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1 Audiology Service Ear wax Information for you Follow us on Find us on Facebook at Visit our website: All our publications are available in other formats

2 ...Information for you...information for you...information for you. This information leaflet will give you information on how ear wax can affect your hearing aid, and give you advice on looking after the health of your ears. Ear wax Glands in the skin of the outer part of the ear canal produce and secrete ear wax. Ear wax helps to clean, lubricate and protect the ear canal from dirt, bacteria and fungus. Excessive or impacted wax can cause: temporary hearing loss tinnitus (noises in the ear) vertigo (the sensation of movement while still) dizziness itching earache If you use a hearing aid, ear wax can reduce the effectiveness of the hearing aid, cause whistling noises or feedback, and in some cases damage to the hearing aid. Normally, ear wax works its way out of the ear canal picking up dust, dirt and dead skins as it travels out of the ear. Daily personal hygiene, by washing your 2

3 ..Information for you...information for you...information for you face and wiping the opening to your ears with a face cloth will help to clean away wax that appears at the entrance of the ear. In most cases, you don t need to do anything further to keep your ears clean and free from wax blockage. Occasionally, some of us will have problems due to a build up of wax that needs to be removed. This is often as a result of interfering with the natural cleaning process by poking in our ears, or by using a hearing aid. If this does happen, it is best to get professional advice to confirm that the ear is blocked with wax and then advice on how to remove the wax. There are a number of ways to remove a wax blockage: Ear drops: Before the ear is cleaned, you may be asked to use ear drops to soften wax. You can buy ear drops for this. However, olive oil is usually just as effective and is something most of us have at home. Olive oil drops are still safe to use even if you think or know you have a perforated eardrum unless your doctor has told you otherwise. If you experience any pain when using ear drops, stop using the drops and speak to your family doctor (GP). 3

4 ...Information for you...information for you...information for you. Ear irrigation: Washing the wax out of the ear is common practice. This involves the use of a gentle jet of water directed into the ear to wash out excessive wax. This is not suitable for people with a perforated eardrum or a history of ear infections. If you have had a problem with ear irrigation in the past, let your nurse or family doctor (GP) know. Specialist treatment: If the wax proves to be stubborn and cannot be removed through the use of ear drops and irrigation, you may need to see a specialist Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor or nurse. An ENT specialist may use other methods to clean the ear, such as suctioning out the wax or manually cleaning the ear with a small probe. In most cases your own family doctor (GP) or practice nurse can identify a wax problem and make arrangements to remove the wax. They will usually ask you to soften the wax for seven days using ear drops, and then return to the surgery to have the wax removed. If you use a hearing aid, you might not realise you have a problem with wax until your audiologist advises you. In most cases you will need to go to your family doctor (GP) to have the wax removed, as it will have to be softened for seven days before it can be removed. 4

5 ..Information for you...information for you...information for you If you think that you have a problem with ear wax, you should see your own family doctor (GP) or practice nurse for advice. In some cases, you may need to see an ENT specialist for help. Your questions answered What should I do if I think I have too much wax in my ears? Ask your family doctor (GP) or practice nurse to examine your ears for wax. If you use a hearing aid and are due to visit the Audiology Department, ask your audiologist to check for you. Who can clean my ears? Your family doctor (GP), practice nurse or ENT specialist are the people best qualified to do this. Do not attempt to clean your own ears as this often makes the problem worse by packing the wax further into the ear. How often should I have my ears cleaned? You only need to have your ears cleaned if it has been confirmed there is a wax blockage. The ears clean themselves, so regular cleaning is not normally required. 5

6 ...Information for you...information for you...information for you. I ve been asked by the doctor to soften the wax. How do I do this? It is easier to get someone to put oil into the affected ear. You should do this while lying on your back with your head turned to the side. Fill the ear canal with the oil and leave it for ten minutes. This will allow the oil to soak into the wax. Remember when you sit up that some of the oil may run out, so have a tissue handy. You should do this for seven days. Can I use cotton buds to clean my ear? Cotton buds tend to push more wax deeper into the ear than they actually remove. There is also a risk that you could hurt or damage your ear by poking in it, so you must not use cotton buds to do this. The old saying of not putting anything smaller than your elbow in your ear is still good advice. 6

7 ..Information for you...information for you...information for you Further information If you would like more information, please contact the Audiology Service. Audiology Service - NHS Ayrshire & Arran Audiology Department University Hospital Ayr Dalmellington Road Ayr KA6 6DX Telephone: / audiology.service@nhs.net 7

8 All of our publications are available in different languages, larger print, braille (English only), audio tape or another format of your choice. Tha gach sgrìobhainn againn rim faotainn ann an diofar chànanan, clò nas motha, Braille (Beurla a-mhàin), teip claistinn no riochd eile a tha sibh airson a thaghadh Tell us what you think... If you would like to comment on any issues raised by this document, please complete this form and return it to: Communications Department, 28 Lister Street, University Hospital Crosshouse, Crosshouse KA2 0BB. You can also us at: comms@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk. If you provide your contact details, we will acknowledge your comments and pass them to the appropriate departments for a response. Name Address Comment Last reviewed: August 2016 Leaflet reference: MIS CC