• You can remove ear wax at home.ear image by Connfetti from Fotolia.com
  
  The presence of ear wax is normal within a healthy ear. However, sometimes wax can build up to unhealthy levels, which can cause symptoms such as reduced hearing capacity, ringing in the ears, itching, unpleasant odors and drainage. A doctor can remove excess ear wax for you, but you might want to try some removal methods yourself at home before you head out to the doctor's office.
  
  

Preparation

• Before you begin softening and removing ear wax, it is important that you prepare properly. Wash the external portion of your ear with a rag dipped in warm soap water. Rinse the outer part of your ear and pat it dry with a towel or allow it to air dry. Also, clean your equipment if necessary. You may be using a dropper or syringe in the cleaning process. A new syringe or an older one that you've used before should be washed in hot, soapy water and allowed to air dry before use.
  
  

Softening

• Softening ear wax first can make removal easier and more effective. Use an eye dropper (or similar small dropper) to drop several drops of mineral oil or baby oil into each ear canal. You also can buy drops that are specifically for softening ear wax. Massage the outer portion of your ear that extends over the ear canal to help ease the oil farther into the canal. Allow the oil to stay in your ear for at least 30 minutes before you attempt other irrigation methods.
  
  

Irrigation

• Irrigation is a process of flushing excess wax from the ears. You can purchase home ear irrigation kits from most drug stores, or you can collect your own irrigation supplies separately. You will need a plastic syringe (without a needle), some salt or hydrogen peroxide and water. If you are using a kit, follow the directions included. If you are working from scratch, heat a glass of water to a temperature that is warm but very comfortable to touch. You don't want the water too hot, or you can burn your ear canal. Add several drops of hydrogen peroxide or one teaspoon of salt to the glass of water. Draw some water into a small syringe (big enough to hold one to two teaspoons of liquid). Lean your head to one side and slowly push the syringe's plunger to release the solution into your ear. Allow the liquid to stay in your ear for one minute and turn your head over to drain the liquid out. This works best if you've softened the wax first (as in step two) 15 to 30 minutes beforehand.