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  • Limited good-quality evidence available on earwax removal methods; softeners more effective than no treatment, but evidence for irrigation or mechanical removal is equivocal

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Primary health care
Systematic review
Limited good-quality evidence available on earwax removal methods; softeners more effective than no treatment, but evidence for irrigation or mechanical removal is equivocal
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  1. Yehudah Roth1,
  2. Yahav Oron1,
  3. Abraham Goldfarb1
  1. 1Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
  1. Correspondence to Yehudah Roth
    Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The Edith Wolfson Medical Center, PO Box 5, 58100 Holon, Israel; orl{at}wolfson.health.gov.il

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn1132

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    Commentary on: Clegg AJ, Loveman E, Gospodarevskaya E, et al. The safety and effectiveness of different methods of earwax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technol Assess 2010;14:1–192.OpenUrlPubMedWeb of Science

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    Cerumen excreted from the skin of the external ear canal provides a protective oily layer, entraps foreign materials and has antibacterial properties. It is produced by special glands and usually is degraded in parallel, so in most people there is no wax accumulation. If a large quantity of wax is retained, it blocks the ear canal and severely interferes with hearing. Such blockage can easily be removed to resume previous hearing.

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