Learning About Ear Irrigation (Lavage) Done in a Clinic

Ear irrigation (lavage) is a way to gently wash earwax from the ear canal. When done in a doctor’s office or clinic, it often includes an exam, softening the earwax, and streaming warm water into the ear canal to flush it out.

Earwax is also called cerumen. It's made up of sweat, oils, and dead skin cells. Earwax is formed naturally by your body to help protect the skin of your ear canal and kill germs. Normally, it slides out of your ear canal little by little when you move your jaw.

Ear irrigation can be done in the offices of many doctors or ear specialists (otolaryngologists). A nurse or other staff member may perform the task.

Your ear canals naturally clean themselves. But sometimes earwax can build up from the use of hearing aids, earbuds, earplugs, and other things that you put in your ears. Doctors advise against cleaning your ears with cotton swabs. It can make earwax buildup worse. It pushes wax deeper into the ear. This can lead to impacted earwax.

When earwax gets impacted, the wax buildup can clog the canal and block sounds to your eardrum. You might not have symptoms. But if you do, they may include hearing loss, itchiness, fullness, dizziness, discharge, odor, ringing (tinnitus), and ear pain.

Here's what typically happens when you have ear irrigation:

1. Your doctor checks your ears with an otoscope to see how much wax you have. The doctor also makes sure your eardrum and ear canal are healthy.
2. If needed, an earwax-softening substance such as mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide may be put in your ears. Then it's given time to work.
3. A towel or absorbent pad may be draped over your shoulder to protect your clothing.
4. Warm water is drawn into a large syringe or other device. You may be asked to hold a container firmly against your neck below your ear to catch the water and earwax.
5. Water is gently streamed against the ear canal wall to loosen earwax and allow it to flush out. The nurse may tug on your ear to help straighten the ear canal. The flowing water shouldn't hurt, but it may feel funny. If you feel dizzy or nauseous, tell the nurse. The water may be too cold.
6. After the flushing is done, any loose pieces of earwax left in your ear may be removed with a tiny scoop.

Ear irrigation is one of the most common forms of earwax removal. Experts consider it an effective and safe way to remove earwax.

Irrigation may not work well if the earwax is impacted hard in your ear. The doctor may have you use an earwax softening medicine for 3 to 7 days before trying again.

Some patients have hearing problems when the ear canal has been mostly or fully blocked. Many of them have slightly improved hearing after the blockage has been removed.

After ear irrigation, you may have mild symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, and ringing in the ear. They're likely due to the temperature of the water rather than damage to your ear. They'll go away soon.

Your doctor may put drops containing antibiotics and steroids in your ear before you leave.

If you have diabetes or are otherwise at a high risk of infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotic eardrops. You may need to take them for several days after irrigation to prevent swimmer's ear (otitis externa).