It scare the wits out of me, when I hear all these things. My ear doctor says they don't hurt, but they don't ultimately solve the problem. He should go to a doctor and have his ear irrigated thoroughly as this sounds like a problem I've had for many years. The wax in the ear when it does not find the passage out, accumulates and can be very irritating and also can cause loss of hearing. Take it from one who knows, get him to the ear doctor before any damage is done.