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Wax is a normal occurence in the ear canals. It is formed by the mixture of skin cells and the secretions from the glands of the ear canal. It acts as a bacteriostatic compound as well as a waterproof for the ear canal.

Wax does become troublesome in some circumstances. If excessivie in its production or if the ear canal is narrow or if there is some obstruction or worse still pushing of the wax into the earcanal then the wax can occlude the ear canal and cause pain discomfort, hearing loss and even a swimmers ear (otitis externa).

Wax can be encouraged to extrude itself by softening with oil. It can be removed with irrigation devices in the General Practice setting and almost all practitioners have moved away from the older and more dangerous techniques of ear syringing which were high pressure systems prone to complications. With a microscope the ENT surgeon can use instruments like a Jobson Horne probe, crocodile forceps or what is often employed is a microsuction device to safely remove the wax to reveal the eardrum.

Swimmers ear is a common condition. It is also referred to as otitis externa. Typically it occurs because of water getting into the ear canal and starting a mild inflammatory reaction that can also become infected.

It often is chronic and recurrent in its nature and requires good ear hygeine and often ENT intervention in the form of microsuction and eardrops. Patients can make things worse by trying to clean their ears with cotton buds or their fingers which can scratch the ear canal and lead to further infection.

It is imperative to follow the instructions given by your ENT surgeon when suffering with swimmers ear:

Keep the ears dry, no swimming

Do not put anything in your ears other than drops prescribed (NO cotton buds or fingers)

Cotton wool with vaseline when having a shower

This condition is well treated but typically comes back when advice is not followed.