Prepare For Ear Cleaning: Olive Oil Application
👂🏼How to Prepare for Your Ear Cleaning Appointment
Before the Appointment:
To ensure the best results, we recommend softening any earwax blockage before your visit. Applying olive oil drops for two nights can help lubricate the ear canal and make ear wax removal easier.
Our Ear Nurses prefer olive oil over other softening products, as it’s gentle and efficient.
⚠️ Important Reminder
Do not use olive oil if:
- Have a perforated eardrum (hole in your eardrum)
- Have grommets in place
- Don’t worry if you have been using another product or have forgotten to apply the oil — just come in for your appointment.
Prepare for Ear Cleaning: Steps in applying olive oil
💧 How to Apply Olive Oil Drops
- Lie on your side and gently fill your ear canal with olive oil drops.
- Drop the oil in slowly, one drop at a time, to avoid it spilling out.
- Let the oil soak in your ear for about 5 minutes while remaining on your side.
- This helps to soften the earwax for easier removal.
- Place a small piece of cotton wool into your ear to keep the oil in place for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Repeat for 2–3 days before your appointment if possible.
👉If you forget, apply some olive oil on the morning of your appointment!
📌 Please Note
- If you don’t have a dropper for the oil, you can use a teaspoon instead.
- The Ear Nurses prefer olive oil drops than any over-the-counter ear wax drops.
- If you are preparing your child for microsuction, click here for specific instructions.
Service Fees:
Consultation, Ear Examination and Treatment Fee: View here
Frequently Asked Questions:
Make a Booking:
Choose the best method for your ear wax removal needs. Trust the expertise of our trained Ear Nurses to prioritise your ear health.
Did you know that:
- Ears naturally produce ear wax
- Ears have a built in self-cleaning mechanism
- The skin cells inside the ear canal function like a conveyor belt pushing the ear wax out of the ear
Blockages can occur in your ears if your self-cleaning mechanism is affected if you:
- Use cotton earbuds
- Wear airpod/ headphones
- Wear hearing devices
- Swim regularly
Genetics can cause blockages due to the ear canal being:
- Narrow
- Curvy
- Hairy
- Excess skin
Environmental causes can block your ears if exposed to:
- Dust
- Cold wind and climate
- Loud noise
DO’S & DON’TS OF EAR CLEANING
- Gently wipe the visible part of your ear with a damp cloth.
- Use ear plugs in loud environments.
- See an ear nurse for gentle microsuction cleaning about once per year.
- Don’t use cotton buds (they can push ear wax further in or even damage your eardrum).
- Don’t use ear candles as these have been proven unsuccessful and misleading (Seely et al, 1996).
- Don’t attempt to clean anywhere in your ear that you cannot see.
- Don’t stick anything in your ear smaller than your elbow.