Muffled hearing, an itchy or blocked-feeling ear, or a ringing that won’t quite go away.
The symptoms of earwax buildup are the type of problems people often dismiss until they start to affect daily life.
And when it strikes, the instinct for most of us is to reach for a cotton bud.
But this is actually one of the worst things you can do.
Here’s what causes earwax buildup, how to spot it, why cotton buds make things worse rather than better, and what to do instead – including the safe, professional removal service available right here at McMinns Pharmacy.
What is earwax, and why do we have it?
Earwax (medically known as cerumen) is produced naturally by glands in your ear canal. Far from being a sign of poor hygiene, it actually plays a protective role, trapping dust, dirt and bacteria before they reach the eardrum, and keeping the delicate skin of the ear canal moisturised.
In most people, earwax makes its own way out of the ear through normal jaw movement, without any help needed at all.
Problems only start when wax builds up faster than it can clear, or gets pushed further into the ear canal instead of out of it.
Symptoms of earwax buildup
Earwax buildup can show up in a few different ways, and the symptoms are easy to mistake for other ear problems. Common signs include:
- Hearing loss, or a feeling that sound is muffled or “underwater”
- Earache, or a sensation that the ear is blocked or full
- Tinnitus – ringing or buzzing in the ear
- Dizziness or a mild sense of imbalance (vertigo)
If you’re experiencing several of these at once, particularly a blocked feeling alongside reduced hearing, earwax buildup is a likely culprit. It’s always worth having it checked rather than assuming.
What causes earwax to build up?
Some people are simply more prone to wax buildup than others. Common contributing factors include:
- A naturally narrow or oddly shaped ear canal, which makes it harder for wax to migrate out on its own
- Excess hair growth in the ear canal, which can trap wax rather than letting it pass
- Skin conditions affecting the scalp or ear canal
- Inflammation of the ear canal (otitis externa)
- Regular use of earphones, earplugs or hearing aids, which can push wax further in and block its natural route out
Age also plays a role. Earwax tends to become drier and harder to shift as we get older, making buildup more common later in life.
Why you shouldn’t use cotton buds
It feels intuitive: your ear feels waxy, so you clean it out.
But cotton buds, along with fingers, hairpins, or anything else pushed into the ear canal, are one of the most common causes of the very problem people are trying to solve.
Rather than removing wax, a cotton bud typically pushes it further down the ear canal, compacting it against the eardrum where it’s much harder to shift and more likely to cause symptoms.
Repeated use can also irritate or damage the delicate skin lining the ear canal, and in more serious cases, cotton buds can scratch or even perforate the eardrum.
The same goes for ear candles and at-home vacuum devices. There’s no good evidence either is effective, and both carry their own risks.
The simple rule from the NHS is: never put anything into your ear canal to try to remove wax yourself.
Safe ways to manage earwax at home
If your symptoms are mild, there are gentle, NHS-recommended steps you can try before seeking professional treatment:
Use olive or almond oil drops. Lying on your side with the affected ear facing up, apply 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil into the ear canal and stay in that position for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeated 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days, this softens the wax and often allows it to clear naturally.
Don’t use drops if you have, or suspect you might have, a perforated eardrum. Check with a pharmacist first if you’re unsure.
If symptoms persist beyond five days of self-care, or your hearing is significantly affected, it’s time to get it looked at professionally rather than continuing to self-treat.
When to see a pharmacist
This is exactly the kind of everyday health concern a pharmacy is well placed to help with.
At McMinns Pharmacy, we offer a free ear health check to assess whether wax is actually the cause of your symptoms, followed by professional microsuction removal if needed.
Microsuction is widely regarded as the safest and most effective method of earwax removal.
Using a low-pressure suction probe and microscope-level visualisation, our clinician can see exactly what they’re doing throughout. There’s no water involved, and the process is painless.
What to expect: appointments take around 30 minutes. We’ll first check whether wax removal is actually needed, then carry out microsuction where appropriate. We also offer a complimentary follow-up to help determine whether you’re someone who benefits from a routine check every three or six months. Microsuction is available for anyone aged 16 and over; under-16s can still have an ear health check with us.
Pricing: the initial ear health check is free, with microsuction priced at £29 for one ear or £54 for both.
Given that NHS waiting times for earwax removal can often run to several months, many people find it far quicker and just as safe to have it done privately at a local pharmacy.
Book your ear health check at McMinns Pharmacy
If blocked, muffled or ringing ears are affecting your day-to-day life, don’t reach for a cotton bud; come and see us instead.
Our free ear health check will confirm whether wax removal is needed, with same-clinic microsuction available if it is.
Book ear wax removal online, call us on 01698 372 917, or visit us at 19 Main Street, Wishaw.
Frequently asked questions
Is microsuction painful?
No – most people find microsuction comfortable and describe it as painless. You may hear a suction noise, but there’s no water involved and the process is closely controlled throughout.
How do I know if I need earwax removal or if something else is causing my symptoms?
That’s exactly what our free ear health check is for. Not every blocked or ringing ear is down to wax, so it’s worth having it properly assessed rather than guessing.
Can I prevent earwax buildup in future?
Regular use of olive oil drops (roughly once a week) can help some people prevent excessive buildup, particularly if you’re prone to it. If you use earphones, hearing aids or earplugs regularly, routine check-ups every few months can help catch buildup early.
This article is for general information and does not replace personalised medical advice. Speak to a pharmacist or your GP if you have ongoing ear symptoms or are unsure about self-treatment.
Sources: NHS: Earwax build-up, McMinns Pharmacy: Ear Wax Removal Wishaw