Some people shouldn’t have ear irrigation, including those with ear conditions such as a perforated eardrum. Before having these treatments, you'll probably be advised to use ear drops for a few days to soften the wax.

The NHS recommends using a dropper while lying your head on one side for a few minutes to let the oil work its way through your ear canal. He concluded that both could cause damage to the ears and he had serious safety concerns about their use by the public, especially given the the inadequate guidance on safe use.

The clinical evidence says that you should never insert foreign bodies the ear canal as these objects are potentially dangerous and can cause injuries to the ear canal or ear drum. If you're unsure what to do, you aren't alone. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) has voiced concerns that it's difficult for patients to know which treatments are best because ‘recommendations around [ear] self-care don’t seem to be consistent and are not widely shared’. For hearing-aid wearers, it can also make hearing aids whistle or impact accurate ear mould production, making it harder to get good results. Doering, Christopher (2021-08-26). "From its birth in a bar to an IPO, Vita Coco sets its sights next on dominating healthy beverages". Food Dive . Retrieved 2023-08-02. Best and worst hearing aid providers - see how users rate major providers to help you find the best

There's no shortage of intriguing and professional-looking devices online which profess to identify and remove ear wax with ease, but we'd advise against getting carried away with DIY options that aren't proven or advised. O'Reilly, Lara (2011-05-11). "Vita Coco adds Rihanna to celebrity endorsement umbrella". Marketing Week . Retrieved 2023-08-02.Some people manually wash out their ears at home using body-temperature water and a saline solution with a bulb irrigator after using wax-softening drops. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says that ear candles will not help to remove ear wax, and could seriously injure your ear.

a b Jarvis, Rebecca; Dunn, Taylor (2016-02-17). "Meet the Company Behind the Coconut Water Craze". ABC News . Retrieved 2023-08-02. Meyer, Zlati (2017-05-28). "Pepsico eyeing coconut water company: Report". USA Today . Retrieved 2023-08-02.Private companies, including larger national chains and independents, offer services to remove ear wax.

Ear irrigation with an electronic irrigator – this flushes the wax out with water at low pressure: it's much safer and more effective than previous syringing methods because it maintains a set pressure as it pumps the water into your ear. You may find it easier to do this first thing in the morning, and again just before you go to sleep.If you’re tempted to dig around in your ear with these or other poking devices, such as drills, spades, twiddly gadgets you found online or even your fingers – think again. We've asked the experts including Kevin Munro, Professor of Audiology at the University of Manchester, to find out which simple home remedies, NHS and private options are available, and the unsafe methods to steer clear of. The professional removing the wax may also use another form of manual removal, such as a probe, to dislodge any stubborn wax . Ear-wax removal – prices compared