How to prevent ear wax build-up

I'm posting this for a friend, aherm -- it's not my latest obsession, in case you're wondering.

I will admit, however, that lavender is my latest obsession. Actually, obsessions have expiry dates and lavender just might be here to stay, so I'm sure you'll be hearing about THAT.

But on to more useful info (insert medical disclaimers and very clear warnings about how these excerpts are garnered from unqualified web sources, etc.)...

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http://www.ehow.com/how_5053433_prevent-earwax-buildup.html

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http://www.revolutionhealth.com/conditions/ear-nose-throat/ear-infections/ear-wax?ipc=B00448§ion=section_03

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Some people are troubled by repeated build-up of earwax and require ear irrigation every so often. In this situation, to prevent earwax building up and forming a plug, some doctors recommend using ear drops regularly. For example, olive oil ear drops.
http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Ear-Wax.htm

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Earwax gets denser whenever a person is dehydrated, so make sure your child gets plenty of fluids.
http://www.babycenter.com/0_earwax-buildup_65857.bc

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You cannot prevent the formation of wax, but you can avoid packing it down against your ear-drum by refraining from using cotton wool buds or Q-tips which act just like the ram rod used for pushing the wadding and charge into a cannon!
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/ate/ent/202868.html

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A few drops of baby oil or over-the-counter wax softeners placed in the ear with an eyedropper will help soften and loosen the wax. Use a few drops twice a day for several days or as the label directs. Once the wax is softened, you can usually remove it in the shower with a gentle flow of warm water directly into the canal. If you tend to rapidly accumulate earwax, you might prevent blockages by using oil or softeners once a week. Don't use oil or water if you have a perforated eardrum, and use clean oil to avoid introducing bacteria into your ears.
http://www.uabmedicine.org/17681/?txc-more=4101