EXPLAINER: Old wives' tale 'cure' for blocked ear actually true as HSE issue advice

The HSE has issued official advice on a little-known home remedy for a blocked ear that many thought was an old wives' tale. 

Compacted earwax causing a blocked ear is a very common ailment in Ireland and can cause discomfort and even lead to ear infections if not treated.

While there are professionals who offer earwax removal treatment, the HSE has published official advice on how to remove the wax yourself at home.

The HSE says: "Earwax normally just falls out on its own. When it's blocking your ears a pharmacist or GP can help," adding that there is a home remedy.

Symptoms of earwax buildup is a sore ear (earache), difficulty hearing, itchiness, dizziness, an ear infection and sounds such as high-pitched tones coming from inside the ear (tinnitus).

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"Some people get earwax buildup because they naturally produce more earwax. You can also get earwax buildup if you have narrow ear canals, which link the eardrum and outer ear, have a lot of ear hair, are age 60 or older, as earwax gets harder with age, wear hearing aids or earplugs - these can push the wax further in," the HSE explains.

In its advice for treating earwax build-up at home, the HSE says "do not use your fingers or other objects like cotton buds to remove earwax - this will push the wax in and make it worse."

To clear it, they say you can put "2 to 3 drops of olive oil or almond oil in your ear 2 times a day for a few days. The earwax should fall out over the next 2 weeks. It usually comes out when you're lying down."

They warn: "Do not use vegetable oils in your ears as they can cause an allergic reaction for some people."

They also say "there's no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of earwax."

They advise a pharmacist or GP can help if you can't clear the problem at home.

"A pharmacist can give you advice and suggest treatments for earwax buildup. They might recommend drops to dissolve the earwax. The earwax should fall out on its own or dissolve after about a week.

"Do not use drops if you have a hole in your eardrum (a perforated eardrum)," the HSE says.

They advise speaking to you GP if "your ear has not cleared after 5 days, your ear is badly blocked and you cannot hear properly - you can get an infection if it is not cleared."

"A GP can flush the wax out with water (ear irrigation) or suck the wax out (microsuction)."

The HSE also says: "You cannot prevent earwax from building up. The wax is there to protect your ears from dirt and germs. But you can keep using ear drops to soften it. This will help it fall out on its own and should prevent blocked ears."