By checking in your ear with a special tool that lights up and magnifies your inner ear, your doctor can see if you have earwax obstruction (otoscope).

These self-care procedures may help you eliminate extra earwax that’s obstructing your ear canal if your eardrum doesn’t have a tube or has a hole in it:

1. Make the wax softer. Apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin, or diluted hydrogen peroxide to your ear canal with an eyedropper. If you have an ear infection, you should only use ear drops if your doctor recommends it.
2. Warm water should be used. After a day or two, after the wax has melted, gently inject warm water into your ear canal using a rubber bulb syringe. To straighten your ear canal, tilt your head and pull your outer ear up and back. Tip your head to the side once you’ve finished irrigating to allow the water to drain out.
3. Ensure that your ear canal is dry. When you’re done, use a towel or a hand-held drier to gently dry your outer ear.