Ear wax is normal and is produced to form a protective coating over the skin in the ear canal. Ears are normally self-cleaning – the movement of your jaw whilst eating and talking helps to move the wax along the canal where it will usually fall out naturally without you noticing. Sometimes wax can build up in the ear canal. 

Ear wax only becomes a problem if it causes deafness or discomfort. If you experience any of the following, you should seek advice from one of nurses at Fownhope Medical Centre:

• pain
• discharge or bleeding from the ear
• sudden deafness or buzzing
• foreign bodies in the ear
• dizziness

If you are not experiencing any of the above, we recommend that you read the options for self care on the tab above.