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Earwax
Earwax is a build-up of cerumen, sebum, dead cells, sweat, hair and foreign material - eg, dust. [1] Cerumen has
antibacterial and antifungal properties. [2] Earwax is a normal physiological substance that protects the ear canal.
The quantity produced varies greatly between individuals. Earwax may be either wet or dry. Wet wax is either soft
(more common in children) or hard (more common in the elderly and more likely to become impacted and
thereby cause symptoms). Dry wax is dry, flaky and golden yellow and is common in people from Asia. [1]
Epidemiology
Being a physiological process, earwax is a universal phenomenon. Impacted earwax is more common in:
The elderly. [3]
People who use hearing aids.
Those who use cotton ear buds.
It has been estimated that up to two million ear irrigations are performed in England and Wales each
year. [4] Reported prevalence rates from varying populations range from 7-34%. [5]
One study reported a high incidence of earwax in people with schizophrenia; this was linked to reduced
functioning and social isolation. [6]
Presentation [1]
May be asymptomatic.
Hearing loss. [7]
Blocked ears.
Ear discomfort.
Tinnitus.
Itchiness.
Vertigo (not all experts believe that wax is a cause of vertigo).
Cough (rare and caused by pressure on the auricular branch of the vagus nerve).
There may be a history of exposure to water (this causes expansion of the earwax and may cause
complete blockage of the ear canal).
Examination
Examine both ear canals with an auriscope.
Assessment of conductive hearing loss may include Rinne's test and the Weber's test.
Differential diagnosis
Other causes of acute deafness - eg, Eustachian tube dysfunction, foreign body.
Otitis externa.
Management [8, 9]
Impacted earwax can be treated with ear drops, irrigation, microsuction or curettage. Ear drops are considered
first-line and often the only treatment required. Microsuction is safer than irrigation but not widely available.
Complications of irrigation can be minimised by correct training and care. There is little good evidence on the
relative effectiveness of the various treatment options. [10]
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Indications for removal of earwax
Earwax only needs removal if it is causing symptoms or interfering with a view of the eardrum or ear canal.
Removal may be indicated if:
Earwax is totally occluding the ear canal and causing hearing loss, earache, tinnitus or vertigo.
The tympanic membrane is obscured by wax but must be viewed to establish a diagnosis.
The person wears a hearing aid, wax is present and an impression needs to be taken of the ear canal
for a mould, or if wax is causing the hearing aid to whistle.
Ear drops
Ear drops are often the appropriate first-line treatment. There is little evidence on their relative effectiveness to
guide choice. [10] The British National Formulary (BNF) recommends olive oil or almond oil be used, as sodium
bicarbonate drops may cause dryness of the ear canal, and docusate sodium or urea hydrogen peroxide, which
are ingredients in a number of proprietary preparations for softening earwax can irritate the external
meatus. [11] Do not advise almond oil drops if the person has an allergy to almonds.
Prescribe ear drops for 3-5 days initially, to soften wax and aid removal. Regular use of ear drops may be
indicated for patients with recurrent earwax problems.
Do not use drops if the person has a possible perforated tympanic membrane.
Irrigation
If symptoms persist despite ear drops, consider ear irrigation, providing that there are no contraindications (see 'Contra-indication for ear irrigation', below).
The use of softening ear drops (such as olive oil) is advised for 3-5 days prior to irrigation. This is
partly as irrigation may not then be required and partly because it may help reduce the potential for
trauma to the ear canal. [1]
Self-irrigation using a bulb syringe has been advocated for people who require regular irrigation, thus
reducing the demand on primary care. [12]
Seek immediate advice from an ENT specialist if severe pain, deafness, or vertigo occurs during or
after irrigation, or if a perforation is seen following the procedure.
Advise anyone who has had earwax removed to return if they develop otalgia, significant itching of the
ear, discharge from the ear or swelling of the external auditory meatus, as this may indicate infection.
If irrigation is unsuccessful, consider one of the following:
Advise the person to use ear drops for a further 3-5 days and then return for further irrigation.
Instil water into the ear. After 15 minutes irrigate the ear again.
Refer to an ENT specialist for removal of wax.
Several other mechanical removal techniques are available but usually only in secondary care - eg,
ear curettes and forceps, microsuction.
Contra-indication for ear irrigation [1, 9]
Signs or symptoms of current infection: otitis externa or otitis media.
Current perforation of the tympanic membrane or a history of perforation of the tympanic membrane in
the previous 12 months. (Some experts would include any history of perforation ever.) A mucous
discharge from the ear within the previous 12 months is also a contra-indication, as it may indicate an
undiagnosed perforation.
History of any previous problem with irrigation (pain, perforation, severe vertigo).
Grommets in place.
History of any ear surgery (except extruded grommets with subsequent discharge from an ENT
department).
History of a middle ear infection in the previous six weeks.
History of recurrent otitis externa or tinnitus.
Cleft palate (whether repaired or not).
A foreign body containing vegetable matter, in the ear. (The water may cause it to swell.)
Hearing only in the ear to be treated (due to the small possibility of irrigation causing permanent
deafness).
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Confusion or agitation (may be unable to sit still).
Inability to co-operate - eg, young children and some people with learning disabilities.
Cautions with irrigation
Vertigo (may indicate the presence of middle ear disease with perforation of the tympanic membrane).
Recurrent otitis media (thin scars on the tympanic membrane can easily be perforated).
Those with immunocompromise or at increased risk of infection.
Indications for referral [1]
Chronic perforation of the tympanic membrane.
Past history of ear surgery.
Foreign body, including vegetable matter, in their ear canal.
Ear drops have been unsuccessful and irrigation is contra-indicated.
Irrigation is unsuccessful.
Refer or seek urgent advice if infection is present and the external canal needs to be cleared of wax, debris and
discharge. Also as stated above, seek immediate advice from an ENT specialist if severe pain, deafness, or
vertigo occurs during or after irrigation, or if a perforation is seen following the procedure.
Complications [1]
Impacted wax may cause conductive hearing loss.
Infection may sometimes occur as a result of wax impaction.
Recurrence is common.
Complications of irrigation
Otitis externa.
Perforation of the tympanic membrane.
Damage to the external auditory meatus.
Pain.
Otitis media (due to water entering the middle ear when there is a previous perforation).
Exacerbation of pre-existing tinnitus.
Bleeding may also occur but is usually self-limiting.
Nausea, vomiting and vertigo.
Facial nerve palsy has been reported. [13]
Further reading & references
Feig MA, Hammer E, Volker U, et al; In-depth proteomic analysis of the human cerumen-Apotential novel diagnostically
relevant biofluid. J Proteomics. 2013 Mar 18;83C:119-129. doi: 10.1016/j.jprot.2013.03.004.
Rogers N, Stevermer JJ; PURLs: Ear wax removal: help patients help themselves. J Fam Pract. 2011 Nov;60(11):671-3.
Ear care best practice statement; NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2006)
1. Earwax; NICE CKS, May 2012 (UK access only)
2. Lum CL, Jeyanthi S, Prepageran N, et al; Antibacterial and antifungal properties of human cerumen. J Laryngol Otol. 2009
Apr;123(4):375-8. doi: 10.1017/S0022215108003307. Epub 2008 Aug 11.
3. Oron Y, Zwecker-Lazar I, Levy D, et al; Cerumen removal: comparison of cerumenolytic agents and effect on cognition
among the elderly. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2011 Mar-Apr;52(2):228-32. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2010.03.025. Epub 2010 Apr
24.
4. Loveman E, Gospodarevskaya E, Clegg A, et al; Ear wax removal interventions: a systematic review and economic
evaluation. Br J Gen Pract. 2011 Oct;61(591):e680-3. doi: 10.3399/bjgp11X601497.
5. Browning GG; Ear wax. Clin Evid (Online). 2008 Jan 25;2008. pii: 0504.
6. Saana E, Eila S, Kaisla J, et al; Cerumen impaction in patients with schizophrenia. Clin Schizophr Relat Psychoses. 2013
Feb 27:1-10.
7. Adobamen PR, Ogisi FO; Hearing loss due to wax impaction. Nig Q J Hosp Med. 2012 Apr-Jun;22(2):117-20.
8. Clegg AJ, Loveman E, Gospodarevskaya E, et al; The safety and effectiveness of different methods of earwax removal: a
systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess. 2010 Jun;14(28):1-192. doi: 10.3310/hta14280.
9. Poulton S, Yau S, Anderson D, et al; Ear wax management. Aust Fam Physician. 2015 Oct;44(10):731-4.
10. Burton MJ, Doree C; Ear drops for the removal of ear wax. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Jan 21;(1):CD004326.
11. British National Formulary; NICE Evidence Services (UK access only)
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12. Coppin R, Wicke D, Little P; Randomized trial of bulb syringes for earwax: impact on health service utilization. Ann Fam
Med. 2011 Mar-Apr;9(2):110-4. doi: 10.1370/afm.1229.
13. Thomas AM, Poojary B, Badaridatta HC; Facial nerve palsy as a complication of ear syringing. J Laryngol Otol. 2012
Jul;126(7):714-6. doi: 10.1017/S0022215112000886. Epub 2012 May 29.
Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical
conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its
accuracy. Consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.
For details see our conditions.
Original Author:
Dr Colin Tidy
Current Version:
Dr Mary Harding
Peer Reviewer:
Dr Helen Huins
Document ID:
537 (v6)
Last Checked:
12/05/2016
Next Review:
11/05/2021
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