I have had to have my ears syringed before due to a wax build up. I still have problem ears. Here in China a visit to a hairdresser gets you a shampoo, haircut, neck and shoulder massge and an earcleaning too.

A wee lass sits next you and instead of whispering sweet nothings she goes to work with a cotton bud.

You can also buy little ear scoops which (though I have no experience) resemble small coke spoons for doing your own ears.