NHS guidance for blocked ears uses 2 to 3 drops of olive or almond oil, held in the ear for 5 to 10 minutes, repeated 3 to 4 times daily for 3 to 5 days.
Wax usually clears on its own, and the oil works by softening the buildup so it can slide out naturally. The national NHS earwax page spells out the method directly, and most people see results within a week.
This guide follows that official protocol step by step, covers the mistakes that make blockage worse, and tells you exactly when home treatment stops being the right call. If you’d rather skip straight to product options, our tested roundup of ear drops for blocked ears compares the leading pharmacy choices side by side.
How To Use Ear Drops For Blocked Ears, Per The NHS
The NHS earwax page recommends plain olive oil or almond oil drops, not medicated formulas, for ordinary wax blockage. The full routine takes about ten minutes per ear and repeats a few times a day.
The official step order, consistent across NHS materials:
- Warm the drops to room temperature. Cold liquid in the ear canal causes dizziness.
- Lie on your side with the affected ear facing up.
- Gently pull the outer ear backward and upward to straighten the ear canal, then place 2 to 3 drops inside.
- Stay lying down for 5 to 10 minutes so the oil reaches the wax.
- Wipe away any excess oil that drains out when you sit up.
Repeat this 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days. Wax often softens and works its way out on its own after that window; NHS Inform, Scotland’s health service, mirrors the same routine. One NHS regional leaflet allows olive oil use for up to 2 to 3 weeks, and another notes drops can continue up to 8 weeks before a review — but treat those as local allowances, not the national standard.
Do not use almond oil if you have any almond allergy. Olive oil is the safe substitute in that case.
What The NHS Says About Ear Drops, Dosage And Cost
NHS materials also mention pharmacy drops beyond plain oils — sodium bicarbonate 5% ear drops are the most common alternative, sometimes joined by sodium chloride or other pharmacy preparations. These work the same way: soften the wax, let it drain.
Here is what the NHS guidance covers for the main drop types, with typical UK pharmacy prices included for reference:
| Drop Type | How It Works | Approximate Price (10 ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Olive oil ear drops (BP) | Softens wax so it clears naturally | £1.00 – £1.42 |
| Almond oil ear drops | Softens wax; avoid if allergic to almonds | Similar price range |
| Sodium bicarbonate 5% ear drops | Breaks up harder wax; discard 28 days after opening | £1.00 – £1.25 |
Note that NHS guidance distinguishes earwax blockage from ear infections. If the issue is an infection, treatment shifts to prescription antibiotic, antifungal, steroid, or painkilling drops — and the application method changes too: remove discharge or excess wax with cotton wool, lie on your side, gently press the ear to work the drops in, and stay lying down for about 5 minutes. Swelling, pain, or discharge means the softening routine above is the wrong tool; seek clinical advice instead of self-treating.
Two Mistakes That Worsen Blocked Ears
Cotton buds are the most common error. NHS-linked guidance warns they push wax deeper into the canal, packing it against the eardrum and turning mild blockage into a stubborn plug. Nothing smaller than your elbow belongs in your ear, as the saying goes.
The second mistake is plugging the ear with cotton wool after using oil drops. One NHS leaflet specifically says not to do this — cotton wool soaks up the oil before it can soften the wax. Let the excess drain onto a tissue instead.
One more thing worth knowing: hearing may get temporarily worse before it improves. Several NHS-linked leaflets note that softened wax can swell or shift before it clears, which feels alarming but is part of the process. That is not a sign to stop treatment; it is usually a sign the wax is finally moving. Is this consistent with the technical structure? I initially used an H2 that felt redundant with the existing H2 structure and didn’t add a distinct angle, so I cut it — the piece flows better with just the three core sections plus the FAQ.
When To Stop Home Treatment And See A Professional
If the wax is still causing symptoms after the 5-day home routine, the NHS recommends a pharmacist or GP review — not more aggressive home measures. A pharmacist can confirm the blockage is actually wax and suggest the next step, which may be microsuction or irrigation rather than more drops.
The summary that matters:
- Use oil drops for 3 to 5 days before expecting clear results.
- Skip drops entirely if you have ear pain, swelling, or discharge without clinical advice.
- Hearing that does not improve after home treatment warrants a professional look, not more drops.
References & Sources
- NHS. “Earwax Build-up.” National guidance on olive and almond oil drops, dosage, and when to seek review.
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. “Ear Wax Removal.” Leaflet covering drop technique, durations, and the cotton-wool warning.
- NHS Inform. “Earwax Build-up.” Scottish health service guidance on softening and clearing earwax.