Earwax removal: safe methods, the kits and DIY products to avoid

Earwax build-up or blockages can be frustrating, and potentially cause further health issues. Many GP surgeries no longer offer removal, so what's the best way to deal with problem earwax? 

If you're unsure about what to do, you're not alone. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has voiced concerns that it's difficult for patients to know which treatments are best because ‘recommendations around [ear] self-care don’t seem to be consistent and are not widely shared’.

A 2022 RNID survey found that 71% of respondents had attempted to remove earwax themselves, although two thirds did not feel confident doing so.

It's best not to wing it or turn to rogue internet remedies, as this can cause further problems.

We've asked the experts, including Kevin Munro, Professor of Audiology at the University of Manchester, to find out which simple home remedies, NHS and private options are available, and the unsafe methods to steer clear of. 

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What is earwax?

Earwax is normal and serves as a protective layer for your outer ear, helping to prevent bacteria and fungi from growing, while also cleaning and lubricating your ear canal by trapping dirt, dust, and hair. Usually, your ears eliminate it naturally. 

The only cleaning necessary is to gently wipe inside the 'bowl' of your ear with a damp flannel over a finger, to clean away the wax from the entrance to the ear canal.

You should only need to take further steps if the wax becomes impacted.

What causes wax build-up in ears?

Some people experience more issues with earwax than others, and both age and genetics play a role. As we age, earwax tends to become drier and harder to remove, potentially blocking the ear canal.

Approximately 2.3 million people in the UK, including those who use hearing aids, experience troublesome earwax that requires removal each year, as well as around four in 10 care home residents.

Hearing aids can block wax from leaving your ears, as can earbud-style headphones, which can push wax further into your ear canal.

Does olive oil remove earwax?

There are several different types of drops you can choose to help with earwax, including sodium bicarbonate 5% ear drops, hydrogen peroxide, and medical-grade olive or almond oil drops. Research on which method is best – or whether water or salt water (saline) works as well – is inconclusive. 

The NHS gives instructions on how to use ear drops and says: 'over about two weeks, lumps of earwax should fall out of your ear'. However, Professor Kevin Munro, Professor of Audiology at the University of Manchester, noted that it's unrealistic to expect this to happen routinely.

There is only weak evidence that pre-treatment drops, on their own, are sufficient to cause earwax to soften and be expelled from the ear, and this is only in a small proportion of people.  Most people will need to have their earwax softened and cleared professionally by microsuction or irrigation, both of which are explained below.

When earwax removal is needed

If your earwax is stopping you from hearing well, it needs to be dealt with.

Impacted wax blocking the ears can also cause earache or pain, ringing or buzzing in the ears (tinnitus), dizziness (vertigo), itchiness, or a feeling that your ears are full.

Having untreated symptoms of wax build-up can also increase the risk of ear infections. In severe cases, the hearing loss it causes can lead to anxiety, stress, social isolation and depression.

For hearing-aid wearers, it can also cause hearing aids to whistle or impact the accuracy of ear mould production, making it harder to achieve good results.

Best and worst hearing aid providers - see how users rate major providers to help you find the best 

Is earwax removal available on the NHS?

NICE recommends that earwax removal services should be available at your local GP surgery or a similar community setting. However, ear irrigation is no longer a core service in the standard GP contract, meaning that surgeries can choose whether to offer it or not – and many don't.

It's a postcode lottery, and although the odds have slightly improved, in November 2024, RNID found that in England, just under half of health areas (integrated health boards) don't commission a full earwax removal service. In Wales, three of seven health boards provide a full wax management service, and in Scotland, of 14 boards responding to Freedom of Information requests, 11 said that earwax removal is fully available. 

In Northern Ireland, this service is no longer provided in primary care, eg GP surgeries.

Hospital Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) departments in different areas have their own criteria for who they treat. Still, earwax removal is not typically performed by NHS audiology departments, even for individuals wearing hearing aids. 

Some will treat patients with complex ear conditions, including those who have had ear surgery or those with dementia, but many have long waiting lists. If home treatment doesn't work, you may need to consider professional earwax removal. 

Private earwax removal – prices compared

Private companies, including larger national chains and independents, offer services to remove earwax. 

Price can vary considerably, and you need to check the small print re if you'll need to pay even if they don't find any wax.

To help you choose – and get the best price – we've rounded up the services offered by larger chains and how much they cost.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our pricing research and advice by brand below. 

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Prices and information last updated: September 2025

Professional earwax removal explained

There are two main methods of professional earwax removal:

• Ear irrigation with an electronic irrigator – this method flushes the wax out with water at low pressure. It's much safer and more effective than previous ear syringing methods because it maintains a set pressure as it pumps the water into your ear. 

Some people shouldn't have ear irrigation, including those with ear conditions such as a perforated eardrum.

• Microsuction – this sucks out the wax. A trained professional uses a microscope or camera to examine your ear while performing the procedure. 

Before having these treatments, you'll probably be advised to use ear drops for a few days to soften the wax.

The professional removing the wax may also use another form of manual removal, such as a probe, to dislodge any stubborn wax.

Who should do earwax removal?

Earwax removal is not subject to regulation – for example, by health regulators such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in England.

This means that the training length and quality will vary.

One question you may want to ask before booking is if the earwax removal, a clinical procedure, will be performed by a registered and monitored health professional with a relevant background in ear care, such as an audiologist, doctor or nurse.

Also, verify that the health professional is employed by a company that has adequate insurance.

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How to safely remove earwax at home

The old maxim 'never stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear' has plenty of truth in it. 

A 2022 RNID survey found that people are using various risky methods to remove earwax, including hair grips, paper clips, and toothpicks.

One in 10 individuals who used DIY methods reported that their symptoms worsened or that they sustained an injury that required medical attention.

So what can you use, and what should you avoid?

Safe home earwax treatments – ear drops 

Ear drops work by softening the wax. If your earwax isn't clearing, try using ear drops for 3 to 5 days initially, unless you have a suspected perforation in your eardrum. The drops themselves often aren't enough to clear the wax, and most people will need to have the softened earwax cleared by microsuction or irrigation.

Options include sodium bicarbonate 5% ear drops, hydrogen peroxide, and medical-grade olive or almond oil drops. Research on which method is best – or whether water or salt water (saline) works as well – is inconclusive.

The NHS recommends using a dropper while lying on one side for a few minutes to let the oil work its way through your ear canal.

You may find it easier to do this first thing in the morning, and again before you go to sleep.

However, you might find the drops cause their own discomfort, such as making your hearing worse or irritating your ear.

Speak to your pharmacist for more advice on ear drops, and refer to the NHS guide on earwax removal.

Earwax removal kits and DIY products to avoid

Cotton buds and small objects

In our April 2022 survey, 29% (of 9,019 Which? Connect panel members who remove earwax from their ears) reported using cotton buds to remove wax.

If you're tempted to dig around in your ear with these or other poking devices, such as drills, spades, twiddly gadgets you found online or even your fingers – think again.

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises against trying to remove earwax or clean your ears by inserting small objects in your ear, even cotton buds.

This is because they can damage the ear canal and eardrum, causing the wax to become impacted as they push it further into the ear canal and potentially perforate the eardrum.

Ear irrigation at home

Some people manually wash out their ears at home using body-temperature water and a saline solution with a bulb irrigator after using wax-softening drops.

Studies show that low-pressure rubber bulb irrigation could be worth trying before consulting a GP and requesting ear irrigation, with success rates of around half of cases. 

GP surgeries used to offer manual ear syringing using a hand-held metal syringe. However, this method is no longer considered safe for use, as it involves high-pressure water and could potentially damage your hearing. 

But some do offer irrigation or micro-suction.

NICE doesn't recommend syringing because there is a lack of evidence to show it's safe and effective, and – because the water pressure isn't controlled –  there's a risk of bursting the eardrum.

Ear candling

Ear candles – or Hopi ear candles – are hollow cones made of a fabric tube soaked in beeswax and/or paraffin.

The theory is that the suction created by ear candling pulls wax and debris from your ear when you light the candle and place it in the ear canal.

However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that ear candles will not help remove earwax and could cause serious injury to your ear. 

Ear candling could burn your face or ear, including the eardrum, ear canal, or middle ear. It could cause bleeding or even puncture the eardrum.

Weird 'earwax removal' gadgets you bought on the internet

There's no shortage of intriguing and professionally looking devices online that claim to identify and remove earwax with ease, but we advise against getting carried away with DIY options that aren't proven or recommended. 

We asked an expert to examine two popular types of earwax removal gadgets bought online, alongside some high street options, and assess the evidence for their effectiveness. He was concerned about the potential risks associated with a wireless ear camera, ear pick accessories, and a Spiral earwax removal tool. 

He concluded that both could cause damage to the ears, and he had serious safety concerns about their use by the public, especially given the inadequate guidance on safe use.

The clinical evidence suggests that you should never insert foreign bodies into the ear canal, as these objects are potentially dangerous and can cause injuries to the ear canal or eardrum.

The verdict: trying out weird and wonderful gadgets from online is likely to be a waste of money, and may do more harm than good. See our dodgy earwax removal products investigation for the full story.

Private health: is it worth it? We look at the pros and cons of self-paying for surgery or health care and typical costs

The impact of earwax on hearing aids

It's essential to keep on top of earwax if you wear hearing aids, as the devices can prevent wax from naturally dispersing. 

Earwax can cause your aids to whistle, affect hearing tests, and make it difficult to obtain an accurate impression of your ear for earmolds.

If you have private hearing aids, check if initial and/or ongoing wax removal is included in the cost. 

For example, if you pay £55 for wax removal at Specsavers before having hearing aids fitted, you'll receive a voucher for £55 towards the cost of the hearing aids. However, you'll have to pay privately for ongoing wax removal if it's not for the purpose of fitting new devices.

See our complete guide to the big retailers' hearing aid prices to help you compare all levels of hearing-aid care before you buy.