ℹ️ Patient advice after Ear Irrigation 

• • The ear canal may be vulnerable to an ear infection after irrigation. This is caused by the removal of all the wax, which is your ears’ own natural method of protection 

  • Until the ear produces more wax to protect the canal, keep the ear(s) that have been irrigated dry to stop water getting in for a minimum of 4 or 5 days after the procedure 

  • To keep the ears dry when you are washing your hair, showering, bathing or swimming, insert earplugs or a piece of cotton wool (not a cotton bud/stick), with a coating of petroleum jelly on the outside of the cotton wool, to act as a protective seal.  

  • In the unlikely event that you develop pain, dizziness, reduced hearing or discharge from the ear after the procedure, consult with your nurse/doctor 

  • It may be helpful to use the olive oil treatment 2 or 3 times a week and wear earplugs when in water if you usually have a build-up of wax (other pre-treatment ear wax softeners are available to buy from Pharmacies) 

  • Ear irrigation DOES NOT CAUSE A BUILD-UP OF WAX 

  • If the wax was removed due to problems with hearing loss and your hearing is not improved after ear irrigation, you may need to have a hearing test. 

  • REMEMBER ear wax protects the ear; poking it will only push wax deeper in the canal and cause problems; the ear is self-cleaning and does not need poking with flannels and direct streams from the shower head or cotton buds!