6 Things Experts Know About Getting Rid of Earwax

When your ears feel full of waxy buildup and sounds are muffled, there is a safe at-home remedy that may clear the blockage. "Over-the-counter wax-softening drops or saline solutions are generally good at removing the wax. Studies looking at the two types of drops show that both can be quite effective,” says Seth Schwartz, MD, medical director of the Listen for Life Center at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle. (One example of over-the-counter ear drops are carbamide peroxide products.) For a DIY home remedy, you can also use one to two drops of mineral oil in the ear every night for one to two weeks, says Barnes. If symptoms don't improve, make an appointment with your doctor. They'll want to rule out other causes of "fullness," like an ear infection or actual hearing loss.