What should you know about otoscope wax?

Earwax may look yellow, brown, or dark and can be soft, flaky, or firm. The key questions are whether it is causing symptoms and whether it blocks the clinician's view of the eardrum. Wax can contribute to muffled hearing, fullness, itching, or ringing, although these symptoms can have other causes. A camera or home image may not show depth accurately, so a trained examination is more useful than judging the colour alone.

Leave wax alone if it is not causing trouble and the ear can be examined. Never push cotton buds or tools into the canal, as this can pack wax deeper or injure the skin. Ask a clinician or pharmacist whether a softening product is appropriate before using one. Do not self-treat if you have ear discharge, severe pain, a known eardrum perforation, or previous ear surgery. A GP Consultation can identify the safest next step, while children may benefit from a Child Health Consultation.

Book an assessment for persistent blockage, reduced hearing, pain, discharge, or symptoms that begin after putting something in the ear. Get urgent help for sudden hearing loss, severe dizziness, facial weakness, or rapidly increasing pain. Do not assume every dark area seen on an otoscope image is wax.

Ask whether the wax is blocking the eardrum, whether softening is suitable for you, and which removal method is recommended. Ask how to protect the ear afterwards and when hearing should be reassessed if it remains muffled.