Can dry impacted ear wax resolve on its own with olive oil ear drops without ear syringing or microsuction?

Doctor's Answers 3

It really depends on how impacted the ear wax is! From experience, by the time patients come to see ENT for help regarding their impacted ear wax, they have already been trying multiple times with olive oil, Cerumol drops, syringing at the GP, all of which have failed.

I still think the best and safest way to remove earwax is to have it removed under direct vision with the microscope by your friendly ENT specialist who has the special fine ear instruments needed to gently and painlessly remove the trapped earwax.

I do not recommend syringing as this involves using water and if you have an ear infection behind the ear wax, or worse, a perforated eardrum, water will just make things worse. Removing ear wax is an extremely satisfying procedure for both patient and ENT doctor: one of my favourite activities to do to help patients at my busy clinic!

Photo of Dr Paul Ang
Dr Paul Ang

General Practitioner

From my experience. Highly unlikely, but not impossible.

You can always try. Anyway when you do that, it makes ear syringing or microsuction easier.

After applying, you should do the "tragal massage". You can google that.

Hi, it is possible for this to happen although it might take a long time. If the impaction is complete, removing it with suction or other instruments is the best option, but if there is a gap for water to make its way beyond the wax to flush it out, syringing will work as well.

Similar Questions

How soon do I need treatment for ear blockage due to an ear infection?

Thank you for your question. Ear blockage or hearing loss can be due to: 1. Conductive hearing loss – Hearing loss due to a physical blockage of the ear canal or middle ear (space deep to the ear drum thaf houses the hearing bones). Common causes include: Impacted ear wax Ear infections Fluid in the middle ear Foreign body in the ear Stiffening of the hearing bones. Conductive hearing loss are usually reversible (ie hearing can revert back to normal) once the underlying cause is treated. 2.

Photo of Dr Eng Cern Gan

Answered By

Dr Eng Cern Gan

ENT Doctor

How long does an eardrum rupture take to recover?

Thank you for your question. I assume you are asking about a hole in the eardrum? The time taken for a hole in the eardrum to heal largely depends on: The cause of the rupture The size of the hole in the eardrum Eardrum ruptures due to trauma (e. g from ear picking, slap on the face etc) takes about 6 – 8 weeks to heal. If the hole is >75% of the total surface of the eardrum, it might take longer or even fails to heal completely.

Photo of Dr Eng Cern Gan

Answered By

Dr Eng Cern Gan

ENT Doctor

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox