Ear Wax is a mixture of dead skin and the output of glands in the ear canal. It is normal to have ear wax and this helps prevent otitis externa by protecting the skin lining of the ear canal.

Some patients however produce either large quantities of wax; and/or have narrow ear canal; and/or tend to produce dry wax. These things can mean that wax blocks the ear canals which in itself is a problem and also this can trigger secondary infections under the wax.

Such patients can help themselves by applying olive oil (normal cooking olive oil administered by a pipette-from the chemist) on a periodic basis. Some however also require to come to clinic periodically for removal of the ear wax. We do this by "microsuction"- removing it by suction looking down the ear canal with a microscope. This is generally preferred to syringing.