Private ear wax removal options can be pricey, so it’s no surprise people are attempting DIY treatments, but our snapshot investigation found that there are products you'd be wise to avoid.

Ear canals are not straight tubes, and you could easily poke in the wrong place if you don't know what you're doing. There is anything else wrong with your ear (such as pain, swelling, discharge, infection or tinnitis)

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Options include sodium bicarbonate 5% ear drops, hydrogen peroxide, medical-grade olive or almond oil drops. Research on which method is best – or whether water or salt water (saline) works as well – is inconclusive.

I wrote a letter of complaint, strongly worded to the surgery, and now have an appointment, finally, to see the nurse next week. If irritation or pain occurs during use, or if symptoms persist, stop treatment and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.Ear cones such as these are intended to soften and draw wax out of your ear, using a flame, but though this product has Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) approval, it's not recommended as an ear wax treatment by the NHS or NICE. The instructions are brief and basic, with little guidance on how to use the device safely or possible hazards and risks - such as how much force is too much. You should only need to take further steps if the wax becomes impacted. What causes wax build-up in ears? Do not use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax. This will push it in and make it worse. This is because ear candles generally aren't considered effective, and could potentially cause harm due to lighting a flame near to the face, or by delaying more effective treatment options.

However, he cautioned that many people with impacted ear wax are still likely to need professional ear wax removal treatment even after using drops. Otex ear drops contain the active ingredient urea hydrogen peroxide, which helps to soften ear wax. Urea hydrogen peroxide works to soften ear wax by releasing oxygen which breaks up hardened wax, it also has some antiseptic properties. if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to urea hydrogen peroxide or any of the other ingredients of Otex listed in Section 6.It is recommended you use a dropper while lying your head on one side for a few minutes to let the oil work its way through your ear canal(s).

if any of the side effects get serious or you notice any other side effects not mentioned in this leaflet. if you have had your ear syringed in the last 2 to 3 days – this could also make it painful to use the eardrops. Historically, people were warned not to irrigate their own ear due to concerns that the high water pressure could damage the ear. However, studies show that rubber bulb irrigation, which uses lower pressure, could be worth trying - and could be successful in around half of cases.

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I am assuming that it is a build up of ear wax, but it has not been formally diagnosed by a GP as they wont see you! I have switched from Otex to olive oil.