Care Sodium Bicarbonate Ear Drops 10ml, Softens Ear Wax

Product Information

There was no high quality evidence in favour of a specified time interval for administering a softener before ear irrigation, however the committee considered that this was a clinically significant issue. In the absence of evidence favouring longer periods of administration, and the impact on patients’ quality of life caused by waiting, the committee agreed by consensus to recommend a timescale of either immediately before irrigation or up to 5 days prior to irrigation. The committee noted that health professionals may not be aware that administering ear drops on the same day as irrigation is an option, and wanted to highlight this for consideration. The impact on resources was noted as additional primary and community care appointments would not be required, but in some cases this would have to be balanced against appointments taking longer if the wax is difficult to remove. There may also be implications for clinic planning, particularly in remote rural areas where patients have limited travel options and may appreciate same day treatment. Antifungal or antibiotic ear drops can treat the infection. Topical steroid ear drops can help relieve inflammation and itching.

Don’t try to scrape out the earwax with your finger or an object inserted into your ear, as this this can make the problem worse.Richard AM. Otitis media with effusion. In Kerr AG, Adams DA & Cinnamond MJ. Scott Brown’s Otolaryngology: Paediatric Otolaryngology. 6th edn. London:Hodder Education Publishers; 1996 Ahmed OH, Gallant SC, Ruiz R et al. Validity of the hum test, a simple and reliable alternative to the Weber test. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 2018;127(6):402–405. doi: 10.1177/0003489418772860 The committee discussed the use of microsuction for earwax removal in a number of different environments including GP practices, audiology and community health services. It was noted that the availability of this service is variable, and in some areas people would be referred to ENT for this procedure. The committee agreed that as long as the correct equipment was available and there were health professionals trained to carry out this procedure, it would be appropriate to offer this service within primary or community care settings, and this should be encouraged. The committee noted that dedicated ear care clinic facilities are being set up in some areas.

Awad Z, Huins C & Pothier D. Antivirals for idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. 2012. Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006987.pub2/full (accessed November 2019)Consequently the committee recommended that earwax removal should be offered as it is likely to be cost effective, and that irrigation should be considered as the method of removal. It may be described as ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing, throbbing, music or singing, and patients may hear these sounds in one or both ears, or in their head [14]