Yes, olive oil should be slightly warmed (to body temperature) for comfort and better penetration to soften earwax, but never hot, as hot oil can burn the delicate ear canal skin, making room temperature or just body-warm oil the safest and most effective choice for softening wax. Always test the temperature on your skin first and avoid using oil if you have ear pain, discharge, a perforated eardrum, or ear tubes.
Lie down on your side with your ear facing the ceiling. Pull the top tip of your ear backwards and upwards and put 2-3 drops (or sprays) of medicated olive oil in that ear. Massage the area around that ear and then stay lying on your side for 10 minutes.
Fill the inside of your ear with the warmed olive oil. Rub the skin just in front of the ear to help the oil go all the way down into the ear. Keep the ear tilted for 5 to 10 minutes. It is a good idea to protect your pillow in case some oil or wax leaks out.
If you have been told you have excess wax, you may use olive oil drops to encourage the natural movement of wax from the ear canal: Apply the drops whilst lying on your side with the affected ear upwards. Apply one to two drops into the ear canal and gently massage the area in front of the ear.
To dissolve earwax fast, use over-the-counter (OTC) drops with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, or try oil-based drops like olive oil or mineral oil to soften it, allowing it to fall out or be flushed gently with warm water (avoid if you have ear problems). For quicker, safer removal of tough blockages, see a doctor who can use professional tools like micro-suction or curettes.
Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up. Put 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil in your ear – do not use almond oil if you're allergic to almonds. Continue to lie on your side for 5 to 10 minutes after putting in the oil. Repeat 3 to 4 times a day, for 3 to 5 days.
Your hearing problem may initially worsen after first starting to use olive oil so if both ears are blocked with wax we advise you concentrate on treating one ear at a time. In most cases, after 14 days the wax will have softened sufficiently to encourage the wax to come out without further intervention.
Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax. Other causes include: producing naturally hard or dry earwax. having narrow or hairy ear canals (the tube between the opening of the ear and the eardrum)
Often people ignore the one or two drop advice, however, or it is difficult to administer, and too much oil ends up in the ear and gets blocked by the wax causing temporary hearing loss. It is also a messy procedure, as many olive oil-stained pillows, sofas and items of clothing can attest to!
Olive oil can help soften earwax and reduce irritation in the ear. Here's how to use it: – Warm a small amount of olive oil. – Use a dropper to place a few drops of warm olive oil into the affected ear.
Symptoms of earwax blockage may include:
Simple ear massages can help the wax move naturally out of the ear canal. Professional methods, like ear irrigation, micro-suction, and curette, offer effective solutions for persistent buildup.
The oil is rich in beneficial properties and, in some cases, can help remove earwax plugs that form in the event of excess earwax. However, in some cases, it is not recommended to use it, especially if there is an overt ailment: the hot oil may inflame the ear more, even leading to temporary deafness.
Ears can become clogged for various reasons, ranging from wax build-up to changes in pressure. Common causes include excess ear wax, sinus congestion, allergies, changes in altitude, water trapped in the ear canal, upper respiratory infections and Eustachian tube dysfunction.
Remember, earwax on its own isn't bad. It cleans your ears and keeps them from getting infected. However, if earwax builds up, it can cause issues like irritation, itchiness and hearing loss. It's only safe to clean the outside of your ears and to use drops or water to soften earwax.
Chewing, talking and regular bathing is often enough to move earwax up and out of the ear. Usually, earwax gets rinsed away in the shower without you knowing it's happening. But it's possible – and totally normal – for earwax to come out in balls, clumps or lumps. The bigger problem is when earwax stays in your ears.
Your healthcare professional can remove excess wax in the ear with a small, curved tool called a curet or with suction techniques. Another method flushes out the wax with a syringe full of warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
If there is blood in your earwax, this could be a sign of an injury to the ear or a ruptured eardrum. Gray or black earwax usually means there is a buildup of dust in the ear or impacted earwax. If you are experiencing hearing loss, this could be a sign of impacted earwax.
When using solutions of olive oil for ear wax, it's reasonable to expect it to take some time before you notice effects. Built-up earwax in your ear will absorb the oil, rehydrating and separating a little. Expect it to take 4-5 days of using Earol® twice daily before the wax is loose enough for removal7.
Muffled Hearing After Earwax Removal
Residual Blockage: Occasionally, earwax removal may not fully clear all the wax from the ear canal, leading to residual blockage. This can leave you feeling that your ear still feels blocked/clogged after wax removal.
Specsavers is a well-known optician that also offers earwax removal services. They operate ear microsuction services and can conduct full ear health checks. The procedure is performed by a trained professional and is generally painless. Specsavers also offers same-day appointments, and you can book online or by phone.
Common Signs of Earwax Impaction
One of the most common indicators of earwax impaction is a feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear. This sensation can vary, depending on the extent of the buildup. People often describe it as feeling like their ear is plugged or as if there is something stuck inside.
Types of Professional Earwax Removal
Micro-suction is a pain-free, gentle process that uses a low pressure suction pump to safely remove earwax from the ear canal. Another way professionals remove excess earwax is through irrigation, which involves flushing the ear canal with water.