Earwax build-up

Earwax build-up | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Ears, nose and throat Earwax build-up Earwax build-up Earwax is made inside your ears to keep them clean. It usually falls out on its own. Sometimes too much can build up and block the ears. A build-up of earwax is a common problem. It can often be treated using eardrops bought from a pharmacy. Symptoms of an earwax build-up A build-up of earwax in your ear can cause: earache hearing loss tinnitus (hearing sounds from inside your body) itchiness in or around the ear ear infections These problems will usually get better once the build up of earwax has been removed. What to do if you think your ear is blocked Do not 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. Try eardrops If the earwax is only causing minor problems, you can try buying some eardrops from a pharmacy. Using drops may make your hearing or symptoms a little worse at first before getting better. 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 almond oil Eardrops arent suitable for everyone and some can irritate the skin. You shouldnt use eardrops if you have a hole or tear in your eardrum. Speak to your pharmacist about the right product for you and make sure you read the leaflet that comes with it. Find your nearest pharmacy When to get medical advice Speak to your GP practice if: youre worried about your symptoms eardrops havent helped after 1 week Diagnosing earwax build up Your GP or practice nurse will look inside your ears to check if theyre blocked. They might carry out some simple hearing tests. Treatments to remove earwax If pharmacy treatment doesnt work, speak to your GP practice. Treatments may include: ear irrigation  a quick and painless procedure where an electric pump is used to push water into your ear and wash the earwax out microsuction  a quick and painless procedure where a small device is used to suck the earwax out of your ear (you may need to be referred for this) These treatments are not suitable for everyone. Your doctor can discuss this with you. If these treatments dont help, your GP may refer you to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. What causes a build up of earwax? Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax. Other causes include: producing naturally hard or dry earwax having narrow or hairy ear canals (the tube between the opening of the ear and the eardrum) being elderly, as earwax becomes drier with age bony growths in the outer part of the ear canal Earwax can also block your ear if you often insert objects into your ear, such as cotton buds, ear plugs or hearing aids. Source: ENT Scotland - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 28 March 2024 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Self-help guide: Earache Earache Tinnitus Other health sites British Tinnitus Association: Tinnitus and earwax Action on Hearing Loss: Protect your hearing Hearing Link: Your hearing Find your nearest pharmacy Enter a place or postcode NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852