Welcome to Chinook Hearing Clinics

* Wax traps dust, germs and foreign particles, preventing them from damaging the eardrum. 
* Wax naturally dries up transporting itself and the particles out of the ear eventually. 
* By coating and moisturizing the ear canal walls, wax acts as a temporary water repellent. 

* The ear canal is shaped like an hourglass, narrowing half way down. 
* Earwax is not formed close to the eardrum deep inside the ear, but rather it forms on the outer part of the canal. 
* Wax build up is the result of "ramrods". 


* Q-tips
* Bobby pins 
* Twisted napkin corners 
* Fingers 
* Toothpicks (yes…toothpicks) 
* Pen lids


* Realize the ear is a "self-cleaning" mechanism that disposes of the wax in a slow and orderly migration. 
* Only when advised by your doctor or audiologist that a wax build-up exists. 


* Find out from your doctor or audiologist if a build-up is present to necessitate removal and; have him/her remove it at that time through irrigation, vacuum, or use of special wax removal tools. 
* Ears that produce excessive wax and impact the canal often may be treated monthly using the following: 
- Over-the-counter wax softeners (i.e.: Murine) 
- Baking Soda (2 tsp.) and Water (1 cup) Mixture 
- Hydrogen Peroxide


Fill an eyedropper with the solution and put 2-3 drops in the affected ear twice a day for 1-2 days. Your hearing may temporarily decrease due to the expansion of the dissolving earwax. Gently irrigate the ear with a bulb syringe in the shower to help remove the dissolved wax. 

**CAUTION: Do not use these remedies if you are experiencing pain in your ears, if you have had ear surgery, or you have ever punctured your eardrum.