Important: The guidance below is for UE Pro customers who already have custom in-ear monitors or musician earplugs — meaning your ears have been inspected by a licensed audiologist and impressions have been made. The advice in this article is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not appropriate for everyone. Before attempting any of these techniques, your ear canal must be confirmed clear and healthy by a licensed audiologist or physician. If you’re unsure about the state of your ears, do not attempt the suggestions below — schedule an appointment with an audiologist first. If you experience pain, persistent fullness, or hearing changes at any point, stop immediately and consult a medical professional.
With that out of the way — for the UE Pro customer who already has custom IEMs or musician earplugs and a clean bill of ear-canal health, here’s the scoop.
We spoke with Ann Mundell-Noel, MA, a licensed audiologist and founder of Amazing Hearing, about how to keep the ear canal clear and clean so your IEMs continue to perform the way they did the day you got them. Wax buildup can reduce hearing levels over time, and even modest buildup can affect the sound quality coming out of your IEMs — because that sound has to pass through the wax to reach your eardrums.
A conversation with audiologist Ann Mundell-Noel
We asked Ann to share her practical advice for UE Pro customers on keeping ear canals clean and IEMs working at their best. Here’s what she had to say.
“Wax happens — it’s there to prevent bugs and other foreign objects from getting into the canal and injuring the eardrum.”
“Once a professional audiologist or doctor has confirmed a clear ear canal free of debris, then, and only then, do I recommend using a Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide to swab the opening of the ear canal where the monitors sit.”
“If your monitors come out of your ear ‘sticky,’ that’s your clue you are starting to form wax. Use the Q-tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide and swab the ear canal. If, when you swab the ear canal, you hear ‘gurgling,’ that is the hydrogen peroxide dissolving the wax. The purpose is to dissolve and eliminate the wax buildup so it doesn’t plug up your monitors. You don’t need to go deep with the Q-tip — only swab as deep as your monitors go and keep that area clean. How often you do this depends on how oily your skin is and how much wax you build up. Use your monitors as a gauge: if they’re sticky, use the hydrogen peroxide and Q-tip to prevent the wax from getting into the monitor and needing repair.”
“Earwax, if it builds up, can cause a decrease in hearing levels, but it can also distort the sound coming out of the monitors because it has to pass through the wax to reach the eardrum. The key is: once you’ve been told it’s clean, keep it clean. Like brushing your teeth, do it to be proactive.”
Solid advice. If you’re in Southern California and looking to make an appointment with an audiologist, Ann sees patients at Amazing Hearing.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if my IEMs feel sticky when I take them out?
It usually means wax is starting to build up where your IEMs sit in the canal. Per Ann’s guidance, the sticky test is the simplest early warning sign: if your monitors are sticky when you remove them, that’s the cue to clean. As always, follow the disclaimer at the top — only attempt cleaning if your ear canal has been audiologist-confirmed clear and healthy.
What if wax has already gotten inside the IEM sound bore?
If your IEMs sound dull, muffled, or noticeably quieter than usual, wax may have gotten into the sound bore (the small tube where audio comes out of each monitor). Don’t try to dig it out with anything sharp — you can damage the driver or the bore. UE Pro customer service can advise on cleaning or repair. Contact them through the support channels listed on the UE Pro site.
How is professional ear cleaning different from Q-tip cleaning?
A licensed audiologist can perform proper ear-canal cleaning using tools and techniques designed for that purpose — typically irrigation, suction, or manual removal under direct visualization. The Q-tip and hydrogen peroxide approach Ann describes above is for maintaining a canal that has already been professionally cleared. The two are complementary: professional cleaning to start clean, careful at-home maintenance to stay clean.
How often should I have my ears professionally cleaned?
It varies by person — some people produce more wax than others, and IEM use can accelerate buildup. Many UE Pro customers schedule a check-in with their audiologist every 6 to 12 months. If you notice persistent stickiness, fullness, or sound-quality issues with your IEMs between appointments, that’s a sign to schedule a visit sooner.
Can I clean the IEMs themselves at home?
Yes — cleaning the body of your IEMs (the housing, cables, and tips) is different from cleaning your ears, and you can do most of it yourself. UE Pro’s care guide covers proper IEM cleaning techniques, including what to use, what to avoid, and how to handle the sound bores safely. See the cross-link below.
Take care of your IEMs and they’ll take care of you
Keeping your ear canals clear is one part of IEM care. The other part is taking care of the IEMs themselves — cleaning the housings, cables, and tips, storing them properly between sessions, and recognizing when it’s time for service. For a complete walkthrough, see How to Care for Your Custom In-Ear Monitors.
For service, repair, or questions about your specific UE Pro IEMs, contact UE Pro through the UE Pro custom IEMs page or your usual support channel.