Getting water clogged in your ear is annoying! That’s why I wrote McKeon Products who manufacture Mack’s Earplugs and ear drying aids…

Dear Ear Uncloggers:

Sometimes my ears get clogged after a shower. All I know is the water found a way in, but no matter how hard I try to shake it out nothing happens. It’s really exhausting continuously shaking my head to one side over and over again. Plus, I could be risking brain whiplash.

I understand that your Mack’s Dry-n-Clear ear drops relieve water-clogged ears. Does it only work for swimmers, surfers and scuba divers or will it also work for showerers?

Another thing I find confusing is that if water is trapped in your ear, how can putting drops of another liquid in the ear unclog it? Isn’t there enough liquid sloshing around in there already? And if the main ingredient in Mack’s Dry-n-Clear ear drops, which is 95% Isopropyl Alcohol, is what does the trick, would I get the same results by putting a drop or two of Jack Daniels in there?

I’m all ears awaiting your reply, even though one of them is clogged right now.

A representative from McKeon Products responded with:

Thanks for your letter. We all got a good laugh out of your sense of humor. I’ll try to answer your questions as accurately as possible, assuming that you were serious, even though you used a comedic tone.

First off, perhaps you’d like to try using some of our waterproof earplugs. Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs or Mack’s AquaBlock Earplugs, to prevent water from entering your ears in the first place. Assuming you’ve thought of that and don’t like to use earplugs, I’ll move on to your questions.

No, you don’t have to be a world class surfer or professional deep-sea scuba diver to benefit from Mack’s Ear Drying Aid. If it will work for those that like to test their limits on the big waves, it will work for us “boring” showerers as well.

How does liquid dry liquid? Good question. Isopropyl alcohol has a chemical make-up that “devours” and evaporates moisture. It’s similar to what we add to our gas tanks up here in the winter to dry out any condensation that might have accumulated in our fuel system. Anhydrous glycerin has similar dehydrating properties as the alcohol, and as a bonus, it helps condition the lining of the ear canal. It is this unique combination of liquids that dries up the excess water while not drying out the delicate skin lining the ear canal. I cannot tell you that a shot of Jack Daniels in each ear wouldn’t have somewhat similar results, but I can tell you that you’ll smell like the town drunk after every shower. Skip the shower…drink the shots. ; )

Thanks for choosing Mack’s…the Ear Uncloggers.

Final Thoughts: It is so satisfying when a company not only responds with solid, smart answers, but does it graciously with a sense of humor. They also enclosed a box of Mack’s Pillow Soft Earplugs, which is “Snore Proof” and “Water Proof.” While these silicone putty plugs are advertised as the “#1 Doctor Recommended Brand,” what’s really impressive is that the retired owner of this still family run business, Raymond Benner, invented the silicone earplug in 1962. Cecilia Benner, his co-inventor, appeared on the game show “What’s My Line?” twice in the 1960s. Her unusual line of work was, “Making Earplugs.” Mack’s Earplugs were even the first earplugs used in a World Series baseball game. Read the Benner’s fascinating story and watch the TV show segment.

As for whether my inquiry was serious, it was. All of my inquiries are serious even though some people find them funny. Some could be classified as seriously funny. Either way, I’m glad the folks at McKeon Products decided to answer and take the time to educate me. It left a lasting impression of them being a caring, cool company that knows their stuff and treats customers kindly. Including earplugs with the reply was a clever touch, although, the challenge with wearing earplugs in the shower is your ears are protected, making them harder to clean (your ears, not the earplugs). For that, Mack’s offers other products, including Dry-n-Clear Ear Drying Aid and Wax Away Earwax Removal System.

If questions about a product are clogging any part of your head, one way to find relief is to Write The Company.