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2016/04/do-you-have-ear-wax-buildup-read-these-dos-and-donts-video/ Do you have earwax buildup? Read these do’s and don’ts (video).You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The study found that distilled water worked most effectively at disintegrating earwax when compared to water mixed with sodium bicarbonate or an oil-based solution. Researchers in one 2013 study pushed for the use of distilled water only to soften earwax. Using eardrops generally has less room for error and are considered a safer option.Īlthough hydrogen peroxide is the primary component in many eardrop solutions, research has shown that it may not be critical to treating earwax buildup. Earwax irrigation, or using water to remove the wax, can often lead to complications. Researchers in a 2015 study in Australian Family Physician also advocate for eardrops as a first-line treatment to help ears self-clean. Researchers in a 2004 study found that although earwax irrigation is one of the most common treatments, eardrops may be the most cost-effective way to treat earwax buildup at home. Hydrogen peroxide has been considered an effective ingredient in earwax removal solutions for many years.
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