Earwax removal

Earwax — or cerumen — is made by glands lining the outer part of your ear canal. It protects the structures in your ears, trapping dust, dirt and germs to reduce the risk of ear infections. It also keeps the inside of your ears hydrated.

Your ear canals are self-cleaning. Over time, earwax dries out; old earwax falls out of the ears and is replaced by new earwax. You don’t need to remove earwax unless you have a build-up, which can harden and cause discomfort and hearing problems.

Causes of earwax build-up 

Earwax builds up when something like an in-ear headphone or hearing aid stops it from falling out, or you have very hairy, narrow, or damaged ear canals.

Skin conditions causing inflamed, itchy, dry skin can also cause earwax build-up. This includes psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and ear eczema. 

Swimmer’s ear can cause excessive earwax too. 

Symptoms of a blocked ear

Symptoms of a blocked ear include:

• A full feeling in your ear
• An itchy feeling in your ear
• Earache
• Hearing loss eg sounds are muffled
• Tinnitus — buzzing, hissing, ringing or other sounds coming from within your ear
• Vertigo — feeling unsteady, dizzy and nauseous

When do you need earwax removal?

Earwax removal is only needed if you have symptoms of a blocked ear.

Some types of earwax removal may not be suitable if you have:

• A perforated eardrum — a hole in the thin membrane that separates your outer ear from your middle ear
• Had ear surgery
• Frequent ear infections

If you have an implanted ear device (eg a grommet), you’ll need advice from a hearing specialist, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor or audiologist before earwax removal.

Potential risks and complications of earwax blockage

If excessive earwax is left untreated, symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus and ear pain may get worse.

The longer excess earwax stays in your ear, the higher your chance of developing an ear infection. Earwax traps germs, which are removed when the earwax falls out. If the earwax stays in your ear, germs are more likely to spread.

Ear infections can cause fever, nausea, vomiting, discharge from the ear, severe ear pain, and temporary hearing loss. If you get ear infections often it can lead to permanent hearing damage.

Home remedies 

Ear drops are the most common treatment for a blocked ear caused by excessive earwax. There are several types: olive oil, almond oil and sodium bicarbonate.

Almond oil and olive oil soften earwax to help it fall out. Olive oil drops are usually used daily for around 2 weeks for a blocked ear. Almond oil sprays are used to help keep the earwax soft in people who have wax build-up regularly. As it’s more hydrating than olive oil, it’s better for longer-term use.

Sodium bicarbonate drops dissolve earwax. They can only be used for 7–10 days at a time because long-term use can irritate the ear canal and dry out the skin.

When using drops, you may notice that your hearing temporarily gets worse before it gets better. You may also hear popping sounds in your ear as the drops start to work.

Although ear drops are effective, some people find that certain types irritate their skin.

Ear drops shouldn’t be used if you have a perforated eardrum or have previously had ear surgery.

Ear irrigation 

Ear irrigation uses an electronic pump that passes warm water into your ear at a low pressure. This flushes out earwax. It’s only carried out if your ear canal is completely blocked or if it’s partially blocked and you wear hearing aids.

Ear irrigation isn’t suitable if you’ve previously had complications from the procedure, or if you have:

• A middle ear or outer ear infection
• A perforated eardrum
• A cleft palate
• Complete hearing loss in your other ear
• Had ear surgery in the past
• Mucous discharge from your ear

Microsuction

Microsuction uses a microscope and gentle suction to remove earwax from your ear.

A doctor will look into your ear with a microscope to get a high-resolution view of the inside of your ear canal. This allows them to carefully guide the tip of the suction device to pick up any excess earwax.

Microsuction is suitable for people who can’t use drops or have ear irrigation because of a perforated eardrum or past ear surgery.

Ear curettage

Ear curettage uses a microscope and a very small, spoon-shaped metal instrument called a curette to carefully scoop out excess earwax.

A doctor will look into your ear canal with a microscope so they can find and remove the earwax with the curette.

Ear curettage is suitable for people who can’t use drops or have ear irrigation due to a perforated eardrum or past ear surgery, for example. It’s sometimes carried out after microsuction to help remove stubborn bits of earwax.

How to prepare

You’ll need a consultation with one of our ENT consultants, where you can discuss your symptoms and concerns. They’ll examine the inside of your ear using a magnifying device called an otoscope.

They will then discuss your treatment options with you. If microsuction, ear irrigation or ear curettage is needed, they’ll explain what to expect, the risks, benefits and alternative treatment options.

They will also tell you how to prepare for your procedure and how to look after your ear afterwards.

You can usually eat, drink and take any medication as normal before your procedure.

Your consultant will ask you to soften your earwax using eardrops for at least 7 days before your procedure. This will make it easier to remove your earwax.

Who will be involved?

Earwax removal at Spire Healthcare is always performed by an experienced specialist doctor called an ENT consultant.

All of our ENT consultants are registered with the General Medical Council, on the Specialist Register and affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons, so you receive expert care.

The procedure

Earwax removal is not a painful procedure. However, microsuction, ear irrigation and ear curettage can cause some mild discomfort, particularly if the earwax is very hard and/or deep inside the ear canal.

Whichever procedure you have, you’ll need to stay still.

For microsuction, you’ll be asked to lie on your back and tilt your head to one side. A small cone will be placed in your ear to help your doctor get a clearer view of your ear canal with a microscope. Then a thin metal tube connected to a pump will be placed in your ear canal to remove the excess wax.

Ear curettage is performed in the same way as microsuction, except instead of a metal tube being placed in your ear, your doctor will insert a thin, metal curette. They will use this to scoop out excess earwax.

For ear irrigation, you’ll be asked to sit upright, and a towel will be placed on your shoulder to absorb any water that drips out of your ear. A thin tube will be placed into your ear and warm water will be passed through it to flush out excess wax.

How long does earwax removal take?

Microsuction, ear irrigation and ear curettage typically take 15–30 minutes. Your appointment will be longer so you have time to ask any questions and raise any concerns.

What happens straight after the procedure?

Immediately after earwax removal, you may feel dizzy or unsteady on your feet. This is because your ears control your balance as well as your hearing.

It can take up to an hour for your body to adjust, so you might need someone with you to take you home. If you don’t feel dizzy, you can get back to your usual activities straight after the procedure.

Your hospital stay

Earwax removal is a day case procedure. You can go home straight after your appointment.

After your earwax removal treatment, you’ll usually have a follow-up appointment with your consultant to check the health of your ear.

Complications are rare after earwax removal. However, every procedure carries certain risks.

Microsuction, ear irrigation and ear curettage come with a low risk of ear infection. Other very rare and usually temporary complications include:

• Deafness
• Perforation of the eardrum
• Tinnitus
• Vertigo

Your consultant will explain any potential risks or complications before your procedure and how these may apply to you. If you have questions or concerns at any stage, our team will be here to support you.

Before you have an earwax removal procedure, it’s helpful to soften your earwax using ear drops. However, some people can’t use ear drops, eg if you have a perforated eardrum or have had ear surgery, so check with your doctor first.

As the earwax softens, it may start to slide out of your ear. You can use a warm, clean flannel to wipe the outside of your ear to remove the earwax. Never put anything in your ear to remove earwax, such as cotton buds, ear candles, tissue or your fingers. This increases your risk of developing an ear infection, damaging your eardrum and pushing the earwax further into your ear canal.

You should also never use hydrogen peroxide to remove earwax as it can damage the skin in your ear canal and damage your eardrum.

At-home earwax removal kits are available from pharmacies. However, you should not use these unless recommended by a doctor or audiologist.

Earwax prevention tips

Earwax is naturally produced by your ears to protect them and keep them healthy. You, therefore, cannot stop your ears from producing earwax.

While you can’t stop producing earwax, if you often have a build-up, you can reduce your risk of blocked ears by regularly using oil eardrops. This will soften your earwax so that it can more easily fall out on its own.

If you use in-ear headphones a lot, switch to over-ear headphones. This will help to stop earwax from getting stuck in your ear canal.

Why choose Spire Healthcare?

When you have earwax removal treatment at Spire Healthcare, you’ll be treated by an experienced, GMC-registered ENT consultant, so you can rest assured that you’ll receive high-quality, expert care.

We provide a variety of ear removal treatments, including microsuction, ear irrigation and ear curettage, so you’ll be offered the best treatment for your individual circumstances.

You can also choose your preferred hospital and consultant and arrange an appointment that works around your schedule.