About Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Expertise I am a board-certified otolaryngologist with additional subspecialty training in otology, neurotology, and skull base surgery. This is the subspecialty of otolaryngology that involves the ear, hearing, balance organs, the facial nerve, and surgery of the skull base including surgery for acoustic neuroma and other benign and malignant tumors of the base of the skull.
Experience Medical school, residency in otolaryngology, fellowship in otology/neurotology/skull base surgery
Organizations American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery North American Skull Base Society American Neurotology Society
Publications Laryngoscope Otology and Neurotology
Education/Credentials MD Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA 2001 Otolaryngology Residency, University of Iowa Department of Otolaryngology, Iowa City, IA Otology/Neurotology Fellowship, House Ear Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
Expert: Eric P. Wilkinson, MD Date: 7/6/2007 Subject: ear wax cleaning
Question Hi Eric,
What is the best way to clean the wax from my ears? I have tried the ear candles and flushing, but no success.
Thank you, Kevin
Answer Often the wax just needs to be softened, and this can be done using a drop of oil every few days (mineral oil, baby oil, vegetable oil are OK). Usually the ears will clean themselves, as the natural shedding of ear canal skin will carry the wax out. In otology we prefer to clean ears under the microscope, as flushing can occasionally cause outer ear infections.
