Ear Irrigation (Ear Syringing)
If you are deaf and you don't know why, you should see a doctor. If we find it is wax causing it, we will advise the olive oil treatment for a minimum of 14 days. Ear wax does not cause pain, only decreased hearing.
If you have pain persisting for more than 48hrs on regular painkillers, please see the Doctor or the Nurse.
Do not try to clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds, etc. This can make things worse as you will push some wax deeper inside. It may also cause an ear infection. Let the ear 'clean itself'.
If you have, or suspect you have any kind of ear problem other than wax you should NOT put anything down the ear except after medical advice.
Please do not directly book to have your ears ‘syringed’ we need to establish if this is the correct option and instead please contact the surgery with the problems you are having.
Ear irrigation is only recommended in the rare occasions as it can lead to ear infections, perforated ear drum and tinnitus (persistent noise) and therefore it is only performed in exceptional circumstances.
We will provide the Ear Irrigation where the patient:
- Has a previously diagnosed hearing impairment not solely caused by the presence of wax; and/or
- Wears a hearing aid; and/or
- Where referral to audiology is planned but ear wax needs removal prior to audiological assessment; and/or
- Has been referred to the practice by audiology
Outside of these criteria Ear Irrigation is not funded by Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin ICS and so is not available at Albrighton Medical Practice.
Earwax
Earwax is a normal build-up of dead cells, hair, foreign material such as dust, and natural wax which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The quantity of earwax produced varies greatly from person to person.
A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax has formed. A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing or when fitting a hearing aid.
Note: If you think you have ear wax, do not try to clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds. This can make things worse, as you will push some earwax deeper inside. It may also cause an ear infection.
If you know you have a wax problem causing deafness and that your ear is healthy you can start the treatment for yourself.
How to remove earwax
Ear drops
Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of ordinary olive oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. This softens the wax so that it then runs out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue for any length of time, but 3 weeks is usually enough. Surprisingly, you will not necessarily see wax come out. It often seems to come out unnoticed.
If you are prone to repeated wax built up you can continue to use olive oil drops twice a week to prevent recurrence.
If olive oil does not work you can buy sodium bicarbonate drops from pharmacies.
How to use ear drops:
Warm the drops to room temperature before using them
Pour a few drops into the affected ear
Lie with the affected ear uppermost when putting in drops
Stay like this for 10 minutes to allow the drops to soak into the earwax.
Ear wax is a natural product of the body and it is normal to have within the ear canal. Its function is to provide protection against infection. Ear syringing can lead to ear infections, perforated ear drum and tinnitus (persistent noise).