Warm water irrigation is one safe method of removing the build-up of wax. The warm water is gently pulsed into the ear canal, which softens the wax and gets behind compacted wax, gently pushing the wax out. The skin within the ear canal is very thin and sensitive. Sometimes the wax can be stubborn to remove safely without damaging this skin and it may be necessary to use further treatments such as olive oil to soften the wax before further irrigation can complete the total procedure.