Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs. It usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears.
Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs. It usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears.
A build-up of earwax is a common problem that can often be treated using eardrops bought from a pharmacy.
If pharmacy treatment doesn't work, contact your doctor surgery. They may suggest having your ears washed out.
If these treatments don't help, your doctor may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) department for specialised treatment.
Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax.
Other factors that can increase the risk of too much earwax include:
Earwax can also block your ear if you frequently insert objects into your ear canal, such as cotton buds, ear plugs or hearing aids.
A build-up of earwax in your ear can cause:
These problems will usually improve once the excess earwax has been removed.
Don't try to remove a build-up of earwax yourself with your fingers, a cotton bud or any other object. This can damage your ear and push the wax further down.
If the earwax is only causing minor problems, you can try buying some eardrops from a pharmacy. These can help soften the earwax so that it falls out naturally.
There are several different types of eardrops you can use, including drops containing sodium bicarbonate, olive oil or almond oil.
However, eardrops aren't suitable for everyone and some can irritate the skin. For example, eardrops shouldn't be used if you have a
(a hole or tear in your eardrum).Speak to your pharmacist about the most suitable product for you and make sure you read the leaflet that comes with it.
Contact your doctor surgery if you have particularly troublesome symptoms or eardrops haven't helped after three to five days.
Your doctor or practice nurse will look inside your ears to check if they're blocked and might carry out some simple hearing tests.
They may suggest using eardrops for a bit longer, or they may carry out a minor procedure called ear irrigation to clean out your ear canal.
If these treatments aren't suitable or don't help, your doctor may refer you to the ENT department of your nearest hospital for more specialised treatments such as microsuction or an aural toilet.
There are several different earwax removal treatments available.
The main treatments are:
Not all these treatments are suitable for everyone. Your pharmacist or doctor can let you know what treatments may work for you and they can tell you about any associated risks or side effects.
Some people are naturally prone to earwax building up in their ears and may need frequent treatment to remove it when it becomes a problem.
It's not clear if there's anything you can do to stop earwax blocking your ears, although some doctors recommend using eardrops regularly to keep your earwax soft.
Don't try to scrape out the earwax with your finger or an object inserted into your ear, as this this can make the problem worse.
Speak to your doctor for advice if earwax builds up in your ears regularly.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.