15 W. Dry Creek Circle                                                                                           6169 S. Balsam Way; Suite 290
         Littleton, CO  80120-4427                                                                                                                                   Littleton, Colorado  80123
     Phone: (303)  798-1309                                                                                                                                        Fax: (303) 798-2319
Ear, Nose & Throat Center
Specialists of the Ear, Nose and Throat   /  Head and Neck Surgery  /  Facial Plastic Surgery
Evaluation  of  Dizziness  &  Vestibular Disorders

For more information see us at our web site !      http://www.ENT Center.Net
   

Instructions for Patients with
Ear Wax Accumulation

Ear wax ( cerumen )   is a necessary part of your ears physiology.  Cerumen  is secreted by modified sweat glands in the lining of the ear canal.  It keeps the ear moist and it has an antimicrobial action that inhibits bacterial and fungal growth.   Unfortunately, in people with narrow ear canals the wax may clump and clog the ear canal. This is a normal occurrence that some people are more prone to than other people. This can cause hearing loss and eventual outer ear infection. To remove the cerumen most people can irrigate their ear by following the instructions below.  If you have a perforated ear drum, pus draining from the ear or tympanostomy tubes in DO NOT attempt the below measures. By using a few easily obtained materials from your local pharmacy you should be able to prevent cerumen impactions  in the future.

Please obtain hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, white vinegar, and a soft rubber baby bulb syringe. You should be able to obtain these at your local drug store.  If you can't find them ask the pharmacist for help.

The best way to do this is just before a bath, so that you will not get your clothes wet or dirty.  First you need to mix up the liquids you will use to irrigate your ear. The peroxide should be mixed with an equal  volume of clean tap water. Mix a half cup of peroxide to a half cup of water. The water should be slightly warm. Follow the next steps:

1.    Lie down on your side with the ear upward
2.    The outer flap of your ear should be pulled gently upward and backward to straighten the ear canal.
3.    Gently use the soft rubber baby bulb syringe and irrigate the half strength peroxide into your ear with a small steady amount of    
       pressure.
4.    Keep your head turned for five minutes letting the peroxide bubble. This will soften the wax.


Then irrigate the ear with room temperature clean tap water several times. This should bring out all the wax. If the plugging is resolved no further measures are required.

If difficulties persist then follow the instructions below:

Use a solution made of equal amounts of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and vinegar. Mix about one half cup of vinegar to one half cup of alcohol. Keep this mixture at room temperature. If it is too warm or cold It could make you dizzy. Use this solution as follows:

1.     Lie down on your side with the ear upward.
    2.     The outer flap of your ear should be pulled gently upward and backward to straighten the ear canal.
3.     Gently use the soft rubber baby bulb syringe and irrigate the vinegar and alcohol mixture into your ear with a small steady
        amount of pressure.
    4.     Keep your head turned for five minutes; letting the mixture further soften the wax.

Then irrigate the ear with room temperature clean tap water several times. This should bring out all the wax.

This should be repeated every one or two weeks.

If this is unsuccessful do not try any other methods.  Q-tips will NOT work and only impact the ear more severely.   Please call our office to arrange an appointment.   We have specialized equipment that can painlessly remove the impaction.  Call : 303 / 798-1309.