Ear wax removal drops are often the first thing people try when an ear feels blocked. This guide explains what they actually do, how to use them safely, and what to do if they don't help.
How do ear wax removal drops work?
Ear wax removal drops work by softening earwax. Softer wax may move out of the ear on its own, or be easier to remove. Drops don't clear a blockage straight away, and they often don't clear it at all.
Different drops work in slightly different ways:
Oil drops
Olive oil and almond oil drops soften wax. They don't dissolve it. Don't use almond oil if you're allergic to almonds.
Sodium bicarbonate drops
Sodium bicarbonate drops help break the wax down. One NHS hospital leaflet says to use them for no more than 7 to 10 days at a time.
Other types of ear drops are also on sale. Always follow the instructions on the pack.
Do ear wax removal drops actually remove wax?
Not usually. Drops soften wax, but most of the time the wax stays in the ear. Softened wax can move and settle, so your ear may feel more blocked and your hearing may feel worse for a while.
In our experience, the best way to deal with a blocked ear is to have the wax removed by an ear care specialist. Most people don't need to use drops before microsuction.
How long do ear wax drops take to work?
The NHS advice for oil drops is 2 to 3 drops, 3 to 4 times a day, for 3 to 5 days. Over about 2 weeks, small lumps of wax may come out, often at night.
If your ear still feels blocked after 5 days, don't keep going. Get your ear checked.
How do I put ear drops in?
Warm the bottle in your hand first, so the drops are close to body temperature.
Lie on your side with the blocked ear facing up.
Put the drops in and stay lying down for about 5 minutes.
Wipe away any extra with a tissue. Don't push anything into your ear.
Stinging, popping sounds or a brief drop in hearing can happen. If it hurts, stop using the drops and get your ear checked.
Who shouldn't use ear wax removal drops?
Don't use drops, and get your ear checked first, if you have:
a perforated eardrum, or you think you might have one
an ear infection, earache or discharge from the ear
grommets, or you've had ear surgery
had problems with ear drops before, or an allergy to any of the ingredients
What if the drops aren't working?
Hard or large wax blockages often won't clear with drops. Don't try to wash the wax out yourself with a bulb syringe or a DIY kit, and don't use cotton buds or ear candles. These can push wax deeper or hurt your ear.
An ear care specialist can look into your ear and remove the wax safely. At Interhearing we use microsuction: a fine suction tube gently lifts the wax out while we watch on a video otoscope, so you can see it too. No water is used. If we can't clear it all at the first visit, you can come back for a free follow-up appointment. Read more about how long earwax removal takes.
Still blocked after using drops?
If your ear feels full, sounds muffled or keeps blocking up, drops alone may not be enough. Waiting means more days of straining to hear.
Book ear wax removal with one of our ear care specialists. We'll check your ear, remove the wax and tell you what we found. You can book online or call us free on 0800 002 9503.
