device called the [Ototek Loop](http://www.ototekloop.com/), for physically scraping out wax that isn’t in too deep to be beyond its reach. I will occasionally make my own version of that, from a paperclip. Straighten it out on one end, crimp the loop on the other end, and go to town (CAREFULLY!). ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/25 "2013-08-22T21:46:27Z")
> [@Mk\_VII](#): > > I went to the doctors to have it done last week, and I needed it too as the ear had been blocked for days despite dripping olive oil into it … How would olive oil help? It’s just another lipid, not a solvent of any kind. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/26 "2013-08-22T22:00:10Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I will occasionally make my own version of that, from a paperclip. Straighten it out on one end, crimp the loop on the other end, and go to town (CAREFULLY!). Or a bobby pin. No modifications needed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/27 "2013-08-22T22:01:43Z")
oils are solvents for fatty/greasy/waxy substances on an all depends basis. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/28 "2013-08-22T22:14:33Z")
Medical advice is best suited to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/29 "2013-08-22T22:36:32Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > And yes, I now have a super-duper nifty new headset that I can wear instead of the earbuds, because lying on my side for 20 minutes with hydrogen peroxide in my ear is no damn fun. Speak for yourself, I like the tingly bubbles, and the ‘swirlies’ I get. > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > My ex-boyfriend referred to it as an “audio enema”. 😛 _snicker_ > [@fluiddruid](#): > > J my ears were actually squeaky clean. Squeeky clean isn’t a term I thought I would hear about ears 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Daylate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9dc877/32.png) [@Daylate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daylate)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/30 "2013-08-22T22:38:01Z")
All those so-called earwax softeners don’t do squat for me. As I am evidently one of the world’s most prolific producers of earwax, I’ve decided that it’s a lot less aggravation to just go into the doc about once every four months and get the ears hosed out. Takes about 10 minutes, and except for the $15 copay, costs nothing because of insurance. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/31 "2013-08-22T22:59:54Z")
I use a 1:1:2 mixture of vinegar water & peroxide. [See this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=10777853) to see how effective it is. The most important part is to warm the mixture up to body temperature. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/32 "2013-08-22T23:00:03Z")
> [@Bob\_Blaylock](#): > > What finally seemed to do the trick was a chemical that is supposed to be used for degreasing car engines. > > … > > And as others have already said, stay away from “ear candling”. It is a potentially dangerous… No comment necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/33 "2013-08-23T00:28:55Z")
Sort of, well actually pretty gross: I once had such a dense build up of wax that debrox only made it worse. It only desolved the top layer, but trapped the rest, so I was stuck with a huge piece of wax AND a build up fluid in my ear. It was so bad it hurt and I couldn’t hear. It took forever for the doctor to flush it out. ☹ I ended up soaked, too. The next time I had it done, I brought my raincoat. Seriously. 😛 (Yeah, I’ve got waxy ears. Ugh! Fortunately I haven’t had to have them flushed in ages) ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/34 "2013-08-23T04:53:06Z")
[Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQ5W0Hxab40) is a take on the importance of cleaning out ears by Johnny Earwax and Principal Schwinger and the crew of **The Adventures of Pete and Pete**. ---
**Author:** ![JLRogers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@JLRogers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JLRogers)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/35 "2013-08-23T07:34:20Z")
Forget hydrogen peroxide. According to my GP’s advice and my own personal experience the best solution to wax buildup is the liquid stool softener Colace or one of the generic versions thereof (i.e., docusate sodium). Just drip into the offending ear and wait a few minutes. Then fill your irrigation syringe with warm water and have at it. Unlike HP the Colace will soften hard wax. If you have particularly problematic ears a drop in each one before bed will keep plugs from forming in the first place. [It’s cheap too.](http://www.amazon.com/Docusate-Sodium-Liquid-Softener-Laxative/dp/B0057EPH20) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/36 "2013-08-23T12:04:00Z")
I’ve had to have my ears flushed a couple of times. Nowadays I let warm shower water spray into my ears during my shower every day, and use a Q tip to clean them out. This takes care of most of the wax. Occasionally I have to use a bobby pin to remove the wax, either with or without using a commercial wax softening preparation. I’ve also put a little astringent on a Q tip and used that to help get wax out. My doctor thinks that my outer ear canals are quite clean. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/37 "2013-08-23T13:06:00Z")
> [@JLRogers](#): > > Forget hydrogen peroxide. According to my GP’s advice and my own personal experience the best solution to wax buildup is the liquid stool softener Colace or one of the generic versions thereof (i.e., docusate sodium). Just drip into the offending ear and wait a few minutes. Then fill your irrigation syringe with warm water and have at it. Unlike HP the Colace will soften hard wax. If you have particularly problematic ears a drop in each one before bed will keep plugs from forming in the first place. > > [It’s cheap too.](http://www.amazon.com/Docusate-Sodium-Liquid-Softener-Laxative/dp/B0057EPH20) I was just stopping in to recommend this. It’s what I use on my patients in the ER. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/38 "2013-08-23T13:33:16Z")
I get my ears cleaned out every year as part of my annual check-in. “Audio enema” – heh! It’s true – when the big clump finally gives up its toehold it feels great. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/39 "2013-08-23T14:00:01Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I will occasionally make my own version of that, from a paperclip. Straighten it out on one end, crimp the loop on the other end, and go to town (CAREFULLY!). I have one of those on my desk right now. And I thought I was the only one… ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886/40 "2013-08-23T14:51:28Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > I have one of those on my desk right now. And I thought I was the only one… I started using it when I realized that Q-tips generally just push everything further up in. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-earwax-cleaning-a-scam/666886.md?page=3)