Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Bad Habit Of Cleaning Ears With Hair Clips, Yellowish White Smelly Discharge, Loss Of Hearing. Treatment?

for years i have been stupid and cleaning my ears with hair clips. it kind of became routine. i know it is wrong. for a long time now on a morning or anytime i clean them yellowy or white gunk comes out and smells. i often have smelly ears. but if i dont clean them them out i feel irritated or that i cannot hear to the best of my abbility.
posted on Sat, 22 Dec 2012
Twitter Sat, 22 Dec 2012 Answered on
Twitter Sat, 22 Dec 2012 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear Concerned.,

Thanks for writing to us.

Wax is a greasy substance produced in the external ear canal basically to protect the ear from pathogens.It consists of Ear Canal cells/Sebaceous secretions/Keratin/Cholesterol.

If you have developed Impacted Wax., impairing hearing process//conductive hearing loss.,

pls use wax dissolving drops such as a combination of Turpentine oil/Glycerine/Arachis oil/Urea H2O2/Soda bicarb based solutions. In addition an ENT Surgeon can remove the same by using instruments.

As such wax is helpful to protect the ear from pathogenic organisms//Lubrication/protecting the ear drum.The wax is naturally removed when new epithelial cells replace the old ones and the older ones migrate towards exterior.Only when the natural expansion fails impacted wax results.
Removing the Wax with hair pin and other sharp instruments may lead to injury to Ear Drum/Bleeding /Reflex Cardiac Problems may also result.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.,

Best regards.,

Dr Lt Cdr ASN Bhushan.,

Ex-navy.

I find this answer helpful
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Earwax


Loading Online Doctors....
People also viewed
Bad Habit Of Cleaning Ears With Hair Clips, Yellowish White Smelly Discharge, Loss Of Hearing. Treatment?

Dear Concerned., Thanks for writing to us. Wax is a greasy substance produced in the external ear canal basically to protect the ear from pathogens.It consists of Ear Canal cells/Sebaceous secretions/Keratin/Cholesterol. If you have developed Impacted Wax., impairing hearing process//conductive hearing loss., pls use wax dissolving drops such as a combination of Turpentine oil/Glycerine/Arachis oil/Urea H2O2/Soda bicarb based solutions. In addition an ENT Surgeon can remove the same by using instruments. As such wax is helpful to protect the ear from pathogenic organisms//Lubrication/protecting the ear drum.The wax is naturally removed when new epithelial cells replace the old ones and the older ones migrate towards exterior.Only when the natural expansion fails impacted wax results. Removing the Wax with hair pin and other sharp instruments may lead to injury to Ear Drum/Bleeding /Reflex Cardiac Problems may also result. Wishing you a speedy recovery., Best regards., Dr Lt Cdr ASN Bhushan., Ex-navy.