Wax in ear removal

What is wax in the ear?

Wax in the ear, commonly called earwax and clinically cerumen, is a natural substance that lubricates, protects and cleans the ear-canal. It is a mixture of dead skin cells, and oil (sebum)from the sebaceous glands. We tend to produce different types of wax. Some people produce drier consistencies and some people produce more liquid consistencies of earwax.

What does ear wax impaction and earwax occlusion mean?

We, audiologists describe wax as impacted when the wax is completely lodged against the eardrum. We describe wax as occluded when it obstructs the view of the eardrum. Wax can be described as partially occluding the eardrum (i.e. enabling us to view some of the ear canal and eardrum) or wax can be fully occluding the eardrum (meaning we are not able to see anything behind the wax).

What causes ear wax impaction and ear wax occlusion?

• The anatomy of the ear 

In clinic, we tend to observe earwax build-up in people with smaller, sharply winding or narrower ear canals than the average person.

• Age

Older people present more with obstructive wax due to less sebum production from the sebaceous glands with age resulting in drier, less lubricated wax not easily migrating out of the ear canal.

• Hearing aid users

Use of hearing aids can delay the migration of wax out of the ear, as hearing aids are typically seated at the exit area of the earcanal for earwax.

• Nursing home residents

Older people are prone to earwax build-up and sometimes neglect of self. Some residents might not be able to prioritise their hygiene as they did when younger.  

• Tradespersons in occupations with a lot of dust

The ear canal is prone to producing earwax to rid the ear canal of dust. This can be an adaptation which the ear canal continues to present long after the person may have moved to a different job or retired.

• Use of foreign objects

Pushing foreign objects into the ear in a bid to itch or remove ear wax can inadvertently push the wax further into the ear canal.

• Use of cotton buds

Similar to using foreign objects, pushing the cotton bud into the ear canal could also push the wax further towards the eardrum with the back-and-forth motion commonly used to remove wax from the ear.

Safe home-care measures for wax in ear removal

The best measure is doing nothing at all! The ear canal typically self-cleans itself outwards. The ear canal is skilled at pushing wax in the ear outwards like a slow-moving conveyor belt. Sometimes there are various factors that may stop this from happening efficiently. Like our very actions described above. i.e. the use of cotton buds or foreign objects in the ear! The audiologist can advise on the best frequency for use of ear drops if this is advisable for an individual's case.

When to seek professional assessment for ear wax removal?

If your ear feels full, feels blocked, dull, sound is reduced or sound is not balanced. It is best to see a hearing specialist, doctor, or Audiologist to confirm and assess the status of the ear.

Methods for wax in ear removal

Methods include: Micro-suction, Irrigation and manual extraction

Ear microsuction involves the use of a small nozzle attached to a tube and into a suction pump to gently extract wax out of the ear with suction. Irrigation involves spraying water against to earcanal walls to help dislodge the occluding wax out of the ear. Manual extraction involves the use of a tool like a curette, jobson horne or St barts hook to scoop or remove wax in the ear.

Typical length of the appointment

The length of the appointment for wax in the ear removal depends on the ear canal shape, the ear wax amount, wax consistency and how long the wax has been in the ear. Softening the earwax prior to the appointment generally helps the process. Time length can range from 30mins to 45mins on average. If the earwax is particularly stubborn, deeply impacted and/or long-seated, In some rare cases a 2nd visit might be required, allowing time for natural migration outward and/or further softening with ear drops. 

Aftercare advice for non- hearing aid users

Depending on age, history and anatomical shape of the ear. We typically advise an ear-check once a year or every 2 years to check for ear wax buildup and if applicable removal. 

Aftercare advice for hearing aid users

Hearing aid users would typically get their ears checked often, or at least every 6 months to 12 months when they attend aftercare appointments or annual review appointments. This is especially important for the hearing aid user to continue to hear optimally from their hearing aids, for their hearing aids to work properly and for accurate hearing assessments or reviews to be carried out. 

 How our audiologists assess whether hearing loss is wax-related, and the follow-up care they offer.

We assess if the hearing loss is wax-related by initially examining the ears with an otoscope or a video otoscope.  If there is obstructive or impacted wax, we remove with safe methods like microsuction, manual extraction or irrigation depending on the patient history, wax consistency and even patient preference. 

Sonant Hearing Clinic is a trusted local provider for wax removal from ears in Rochester and Chatham, Medway, Kent. We employ gentle methods of wax in ear extraction. 

You can contact us on 01634 479550 to arrange your appointment for wax removal in ear with Sonant Hearing Clinic at our Rochester branch or our Chatham Dockside branch.

FAQ

How long can the appointment take for wax in ear removal?

The appointment can take between 30-45 minutes for most people

Does wax in ear removal hurt?

Microsuction is usually gentle for most people, but people have various tolerance levels and the wax composition, texture, amount and position can all influence how the procedure goes.

Does using oil in the ear before my wax removal appointment help?

Yes using olive oil just a few days before the appointment can help make removal easier, but there is a careful balance!

Reviewed by Kechi Oribabor MSc. RHAD HCPC - Clinical Audiologist  (Updated 06/11/2026)