[throwawaydad12]

This is what I do. Whether genetics or what, my ears get stopped to the point of deafness once or twice a year. Tried cleaning them out with just water and ended up with an ear infection. It's excruciating.

Now: Use Debrox (etc) following directions. Several applications of the liquid over a day or two. But most importantly, flush with bulb with very warm water (as hot as you can stand). Repeat, over and over. Once you start, don't stop, because you won't be able to fully dry your ear canal until you get all of the wax out. Water means infection. Make sure everything is very clean throughout the procedure.

Do it over a stopped sink or bowl, so that you can observe what's coming out.

After it's done, dry completely. I use the twisted end of a tissue, etc., to sop up most of the water. Then blow warm air into my ear for several minutes.

No problems since I learned this approach.

[lstodd]

Cheap solution: lots of warmed to ~40C 0.05% Chlorhexidine. Idk, but I bet it's cheaper than that Debrox thing, and almost nil chance of infection.

[tkzed49]

That seems completely different—the active ingredient in debrox is peroxide, which foams up and in theory loosens the earwax (a cerumenolytic). If you want to be cheap use diluted hydrogen peroxide.

But there seems to be mixed evidence as to whether it's any better than distilled water.

[lstodd]

Seriously? Hydrogen peroxide? Do you realize that the foaming is it releasing free oxygen? Which basically guarantees burns.