We all have earwax, but when you have too much, it can affect your hearing and cause uncomfortable symptoms.
Talk to us about your health, and we’ll recommend the right treatments just for you. Order ear wax treatment online, and get your medication delivered to your door.
Here’s what's included in the price:
Consultation
Answer a few questions about your health so we can get to know you better.
Free 24h delivery
Your treatment delivered in secure packaging, the very next day.
Aftercare
We’ll check in with you regularly to see how your treatment is going.
Ear wax is a substance made of dead skin cells, oils produced by the skin, debris, and a substance called cerumen. It’s a substance that we all produce in the outer ear canal, and it’s actually quite useful. It provides lubrication and protects our ears from external threats like bacteria, fungi, and water.
But sometimes you may produce more ear wax than you need, which can cause some irritating symptoms. This overproduction of wax leads to what’s commonly referred to as ear wax buildup.
Who gets ear wax buildup?
Anyone can get ear wax buildup, as we all have it. But some people naturally produce more wax than others or have more narrow ear canals that get impacted more easily. Ear wax buildup is also much more common in children under five and people over fifty.
People who try to clean their ear canal by themselves using foreign bodies are at a much higher risk of becoming impacted as well. So you might want to avoid using cotton swabs to clean out your ears.
How common is ear wax buildup?
Ear wax build-up is a very common condition. Statistics show that 2.3 million in the UK need treatment for ear wax impaction each year. This is much more common in older populations, and it’s estimated that 18 to 65% of people over 65 years old suffer from ear wax build-up.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Ear wax treatment
What causes ear wax buildup?
Some people are simply more prone to ear wax buildup, as they make more than the average person. But there are some other risk factors that can lead to impaction. These include:
an ear canal that is narrower than it should be, or is shaped differently than the norm. This makes it easier for ear wax to build up over time
more hair in your ear canal, which can lead to ear wax buildup
having Down’s syndrome, which usually means having narrower ear canals, which puts you at more risk of impaction
Cleaning the ear with a cotton bud can push the wax back into the canal and cause buildup. As a general rule, to prevent ear wax buildup you should avoid inserting any foreign objects in your ears.
What are the symptoms of ear wax buildup?
When you’re examined by a clinician, they might ask a few questions to check if you have ear wax buildup symptoms, and then they’ll look inside your ears using an otoscope to confirm their diagnosis. But you can also be diagnosed and treated without having your ears examined. The clinician might ask you about some other signs of ear wax buildup, like:
hearing loss, which is one of the most common symptoms
earache
blocked ears
discomfort
itchiness around or in the ear canal
tinnitus, a ringing sound
vertigo, a type of dizziness
Can ear wax buildup lead to other problems?
The symptoms associated with ear wax buildup can end up affecting your quality of life, and ear wax impaction can increase your chance of infections. Using cotton buds to clean your ears can both cause impaction and lead to infections, so try not to use them.
If you have any signs of infection, you should see a clinician straight away so they can treat you. Ear wax buildup can make it hard for clinicians to examine your ears, so they might have to rely on your symptoms to confirm an infection.
Ear wax treatment
What medications are there for ear wax buildup?
Ear wax buildup can be treated at home with some natural remedies. For example, you can put a couple of drops of medical-grade olive or almond oil in your ear a few times a day. A mix of water and sodium bicarbonate can loosen ear wax build-up too.
Other than home remedies, you can get drops from a pharmacy, which are ear drops often used for impacted ear wax or excess wax. Hydrogen peroxide drops are often the go-to if olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops haven’t helped. You can also have a non-invasive procedure like ear irrigation and ear wax suction. Keep in mind that not all clinicians offer this service.
Is there a ‘best’ treatment for ear wax buildup?
The best ear wax buildup treatment usually depends on the person and what works for you. A clinician can work with you to find it. If you tell us about your symptoms, we’ll help you find the best treatment for you.
The first treatment recommended for ear wax buildup is usually ear drops. There are a few different drops you can try. But if these don’t work, and they might not, you should go back to the clinician for further advice. They might then recommend non-surgical procedures like vacuuming, to remove impacted ear wax.
Does ear wax buildup always need treatment?
Ear wax usually falls out on its own, but once the wax becomes impacted you’ll usually need treatment. If the symptoms are affecting your daily life or causing discomfort, you may also want to talk to a clinician.
You can try simple ways to get rid of ear wax build-up, such as using natural olive or almond oil as ear drops a few times a day or sodium bicarbonate drops which you can prepare at home or get from a registered pharmacy.
Ear wax treatment
FAQ: Ear wax treatment
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Can you get side effects from ear wax buildup treatment?
Answer:
The most common treatment for ear wax buildup is ear drops, and they usually don’t cause any side effects. But, if you do experience some, it’ll usually be stinging straight after you use them.
To avoid that, make sure you’re not allergic to any of the ingredients. You should also make sure that the ear drops haven’t expired. Always check the expiry date of any medication, especially if you’ve had it for a while.
How is ear wax buildup diagnosed?
Answer:
Ear wax buildup is usually diagnosed by a clinician, who will ask you about your symptoms, and examine your ear canal with an otoscope. It’s not a painful examination but you might experience some mild discomfort.
There are no specific tests for ear wax buildup, so it’s up to the clinician’s visual examination or them listening to your symptoms. If you have a severe impaction, they might refer you to a specialist for more examination and treatment.
Does ear wax buildup treatment always work?
Answer:
Ear drops are usually effective in the treatment of ear war build-up. But if they don’t work, or the impaction is severe, you might have to try some non-surgical procedures such as suction or ear irrigation. These either suck out the ear wax or use water to flush it out.
If you order ear wax buildup treatment with us, we’ll check in to see how your treatment is going. If you have any questions or your treatment isn’t working for you, you just have to log into your account and message one of our clinicians.
Why should I buy ear wax buildup treatment online with Treated?
Answer:
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get ear wax buildup treatment, then look no further. Our clinicians are here to help you find the best treatment option for your specific health needs and to provide expert aftercare for as long as necessary.
All you have to do is talk to us about your health and how ear wax build up has been affecting you. We’ll help you find the best treatment for you and deliver it quickly and conveniently. If the treatment isn’t working as you expected, don’t worry, our clinicians will check in on you and recommend something different.
Alabi, B., Adegbiji, W., Olajuyin, O. and Nwawolo, C. (2014).
Earwax impaction: Symptoms, predisposing factors and perception among Nigerians. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 3(4), p.379. [Accessed 6 Sep. 2019].
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
This treatment category isn't suitable for the gender you have selected.
If you made a mistake on the gender selection, you can amend this by pressing 'Cancel' below and changing your gender. If you entered the correct gender but made a mistake on the treatment category selection, you can choose a different category by pressing 'Choose other treatment' below.