What is ear wax? 

Ear wax is a natural secretion which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The quantity of earwax produced varies greatly from person to person.

Before your appointment

To have a hearing assessment your ears must be clear of wax.  

If you are advised by your GP, nurse or audiologist at any point to use a wax softener (olive oil is tolerated by most people), it is recommended to use this three to four times daily for three to five days before your appointment (as per NICE recommendation). 

Two to three drops of pre-treatment wax softeners (i.e. olive oil) should be administered in the affected ear/s and left in place for about 10 minutes. The wax will often come out of its own accord using softeners, without harming the ear. You will not necessarily see wax come out - if often seems to come out unnoticed. 

Do not use drops if you have been told you have a hole in your ear drum (a perforation), mastoid cavity or have another known reason that you should not use ear drops 

Never remove ear wax or clean ears by inserting small objects such as cotton buds into the ear canal. This could damage the ear canal and eardrum, and push the wax further down into the ear. 

If you need to manage your wax, please see Earwax build-up - NHS (www.nhs.uk). There are also local providers who can remove ear wax for a charge. Some can visit you at home if you need them to.

What is ear wax?

Ear wax (known as cerumen) is a normal waxy substance found in ears which can be wet or dry/crumbly and is produced by glands in the ear canal. It can vary in colour from a pale honey-colour to a very dark brown. It has many functions including aiding removal of debris from the ear as well as cleaning, lubricating and protecting the lining of the ear canal. Ear wax naturally migrates out of the ear, helped by the movement of the jaw (through chewing and talking).

A small amount of wax is normal and for most people will not cause problems and does not require any treatment, however when there is a build-up that may be contributing to hearing loss or issues with hearing aids, you may need some treatment (ear drops) to help manage this.

Important

Never try to remove ear wax or clean ears by inserting small objects such as cotton buds into the ear canal as this could damage the ear canal and eardrum and push the wax further down into the ear.

When not to use drops

  • if you know, or suspect you have a perforation (hole) in your eardrum.
  • if you have grommets.
  • if you have been advised by a specialist previously that you should not use ear drops.
  • if you suspect you have an ear infection (please seek advice from your GP).

Which drops should I use?

Olive oil or sodium bicarbonate (5%) drops.

How often should I use the drops?

  • ear drops should not be used continuously.
  • the usual recommendation is to use drops for three to four times daily for a period of three to five days but please read the instructions on the packaging carefully before administering.
  • your healthcare professional may advise further use after a break (e.g. to use again for three to five days prior to your next appointment) if the wax build-up is recurrent.

Tips for using ear drops

  • it can be helpful to lie on your side with the ear to be treated facing upwards so that once you have put the ear drops in, you can remain lying for five minutes to allow the drops to soak in. If this is difficult or not possible, gently massage the outer ear to help them soak in instead
  • if you wear hearing aids, use the drops before you go to bed (after you take your hearing aids out).

Are there any side effects to using ear drops?

The ear drops outlined above are safe for general use, however there are some possible side effects:

  • they can sometimes cause temporary change or loss to hearing – you may notice a drop in hearing and/or can hear popping sounds whilst administering the ear drops which is usually caused by the drops expanding the wax before it breaks down
  • if you notice any pain, discomfort, dizziness, or you notice irritation of the skin around the ear you should stop use and seek advice from a GP or healthcare professional.

Removing ear wax with ear drops may not resolve the symptoms you were having (e.g. if the hearing problems are caused by something other than wax build-up) but will allow your healthcare professional to assess the ear more easily. 

Read more about ear wax on the NHS website.

Contact the audiology team.