Preparation for wax removal
It is recommended to use earwax softening drops for 3-4 days before an appointment, to soften and loosen built up or impacted ear wax . Ear wax drops very rarely remove the ear wax. This is beneficial if you are going for professional ear wax removal as softer, looser wax is easier to remove than hard, impacted wax.
There are several types of ear drops that you can use to loosen and soften ear wax. such as olive oil, almond oil and bicarbonate of soda.
We do not recommend the use of hydrogen peroxide although proprietary drops such as Otex which contain hydrogen peroxide are safe to use but can be harsher on the lining of your ear canal so follow the instructions carefully.
If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist for advice.
Caution: If a perforation of the ear drum has been diagnosed in the past, drops should be avoided (unless you are certain it has healed), as they may cause issues with middle ear infections. Do not use almond oil if you have a nut allergy.
Using drops
Drops need to be applied at body temperature - hold the bottle in your hand for a minute or two before applying. You will be better off with an ear wax oil that has a spray top. If you cannot get a spray bottle, use a dropper.
The ear should be facing upwards when the oil is applied to make sure that it comes into contact with the wax plug, so lie on your side. Pull the outer ear gently backwards and upwards to straighten the ear canal. Put 2-3 sprays or drops of oil into the ear and gently massage the tragus (the small flap just in front of the ear) for about 30 seconds. Once applied, stay lying on your side for 10 minutes. This ensures that the wax gets a chance to soak up the oil and soften. Then you can sit up and wipe away any excess which will come out of the ear but do not plug your ear with cotton wool as this simply absorbs the oil.
Your ear may feel more blocked after using oil or drops because the wax absorbs the oil and expands. For some people, using oil/drops may also induce fluctuations in your hearing and mild discomfort or irritation.
If you are not sure, ask your pharmacist for advice.
If you wear hearing instruments, and oil enters the hearing aid, it may adversely affect the function of the instrument. Therefore, it may be advisable to avoid wearing the hearing aid when drops have recently been administered.
