Blocked Ears (Wax)

Earwax is a normal build-up of dead cells, hair, foreign material such as dust, and natural wax which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The quantity of earwax produced varies greatly from person to person.  A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax has formed. A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing or when fitting a hearing aid.

The Practice will no longer be able to offer ear irrigation (syringing) as a treatment for the removal of earwax. This follows a recent review that suggests other management options, including self-care, can be safer and more effective in dealing with problematic earwax.

Further information on how to self care can be found on our Patient Information Leaflet for Blocked Ears