What finally worked well for me was an "ear loop" tool, a small, cheap plastic tool with a safety guard, that makes extracting the wax quite easy. They cost less than $10 USD, do not rely on uncomfortable squeezing of water or liquid, nor do they just push the wax farther in (unlike a cotton swab).
It was a big deal for me to discover these existed, and when I did, I was surprised I hadn't heard of them.
It was a big deal for me to discover these existed, and when I did, I was surprised I hadn't heard of them.