"AirPods Ear": How to Avoid Itching, Wax, and Inflammation

By Hans Amland, ENT Specialist

We see it more and more at the clinic: patients coming in with intense itching, a "clogged" sensation, or pain in the ear canal. The common denominator? They use in-ear headphones, such as AirPods, for many hours every day. As I recently discussed with the news outlet VG, the modern way we listen to music and podcasts has created a new challenge for our ear health.

The ear wasn't built to be "plugged up"

Your ear canal is essentially a self-cleaning machine. Tiny hairs and skin cells naturally transport earwax outward. When you insert a tight-fitting earbud, three things happen that disrupt this process:

• The Cork Effect: The bud acts like a cork, pushing existing wax deeper toward the eardrum. Over time, this can create a hard wax plug, leading to muffled hearing and a feeling of pressure.
• The Moist Greenhouse: When the ear canal is sealed, the temperature and humidity inside rise. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria and fungi. The result is often "otitis externa"—an inflammation of the outer ear canal that can be extremely painful.
• Mechanical Irritation: Rubber or plastic tips can cause tiny tears in the thin skin of the ear canal, providing a breeding ground for infections and chronic itching.

Signs your ears need a break

You should pay attention if you notice:

• Intens itching inside the ear.
• A feeling that the ear is "wet" or discharging fluid.
• A muffled sensation that doesn't go away when you yawn or equalize pressure.
• Pain when touching the earlobe or when chewing.

Hans's advice for the "AirPods user"

Fortunately, this doesn't mean you have to throw away your headphones, but you should take some precautions:

• Sound breaks: Give your ears at least 15 minutes of "airing out" for every hour you use earbuds.
• Hygiene: Regularly clean the earbuds themselves with an alcohol-free disinfectant wipe. Bacteria thrive on the surface of your buds.
• No Q-tips: If you feel clogged, the temptation to use Q-tips is high. This almost always makes matters worse by pushing the wax even further in.
• Consider "Over-ear": If you struggle frequently with itching or eczema, consider headphones that sit over the ear instead of inside it.

When should you see a specialist?

If you have already developed a significant wax plug or an infection, home remedies or over-the-counter oil sprays rarely help.

As an ENT specialist, I use a microscope and a precise suction tool (micro-suction) to gently remove wax and clean the ear canal. This provides immediate relief and is much safer than trying to rinse the ear yourself. In cases of inflammation, we can also initiate medical treatment with specialized drops that quickly eliminate pain and infection.

Struggling with itching or a clogged sensation? Don't wait until it becomes painful. We can help with a professional cleaning and an assessment of your ear health.

Published: April 16, 2026