BUFFALO, N.Y. — Removing ear wax may sound humorous, unless you need it done. Then it can be a personal emergency that can hinder hearing and cause pain. The need is more prevalent among older people.

Maintaining ear health involves understanding safe cleaning practices and avoiding harmful methods. Earwax protects the ears, but buildup can cause impaction, leading to discomfort and hearing issues.

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Earwax is just a fact of life. We need it to protect the inner ear and lubricate the ear canal, though honestly, excess earwax can be annoying. Not only can it make it difficult to hear what's going ...

"Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear." It's the kind of thing you may have heard your grandmother say, but, for the most part, it’s true, says Dr. Bradley Kesser, an ear, nose and ...

You can clean your ears at home with a damp washcloth or over-the-counter drops. If your ears are impacted, a doctor can remove wax buildup. Do your ears feel blocked up? Excess wax can accumulate ...