Ear wax is a natural phenomonen and rarely needs treatment, particularly in children. If ear wax is causing symptoms such as hearing loss or needs to be treated prior to audiology referral then ear drops can be used (unless clinically contraindicated) per instructions for a minimum of 14 days. It is important to advise against the use of cotton buds.
Clinical Knowledge Summaries has advice on Management of Ear Wax from age 6 months onwards.
If no improvement and/or irrigation is clinically contraindicated then see the Microsuction for Ear Wax, Discharge or Debris Removal in Secondary Care - CBA/PA Policy.
Efforts are made to ensure the accuracy and agreement of these guidelines, including any content uploaded, referred to or linked to from the system. However, BNSSG ICB cannot guarantee this. This guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer, in accordance with the mental capacity act, and informed by the summary of product characteristics of any drugs they are considering. Practitioners are required to perform their duties in accordance with the law and their regulators and nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties.
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