How to Use Olive Oil Correctly for Earwax Removal

Earwax is a natural and important part of a healthy ear. It helps protect the skin inside the ear canal and prevents dirt, dust and other debris from reaching the eardrum.

Your ears are also designed to clean themselves. The skin of the ear canal naturally moves outwards, carrying earwax and dead skin with it. Everyday movements such as chewing and yawning can also help move earwax towards the outer ear.

Most of the time, earwax does not need to be removed. However, if too much wax builds up and blocks the ear canal, it can cause uncomfortable symptoms and affect your hearing.

What Causes Excess Earwax?

Some people naturally produce more earwax than others. In many cases, there is no underlying medical problem, it is simply the way their ears function.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of excessive earwax build-up, including:

• Narrow, curved or damaged ear canals
• Excess hair within the ear canal
• Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis affecting the ears or scalp
• Inflammation or infection of the ear canal, including swimmer’s ear (otitis externa)
• Wearing hearing aids, earplugs or in-ear headphones regularly, which can prevent earwax from leaving the ear naturally

Symptoms of Earwax Build-Up

When earwax becomes impacted, it can block the ear canal and cause a range of symptoms, including:

• Blocked ears or a feeling of fullness
• Temporary hearing loss or muffled hearing
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• Earache or discomfort
• Itching within the ear
• Dizziness in some cases

If these symptoms persist, it is important to have your ears assessed by a qualified professional. You may need to have professional earwax removal to clear the blockage.

However, sometimes it may be possible to remove it yourself with the help of olive oil…

Olive Oil Spray

Olive oil softens earwax, helping it to move out of the ear naturally. It helps keep the ear canal moisturised, preventing dryness and irritation that can result from wax build-up. Olive oil offers a mild, non-invasive way to break down earwax meaning it is a great option for those who only have a small amount. It is rich in antioxidants and helps protect the sensitive skin inside the ear canal from potential damage or irritation. Olive oil spray can be purchased from most chemists and even large supermarkets. It is also available online.

How to Use Olive Oil

Firstly, warm the olive oil by placing the bottle in warm water for a few minutes. You must ensure that the oil does not get too hot. Lie on your side and using a clean dropper, carefully place 2-3 drops of the warm oil into the ear canal. You should remain in this position for around 5-10 minutes to let the oil soften the wax.

After this time has passed, you can sit up and tilt your head to the other side to allow the oil to drain out. You can use a tissue to gently wipe the outer ear.

If you are attempting to clear excess earwax, you should do this for 2-3 days.

What Happens at an Earwax Removal Appointment?

If you’ve got a more substantial wax build-up, you will need to see a hearing healthcare professional to get it removed. We offer endoscopic and microsuction earwax removal. Endoscopic wax removal is a particularly precise method of wax removal. We can also offer irrigation as a last resort if the wax is particularly tough to remove.

Excess earwax can be removed easily by a hearing care professional.

An appointment can be done as quickly as 30 minutes, but in some cases may take up to an hour.

If you think you need earwax removal, please drop us a message. Alternatively, you can book an appointment easily on our website.