Treatment options
Treatment options
A range of products are available from the pharmacy to help treat common ear problems.
Earwax can be softened and removed using products containing ingredients such as arachis oil or olive oil (e.g., Earol), or docusate sodium. Urea hydrogen peroxide (e.g., Earex Advance, Otex) is used in some drops to break down earwax into smaller pieces. There may be a temporary bubbling sensation in the ear on use. Individuals may be advised by a healthcare professional to use these products for a few days before they have any procedures such as syringing or microsuction to remove earwax.
Bulb syringe devices can be used to wash out the ear, and there are also products based on seawater to help remove earwax (e.g., Audiclean).
When recommending ear drops, it may be helpful to advise the customer how to use them effectively:
- Warm the bottle in the hands for a few minutes before use
- Tilt the head to one side, with the ear pointing towards the ceiling
- Gently squeeze the required number of drops into the ear, without the dropper touching the ear canal
- Keep the head tilted for a few minutes so that the drops stay in the ear
- Remove any excess with a tissue.
Acetic acid (e.g., EarCalm spray) can be used in otitis externa. It is an antifungal and antibacterial agent and should only be used by adults and children aged 12 years and over.
Additional advice
- Advise customers who are worried about their hearing to go for a hearing test, offering signposting where necessary
- Suggest ear protectors are used in noisy environments
- When flying, to prevent the adverse effects of air pressure changes on their ears, customers can:
- Yawn
- Swallow frequently (chewing gum or sucking on sweets can help with this)
- Equalise the air pressure by pinching their nose, closing their mouth and gently breathing out through their nose until a ‘pop’ is felt in the ears (this is known as the valsalva manoeuvre)
- Bottle feed babies or give them a dummy during take-off and landing.
Parents/carers of young children with an ear infection can be advised to:
- Give a painkiller such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
- Hold a warm or cold flannel to the ear, depending on the child’s preference, to help soothe the pain
- Gently wipe the ear with cotton wool to remove any discharge
- Protect the ear from water and shampoo.
To help prevent inner ear infections, parents/carers can:
- Make sure the child is up to date with all of their vaccinations
- Avoid smoky environments
- Use ear plugs, swimming hats and/or protective drops to protect the ears when swimming
- Avoid using a dummy after the baby reaches six months.