Table of contents:
- Get to know the anatomy of the human ear
- What is earwax?
- Do you need to do how to clean your ears yourself?
- What is the wrong way to do when cleaning your ears?
- 1. Using cotton bud or other tools
- 2. Using ear candle
- 3. Too often cleaning the ears
- How to clean the ears properly?
- 1. Use ear drops
- 2. Use olive oil or baby oil
- 3. Perform routine ear examinations to the ENT doctor
Cleaning your ears should not be careless. The reason is, the ear is one of the most important and sensitive organs. That is why you should be careful when cleaning your ears. So, how do you clean your ears properly and safely? Check out the guide in this article.
Get to know the anatomy of the human ear
Before knowing how to properly clean your ears, it's good to first understand the anatomy of your own ear. Broadly speaking, the human ear consists of three parts, namely:
- Outer ear (outer ear). This section serves to capture sound and localize the sound.
- Middle ear (middle ear). This section serves to deliver the sound that has been collected from the earlobe to the inner ear.
- Inner ear (inner ear). This part of the ear is called the cavity labyrinth, which helps to maintain balance in the body and transmits sound to the central nervous system.
The three parts of the ear become channels for sound from outside to enter and be translated in the brain. The brain then translates this signal as sound.
After knowing the ear anatomy, you will understand that the ear is not only a hearing tool, but also a balance of the body. Yes, ears help maintain balance so you can walk, jump and run without falling.
If you feel interference in the ear, immediately check your health with a doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
What is earwax?
Many people think that the liquid is yellow (earwax) inside the ear is earwax. In fact, not so. In fact, every human being will produce earwax, a slightly sticky yellow substance for:
- Prevent infection
- Moisturizes the ear canal
- Protects the eardrum
Each person produces quantities and types earwax that varies, depending on genetic factors and possibly the underlying health condition.
Its sticky structure traps foreign objects such as pollutants, insects, and debris that enter the ear so it doesn't interfere with the ear's work.
Without determining how to clean it, the ear already has the ability to clean and remove wax on its own. So, normally earwax won't clog your hearing canal.
When you chew or move your jaw while talking, the wax will come out, dry up and fall off on its own. Unless, you use cotton bud or other object that is put in the ear and eventually causes wax to push in.
If you keep using a tool or even put your finger in your ear, you are the one trapping the wax inside.
Do you need to do how to clean your ears yourself?
Too little earwax that remains will increase the risk of infection, quoted from the American Hearing Research Foundation. Earwax contains antibiotic and antifungal properties, so cleaning your ears too often can result in ear and skin complications, including ear infections and eczema on the outside of the ear.
In general, the inner ear opening does not need cleaning. The ears have a self-cleaning mechanism. Fat and oil in the ear canal will trap any foreign particles that enter the ear and flush it out as earwax. Earwax, will disappear by itself without you knowing it.
The skin structure in your ear canal grows like an outward spiral. Once the wax dries up, every movement your jaw makes (chewing, talking, whatever) helps smooth the transportation of the earwax from inside to out of the ear canal.
During shampooing or showering, water that enters the ear canal dilutes your earwax, making it easier to drain.
What is the wrong way to do when cleaning your ears?
Here are some mistakes that many people make when cleaning their ears:
1. Using cotton bud or other tools
There are several ways to clean the wrong ear, but many people still do it. For example, using cotton bud, earbuds, even hairpins (bobby pins). In fact, how to clean one ear is considered dangerous.
Actually, earwax has its own mechanism to get out of the ear without you having to use it cotton bud, fingers, even hair clips. This earwax will come out by itself in the ear lobe with the dust thanks to the push of the cheek muscle mechanism when you chew food.
So, you don't need to do the way of removing wax by scratching the ear up to the middle and deepest part of the ear. You just need to clean the earlobe or outer ear only.
2. Using ear candle
The principle of how to clean the ears using therapy ear candle is to use wax to lift earwax and other wax found in the ear.
The therapist will insert one end of the candle in your ear and light a fire on the other end. By using a burning fire, this method of cleaning your ears is believed to be able to "suck up" the wax that is in your ears.
Although this treatment is claimed to have many health benefits, until now there has been no research that states that this therapy is effective in clearing earwax.
3. Too often cleaning the ears
Ears do not need frequent cleaning. The reason is, earwax will usually fall and come out by itself. In addition, earwax also contains acidic substances that can prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Usually, stool only needs to be removed if it is causing problems characterized by:
- Ear pain
- Full sensation in the ear
- Ears like ringing
- Earwax smells bad
- Dizzy
- Cough
You need to clean earwax immediately if you experience these symptoms.
How to clean the ears properly?
As previously explained, your ears basically have a mechanism to clean themselves, so you don't have to clean the inside yourself.
You only need to wipe the outer ear with soap and water, then dry with a cloth or towel. If you have itchy ears accompanied by a hearing loss, you can use ear drops or other methods to remove the clogged earwax. Here's the explanation.
1. Use ear drops
Using ear drops is one method that can help remove earwax. Even so, how to use it is not just a drop. For the medicine to work effectively to speed up your recovery, it is important to make sure that the medicinal fluid actually gets into the ear canal.
Some types of ear drops include hydrogen peroxide or sodium bicarbonate. Usually this drug is sold freely in pharmacies or drug stores. Make sure you always read the instructions for using the medicine listed on the packaging label. If you have sensitive skin and have a history of abnormalities in the ears, it is better to consult your doctor first.
The following is a guide or how to clean your ears using ear drops:
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
- Warm the ear drops by holding them for 1 to 2 minutes, because cold water can trigger a headache to spin on the head when dropped into the ear.
- Open the cap of the medicine bottle and place the medicine bottle in a clean and dry place, avoiding touching the mouthpiece of the bottle or letting it touch any object
- If the medicine bottle uses a dropper, make sure that the pipette is clean and not cracked or broken
- Tilt your head so that your ears are facing upwards and pull the lobe up and back. The same way is done with children.
- Take the medicine bottle and start dropping the drug by gently massaging the bottle or dropper, dropping it according to the dose of medicine given by the doctor
- After this drop, gently pull the earlobe up and down to help the medicinal fluid flow into the ear canal
- Keep your head tilted or stay in the sleeping position for 2 to 5 minutes while pressing the protruding front of your ear to push the medicine in
- Then, clean the outer ear with a damp washcloth to help clean any residue that may come out of it
- After that, wash your hands again
When you first put the ear drops in, it is not uncommon for the ear canal to feel painful and hot. However, if after giving medication your ear becomes itchy, swollen and painful, consult a doctor immediately.
2. Use olive oil or baby oil
Stacking earwax can occur because the inside of the ear is too dry. If you experience this problem, you can moisturize the inside of the ear using olive oil or baby oil. Simply put a few drops of oil in the affected ear and wait for about five minutes.
Use of olive oil rarely causes allergies or irritation, but it takes a long time to earwax which hardens becomes soft and then comes out by itself. You may have to repeat this treatment several times on a regular basis for maximum results.
3. Perform routine ear examinations to the ENT doctor
Apart from the methods mentioned above, there is one more best solution for cleaning or removing earwax. Yes, the best way to clean your ears is actually by visiting your ENT doctor for a professional ear cleaning. Or if you accidentally cut your ear with a cotton bud and feel pain in the inner ear, you should also get it checked out by a doctor immediately.
In general, get your ear checked by an ENT doctor regularly at least once a month or according to the doctor's instructions. It is important to see a doctor, especially as you age.
The reason is, hearing loss develops gradually, so you need to make sure your ears are healthy at all times. You will need to do a pre-test hearing so you can measure and take action for any hearing loss you experience.
