Advice · Ear wax
Ear wax build-up: what to try at home, and when to get it checked
Ear wax is normal and usually clears itself. Here's how to tell when it isn't, and what actually helps.
By Asa Richards, Clinical Director8 September 2026
Everybody produces ear wax, and most of the time it does its job quietly: trapping dust and dirt, and moving out of the ear on its own as you chew and talk. Problems only start when it builds up faster than it clears, or gets pushed further in.
Signs wax might be the problem
- Sound feels muffled, as if you have cotton wool in your ear
- A feeling of fullness or blockage in one or both ears
- Mild, dull earache without other cold or infection symptoms
- Your own voice sounds unusually loud to you
- Ringing or buzzing that appeared alongside the blocked feeling
If a change in hearing came on gradually and isn't linked to any of the above, it's worth a hearing test rather than assuming it's wax.
What's safe to try at home
Olive oil drops, or an over-the-counter spray such as Earol, used twice a day for three to five days, will soften most wax enough that it clears on its own or comes away easily when it's professionally removed. This is genuinely the most useful thing you can do before an appointment.
What to avoid
Cotton buds push wax further into the canal rather than removing it, and can pack it against the eardrum. Ear candles have no evidence behind them and carry a real risk of burns. Home syringe kits are best avoided too, since without a proper view into the ear canal it's easy to cause discomfort or, rarely, damage.
When to get it removed professionally
If softening drops haven't cleared things within a week, or the blockage is affecting your hearing day to day, it's time to have it looked at. We remove wax by microsuction or gentle water irrigation, both quick, and both done by a trained clinician who can see exactly what they're doing with a video otoscope.
Questions people ask
Ear wax FAQ
How do I know if my hearing problem is ear wax and not something else?
A muffled feeling, a sense of blockage, or a dull ache that came on gradually often point to wax. If it came on suddenly, or with pain, dizziness or discharge, that warrants a proper check rather than assuming it is wax.
Are cotton buds safe for removing ear wax?
No. They tend to push wax further into the ear canal rather than remove it, and can pack it against the eardrum.
How long should I use olive oil drops before booking an appointment?
Three to five days, used twice daily, is usually enough to soften wax so it clears on its own or comes away easily at your appointment.
Is ear wax removal painful?
No. Microsuction and irrigation are both quick and generally comfortable procedures carried out by a trained clinician.
Still feeling blocked?
Book ear wax removal at our Clevedon clinic, often available within a day or two.