Ear Wax

Question 1

What are 3 symptoms of ear wax?

Answer 1

1. Mild deafness
2. Earache
3. A sensation of fullness in the ear

Question 2

Does ear wax require a counselling room?

Answer 2

Yes

Question 3

What are 5 red flags for referral with ear wax?

Answer 3

1. Associated trauma- related conductive deafness
2. Dizziness or tinnitus
3. Foreign body in the ear canal
4. OTC medication failure
5. Pain originating from middle ear

Question 4

Does ear wax have a PSA self-care card?

Answer 4

Yes (Ear Problems)

Question 5

What is the preferred treatment option for ear wax?

Answer 5

Docusate 0.5% w/v (Waxsol)

Question 6

What are the directions for Docusate 0.5% w/v (Waxsol) in ear wax?

Answer 6

Adult and Children over 2 years: Tilt your head and fill the affected ear canal. Wait approx. 10 minutes ➔ Place a cotton bud in the ear ➔ Turn and repeat in the other ear. Leave overnight for TWO consecutive nights.

Question 7

What are 3 non-preferred options for ear wax and why?

Answer 7

1. Carbamide Peroxide (Ear Clear): Increased frequency and duration
2. Arachis oil 57%, chlorobutanol 5% (Cerumol): Increased frequency and duration, cannot be used in peanut allergy
3. Ear candles: unsafe

Question 8

Is Docusate 0.5% w/v (Waxsol) safe in pregnancy?

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

Is Docusate 0.5% w/v (Waxsol) safe in breastfeeding?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

What is the age range for Docusate 0.5% w/v (Waxsol)?

Answer 10

Safe in children over 2 years

Question 11

What are 4 pieces of non-pharmacological advice for ear wax?

Answer 11

1. Wax has benefits, in which it protects the tissues and prevents infections by trapping micro-organisms and dirt
2. Ear wax will naturally leave the ear, as wax comes out of the ear canal, wipe it away with a soft cloth.
3. Do not clean ear canal with hairpins, cotton buds, pencils or other objects as wax may be pushed further down the canal, damage the canal or ear drum.
4. Flushing ears with warm water is an option if patients do not want to try pharmacological treatments

Question 12

What is a precaution to consider when treating ear wax?

Answer 12

Do not use cerumenolytics or ear cleansing sprays if there is inflammation of the external auditory canal or perforation of the eardrum

Question 13

What are 2 common causes of ear wax buildup?

Answer 13

1. Hearing aids
2. Cotton buds