“How do you clean your ears?” is a question we sometimes ask in clinic. The answer is often, “I don’t. I was told not to clean them at all.”

There is a lot of confusion around ear care. While it’s true that you shouldn’t put anything inside your ear canal, that doesn’t mean your ears should be left completely untouched. The outer part of your ears can be cleaned just like the rest of your face.

A warm, damp facecloth with a little soap is all you need to gently clean around the outside of your ears and behind your ears. This helps remove everyday build-up from skin oils, sweat and hair products. It is suitable for most people, unless you have been advised by your doctor to keep your ears dry or you have had ear surgery. Avoid directing water straight into your ear.

The key is not to put anything inside your ear canal. Cotton buds, hair pins and other objects can push wax deeper into the ear, irritate the delicate skin and even cause injury. Your ears are designed to clean themselves naturally, so the aim is to support that process rather than interfere with it.

Ear wax is an important part of ear health. It helps protect the skin inside the ear by trapping dust and debris and preventing the ear canal from becoming too dry. Some people naturally produce more wax than others, and hearing aids can also contribute to build-up. If you notice blocked ears, muffled hearing or discomfort, we can check your ears and remove excess wax using microsuction. Considered the gold standard for wax removal, our experienced Doctors of Audiology perform the procedure using a microscope for precise and gentle treatment.

Mention this Channel Mag column when booking and receive $10 off your ear wax removal appointment.

Teresa Burns Hearing Ltd
25 Apollo Drive, Rosedale
09 475 9849
admin@teresaburnshearing.co.nz
teresaburnshearing.co.nz