6 Things Experts Know About Getting Rid of Earwax

It may look like gunk, but earwax (aka cerumen) helps decrease infections in the ear and keeps the skin in the ear canal clean, says Barnes. "As wax is naturally pushed out, it takes anything trapped in the ear canal, like dirt and dust, with it." So, guess what? Unless you're potentially suffering from a wax blockage (possible clues: you can't hear as well as usual or it sounds like you're underwater), you don't need to clean inside your ears. Simply use a washcloth when you're in the shower to wipe off any excess wax from the bowl of your ears, and you're good to go.