[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Whats the best way to clean my ears? I need to clean my ears almost everyday. I'm sure this question has something to do with headphones... erm pretend I use ear plugs

I use klenex to clean my ears right now doh!

Biggie.

 

[Eli's Adventure]

I use rubbing alcohol. But i don't use a Q-Tip to stick inside my ears. I just lean my head sideways and pour the alcohol in. I try to get it inside the ear canal. Then i just wipe around the ear with a tissue where it is dirty, but i don't stick it in my ear canal. If i did that, it would push the ear wax back further in my ear canal. And that is not good at all.

Did that make sense?

 

[chych]

In the shower, put a good amount of soap in your ears and rinse, everyday... that did it for me... Now whenever I dive into my ears with the q-tip I never get any yellow...

 

[elipsis]

I really used to tend to "dig for oil" when cleaning my ears. Yesterday, I had to go and get my ear syringed (related?) and my doctor told me you are NEVER supposed to clean your ears internally. Don't put Q-Tips in there, and certainly don't pour alcohol in!

He said the best thing to do is leave them alone and let them clean themselves while keeping the outside clean. The less you clean, the less you will need to clean, because your ears will return to their natural equilibrium and clean themselves. Interestingly, hair is the same. Leave your hair alone for between three weeks and six months, and you will never need to wash it again. It's the removal of the cleaning oils from your hair by shampoo that allows dirt to build up and makes you need to shampoo again.

 

[Eli's Adventure]

Quote:

Originally posted by elipsis and certainly don't pour alcohol in!

Oops.

Seriously though, i didn't really think about that. Good point.

 

[elipsis]

I'm sure the alcohol is actually very good at dissolving wax, but it will also dry out the delicate skin of your inner ear and eardrum. Not good! Also, who knows what it does to the tiny hairs in there...

Anyone heard the official word from an ENT specialist?

 

[secretagent44]

Quote:

Originally posted by elipsis Interestingly, hair is the same. Leave your hair alone for between three weeks and six months, and you will never need to wash it again.

yikes, I hope no one actually tries this.

 

[elipsis]

Yeah, finding people willing to be around you for those 3 weeks to 6 months might be a fun challenge.

 

[grinch]

Quote:

Originally posted by elipsis He said the best thing to do is leave them alone and let them clean themselves while keeping the outside clean. The less you clean, the less you will need to clean, because your ears will return to their natural equilibrium and clean themselves. Interestingly, hair is the same. Leave your hair alone for between three weeks and six months, and you will never need to wash it again. It's the removal of the cleaning oils from your hair by shampoo that allows dirt to build up and makes you need to shampoo again.

one word: HIPPY

 

[john_jcb]

You should avoid putting any liquid in your ear. If the eardrum has even the smallest of perferations you can get a serious infection.

A warm wet wash cloth around your index finger is all you really need to clean the outer part of the ear. Let the natural cleaning mechanism of the ear work and you will be better off.

 

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like I'm not doing anything bad. I never dig in 'deep'. Its interesting to know what everyone is doing to keep their ears in good shape.

Biggie.

 

[neil]

Yeah, if you decide not to wash your hair for three to six months, you're automatically banned from the next Head-Fi Meeting at a town near you.

Great tips though. Glad to hear tips from a real doctor. I'll stop digging with the Q-tip. By the way, have any of you guys tried non-Q-tip brand q-tips? YIKES. Even Johnson & Johnsons blow hardball.

 

[gaineso]

50 years ago, my doctor told me to use alcohol to dry the water out of my ears after swimming.

30 years ago, I got an ear infection from NOT doing that after water skiing. Again I was told that it would dry out any water AND disinfect, helping to prevent ear infections.

Not recommending for everyday use, but it will help when you get your ears full of water.

 

[Dusty Chalk]

Quote:

Originally posted by elipsis Interestingly, hair is the same. Leave your hair alone for between three weeks and six months, and you will never need to wash it again. It's the removal of the cleaning oils from your hair by shampoo that allows dirt to build up and makes you need to shampoo again.

Okay, now you've lost me...I know what you mean about oil -- I have long hair that I ...ahem... "farm", so I do not, indeed, wash my hair every day, but I've seen people who never wash their hair, and they do need to wash their hair. Or are they still in the "probationary" period?

 

[elipsis]

Probably still in the "probationary" period.

I don't know if it's true or not, honestly, but unless you have met someone who has gone for SIX MONTHS without washing their hair, there's no way to know for certain

.

To my understanding, yes, your hair would be utter gank for the amount of time it took to "normalise".