Earwax is a natural, protective substance produced in the outer ear canal. It helps to trap dust and dirt. It also prevents infections.
Earwax can build up but it normally falls out on its own. Ask a pharmacist or your GP for help when it's blocking your ears.
Symptoms of earwax build-up
If your ear is blocked with earwax, you can have:
- a sore ear (earache)
- difficulty hearing
- itchiness
- dizziness
- an ear infection
- sounds such as high-pitched tones coming from inside the ear (tinnitus)
When the earwax is removed, these symptoms usually improve. Speak to your GP if you still have symptoms.
Causes of earwax build-up
Some people get earwax build-up because they naturally produce more earwax.
You can also get earwax build-up if you:
- have narrow ear canals, which link the eardrum and outer ear
- have a lot of ear hair
- are age 60 or older, as earwax gets harder with age
- wear hearing aids or earplugs - these can push the wax further in
Treating earwax build-up yourself
Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not, and builds up and blocks your ear, you can try to remove it.
To remove earwax build-up:
- Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
- Put 2 to 3 drops of olive oil or almond oil in your ear – do not use almond oil if you're allergic to almonds.
- Continue to lie on your side for 5 to 10 minutes after putting in the oil.
- Repeat 3 to 4 times a day, for 3 to 5 days.
Over about 2 weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear and your symptoms should improve.
If you are treating the earwax build-up yourself:
Don't
-
do not use your fingers or other objects like cotton buds to remove earwax - this will push the wax in and make it worse
-
do not use vegetable oils which might cause you to have an allergic reaction - for example, do not use almond oil if you are allergic to nuts
There's no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax.
How a pharmacist can help
A pharmacist can give you advice and suggest treatments for earwax build-up.
They might recommend drops to dissolve the earwax. The earwax should fall out on its own or dissolve after about a week.
Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum (a perforated eardrum).
Non-urgent advice: Speak to your GP if:
- has not cleared after 5 days
- is badly blocked and you cannot hear properly - you can get an infection if it is not cleared
How a GP can help
Your GP may:
- flush the wax out with water (ear irrigation)
- suck the wax out (microsuction)
These treatments are usually painless.
Preventing earwax build-up
You cannot prevent earwax from building up. The wax is there to protect your ears from dirt and germs.
You can soften it by using ear drops. This will help the wax fall out on its own and should prevent blocked ears.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
