Before your appointment
How to prepare for ear wax removal: my olive oil guide
By Deanna Spiby10 June 20264 min read
The single best thing you can do before any ear wax removal appointment is soften the wax. For three to five days beforehand, put a few drops of plain olive oil (or an olive-oil spray like Earol) into each ear, two or three times a day. Softer wax lifts away far more easily — which means a quicker, gentler appointment for you.
Why softening matters
Wax that’s had a few days of oil is loose and pliable, so I can remove it smoothly with microsuction or a gentle warm-water flush. Hard, dry, impacted wax takes longer and isn’t as comfortable. Ten minutes of preparation a day genuinely makes the visit better.
How to do it, step by step
- Warm the bottle slightly by holding it in your hand for a minute — room-temperature oil is kinder than cold.
- Lie on your side, or tilt your head, with the ear facing up.
- Put two or three drops of olive oil (or one or two sprays of Earol) into the ear.
- Gently wiggle the soft flap at the front of your ear to help it run in, and stay still for a minute or two.
- Repeat for the other ear. Do this two to three times a day for three to five days before your appointment.
Don’t worry if a little oil trickles out or your hearing feels slightly more muffled for a day or two — that’s the wax expanding as it softens, and it’s completely normal. It settles once the wax is removed.
What to use — and what to avoid
Plain olive oil from the kitchen cupboard is fine, or a pharmacy olive-oil spray such as Earol. I’d steer clear of ear ‘candles’ (they don’t work and can burn) and of cotton buds, which push wax further in. Sodium bicarbonate drops can be very effective but are a bit drying for some people, so olive oil is my gentle default.
Please don’t put drops in if you have a perforated eardrum, grommets, or any discharge or pain — message me first and we’ll talk it through. If you’re ever unsure, your pharmacist or GP can advise.
What if I forget?
It’s not the end of the world — please still come. I’ll always take a careful look, and if the wax is too firm to remove comfortably that day, I’ll explain what I can see and we’ll make a plan rather than rushing it.
Quick questions
How many days before should I use olive oil?
Three to five days is ideal — two or three drops, two or three times a day, in each ear. Even a couple of days helps if that’s all you manage.
Will olive oil make my hearing worse before the appointment?
It can feel a little more muffled for a day or two as the wax softens and swells — that’s normal and settles as soon as the wax is removed.
This guide is general ear-care information, not medical advice. If you have pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss or dizziness, please see your GP.