Ear care

Our practice is unable to offer ear syringing, as this is an area that is no longer funded in primary care.

We will continue to carry out ear checks if necessary for patients prior to Audiology appointments or for patients worried about hearing loss and are able to recommend alternative local services. 

Symptoms of earwax build-up

• hearing loss
• earache or a feeling that your ears are blocked
• ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)
• vertigo (feeling dizzy and sick)

How you can treat earwax build-up yourself

Important: Do not use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax. This will push it in and make it worse.

Earwax usually falls out on its own. If it does not and blocks your ear, put 2 to 3 drops of medical grade olive or almond oil in your ear 3 to 4 times a day. Do this for 3 to 5 days.

It is recommended you use a dropper while lying your head on one side for a few minutes to let the oil work its way through your ear canal(s).

You may find it easier to do this first thing in the morning and then just before you go to sleep.

Over about 2 weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear, especially at night when you’re lying down.

There’s no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax.

A pharmacist can help with earwax build-up

Speak to a pharmacist about earwax build-up. They can give advice and suggest treatments.

They might recommend medicines 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).