Ear wax: everything you wanted to know but were too embarrassed to ask

Post on 25th June 2026

Let’s talk about ear wax. It might not be the most glamorous of topics, but it’s something that affects a surprising number of people, and a lot of the advice floating around out there is, frankly, not great.

At Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care, we’ve been supporting people’s hearing and eye care needs for over 85 years, so here’s everything you need to know, from what ear wax actually does to what to do if you think you have a build-up, and when professional ear wax removal might be the best next step.

First things first: Ear Wax is your friend

It might not feel like it when your ear feels blocked and muffled, but ear wax is actually doing an important job. Your body produces it naturally to clean and protect your ear canal, keeping it lubricated and helping to filter out dust, debris and bacteria. Think of it a bit like the tears in your eyes. You need just the right amount. Too little can leave your ears dry and irritated; too much can cause problems of its own.

Under normal circumstances, ear wax moves gradually from the inside of your ear canal towards the outer ear, where it eventually washes away on its own. The trouble starts when that natural process is disrupted and wax builds up faster than it can clear.

How do I know if I have a build-up?

Excess ear wax is more common than you might think, and the symptoms can range from mildly annoying to genuinely uncomfortable. Signs to look out for include earache, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear, reduced hearing, itchiness, dizziness, or a ringing or buzzing sound known as tinnitus.

Blocked ear wax can also make everyday sounds seem dull or muffled, so if your ear feels blocked or any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s worth getting your ears checked.

What is the best way to remove ear wax?

Here’s where it gets important. The temptation for many people is to reach for a cotton bud, but please don’t. Poking anything into your ear canal, however gently, can push the wax further in and make the problem significantly worse. The same goes for ear candles, which have no proven benefit and carry a real risk of injury.

If you’re wondering how to clear ear wax safely, the simplest first step is to use two to three drops of medical grade olive oil in each ear. This helps to soften the wax and encourage it to move out naturally. It’s best done last thing at night, and if you wear hearing aids, make sure you don’t put them back in after using the oil as it can cause damage.

For many people, olive oil is a sensible place to start. But if olive oil alone doesn’t do the trick after a week or two, it’s time to seek a little professional help.

What does professional ear wax removal involve?

At Scrivens, we offer an ear wax removal service for those with excessive build-up. Before your appointment, we recommend using medical grade olive oil for two weeks to help soften the wax, as this makes the whole process much more comfortable and effective.

During the appointment itself, one of our trained professionals will use a fine suction device, gently inserted into the ear canal while being viewed through a magnifying headset, to remove the wax safely and precisely. This is known as microsuction ear wax removal. In some cases, a small instrument called a curette, a tiny circular loop, may be used to remove wax closer to the outer part of the ear. We also take photographs before and after, so you can actually see the difference.

The whole ear wax removal process is straightforward, and most people find that their symptoms clear up quickly afterwards.

We’re here to help

If you’re concerned about your hearing or think you might have a wax build-up, don’t suffer in silence. You’ll find plenty of helpful information on our website, or pop into your local Scrivens branch and have a chat with one of our friendly team.

If you found this useful, you might also like to read about tinnitus and what causes it.