Ear care is something you really can't afford to get wrong,as you risk damaging the inner parts of your ear which could result in tinnitus or hearing loss.
Having said that, from time to time we all get that feeling of bunged up ears - especially during a cold, allergies, stressful times or when you notice slight hearing loss in one or both ears.
There are a few things you can do at home, although if you're not feeling confident about how to clean your ears, it's sensible to ask a professional as you may benefit from getting your earwax syringed.
What not to do
A few important warnings first as there are a few things you should never do:
· DO NOT insert objects into your ear canal.
· DO NOT use pointy objects like cotton buds.
· DO NOT use chemicals or cleansers that are not designed for the ears.
There are natural remedies to soften and remove ear wax build-up, so there should be no need to put potentially harmful chemical cleaners into your inner ear.
What to do
If you believe your ear is infected or your eardrum is damaged, consult a professional as even usually harmless home remedies could be painful.
If your ear is in good condition and is not completely plugged with wax, you can try softening the wax using warm water.
You can do that under the shower just by tilting your head so the warm water can enter your ear canal, or use a solution of warm water and salt, or bicarbonate of soda.
If you're not in the shower, keep a cloth handy to wipe up the water and softened wax that comes out of your ear - and see how much you can collect on your cloth!
If you still need help
If you're in any doubt at all, ask a professional. Earwax removal is quick and pain-free and can make a big difference to your quality of life if you've been living with that bunged-up feeling or partial hearing loss for a long time.
Even if something else is causing your hearing loss,professionals can confirm this and offer solutions like digital hearing aids or similar devices that generate low-level noises to disguise and distract from tinnitus in your ears.
Whatever the cause and manifestation of your hearing impairment, there may be a solution using modern technology that could make it easier for you to hear things in future.
