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Dr Simon Aburn
Dr Shashi Auckloo
Dr Mike von Fraunhofer
DEVON ROAD SURGERY
32 Devon Road
South Darenth
Dartford
DA4 9AB
Tel: 01322 862121
EAR WAX – PATIENT INFORMATION
WHAT IS EAR WAX?
Ear wax forms a protective coating of the skin in the ear canal. Small
amounts are made all the time. Flakes or crusts of wax break off and fall
out of the ear from time to time.
The quantity of ear wax varies greatly from person to person. Plugs of wax
form in some people. This may cause a feeling of fullness and dulled
hearing. A plug of wax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only
need to remove wax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing, itch or
discomfort.
NOTE: Do not try and clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds etc. This
can make things worse as you will push some wax deeper inside. It may
also cause an ear infection. Let the ear “clean itself”.
As a Practice, we try and avoid syringing as much as possible due to the
potential complications such as an infection, or more seriously, damage to
the ear canal or ear drum. Therefore, we suggest the following treatment:


Ear drops of warmed olive oil or similar 3-4 times daily for 14 days
Do not use cotton wool as it stops the oil from working
Ear syringing may not be advised if you have certain ear problems. In
particular, if you:




Have had surgery for some types of ear problems
Have recurring infection of the ear canal (recurring otitis externa)
Have or have had a perforated ear drum
Are deaf in your other ear (as there is a small risk that syringing can
cause deafness in your good ear and so make you deaf in both ears)
NOTE: If you are still experiencing problems following the advice given,
please make an appointment with one of our practice nurses.
N.B. Patients will not be assessed for ear syringing unless they have
administered at least two weeks treatment of olive oil
CHECKLIST / CONSENT FORM
Appendix 2
Name........................................................................... D.O.B...........…………
Past history
Previous
irrigation
problem
following
Rt ear
Left Ear
Yes / No comments
Yes / No
comments
ear
Recent ear perforation
Previous
ear
mastoidectomy
surgery
e.g.
Discharge from the ear
Current or recent ear infection
Catarrh or cold
Ear pain
Grommets
Cleft palate
Foreign body in situ
Use of olive oil appropriately for a
minimum of 14 days
The nurse has asked questions related to the above conditions. She has explained
the proposed treatment, and given me information on ear care. I understand that ear
irrigation carries a rare risk of perforation to the eardrum.
I understand and consent to the proposed treatment.
Signature......................................... Date ……………………