Additional facts learned since last post:
Using too hot water for flushing can cause dizziness. This happened to me using about 100F water, but I did not know why at the time. Stick to lukewarm water.
Earwax is mostly cholesterol. It can be dissolved in numerous ways.
Many ENTs recommend putting a few drops of olive oil (extra virgin of course..) into the ear, which is a solvent to solid cholesterol and literally dissolves it into liquid. The main monosaturated fatty acid in olive oil is oleic acid. This is the main fatty acid emitted by sebaceous glands in the skin. Olive oil is skin oil with some extra anti-oxidant goodies thrown in. So there is little risk to using good OO in ear. Rinse with lukewarm water, or a little glycerin soapy water.
Hydrogen peroxide is also recommended by ENTs to liquify it by oxidation, conversion to water and CO2. H2O2 is not as safe and natural to the body's ecology as EVOO, so I'm less excited by that method. It will oxidize any organic molecule, even living tissue. External skin has dead skin on top, so no damage is done. Internal use for H2O2 is very bad. 5 minutes per day for 5 days per month should keep them very clean, according to some internet ENT.
ymmv This might be part of the foaming solution from CVS.
I have not tried either of these yet, but figured it was valuable info to pass along.
I am unlocking for continued polite and responsible discussion about this important topic. Please reserve earwax humor for the joke thread. Thank you!!
Rich