[Atauwoduhi]

If there is ear mites, you can check for this at home.....use a flashlight an look into your dogs ear........they will be lil' white specks and if you watch for a bit they do move.......then if they move its ear mites.
But if it is just black earwax use a cotton ball to swipe out the ear, DON"T use a q-tip. Or your Vet. should have a liquid ear cleaner you could use at home.......just squeeze the liquid into the dogs ear, massage it for a few and use a cotton ball to clean it out.
I hope this helps, I use the ear cleaning liquid at work all the time when cleaning out patients ears either after surgery or a bath, incase your wondering I work as a Vet. Assist.:)