- From infections to blockages, doctors spend a lot of time tending to ear issues
- It’s estimated nearly half of children’s visits to GP are for ear-related problems
- In recent years there’s been a boom in over-the-counter treatments from plugs that suck out water to gadgets that ‘pop’ blocked ears. But are they any good?
Adam Frosh, a consultant ear, nose and throat specialist at the Lister Hospital in Hertfordshire, assesses a selection of products (such as Swim Seal, pictured)
From infections to blockages caused by wax, family doctors spend a lot of time tending to ear complaints.
In fact, it’s estimated that nearly half of children’s visits to the GP are due to ear-related problems.
In recent years, there has been a boom in over-the-counter treatments, from plugs that suck out water to gadgets that ‘pop’ blocked ears. But are they any good?
Here, Adam Frosh, a consultant ear, nose and throat specialist at the Lister Hospital in Hertfordshire, assesses a selection of products which we then rated.
All are available from High Street chemists unless stated otherwise.
SWIMSEAL PROTECTIVE EAR DROPS
£8.49 for 7.5ml
These are designed to stop water getting inside the ear and are recommended for use when swimming, showering, bathing, or washing hair for people prone to ear infections, as water can trap bacteria on the surface of the inner ear, where they can multiply and cause inflammation.
These drops coat the ear canal, creating a protective barrier against moisture. They also contain tea tree oil — which is thought to help kill bacteria.
EXPERT VERDICT: These are a good idea because water is the enemy when it comes to ear infections. This is why it’s often the people who shower and wash their hair most frequently who are most prone to infections. These wouldn’t be suitable for people with grommets. 4/5
AURITECH SLEEP HEARING PROTECTORS
£19.95 a pair
These cone-shaped ceramic filters are said to block out annoying background noises — such as heavy snoring — but still allow you to hear a baby crying, a door bell ringing or an alarm clock going off.
They sit deeper in the ear than conventional plugs, while the ceramic allows some sound, such as high pitches (e.g. alarms), through — unlike foam, wax or silicone, which tend to block out everything.
EXPERT VERDICT: These are likely to do as claimed. The problem with wearing them every night is that they may stimulate wax production and will trap moisture in the ear so may also increase the risk of infections. I’d recommend using them only on particularly noisy nights. 2/5
EAR POPPER RELIEF DEVICE
£99 (batteries included)
Air travel, colds, allergies or blocked sinuses can cause pressure to build higher on one side of the eardrum than the other, which can hurt and block hearing.
This battery-powered device is designed to equalise the pressure by delivering a stream of air into the nasal cavity. This raises the pressure inside the eardrum, matching the outside pressure.
To use, block one nostril and press a button to deliver the jet of air while swallowing. Repeat on the other nostril.
EXPERT VERDICT: A lot of people suffer from blocked ears, especially after a descent in a plane. Some say these devices really work, but a much cheaper option is to use a decongestant such as Otrivine (£3.79 for 10ml) about 15 minutes before the plane starts to descend.
This opens up the Eustachian tube — a canal that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and throat — which balances the pressure. 3/5
Air travel, colds, allergies or blocked sinuses can cause pressure to build on one side of the eardrum which can hurt and block hearing – something Ear Popper’s device (above) can solve
EARBAND-IT SWIMMING PLUGS
£10, earbandit.co.uk
Originally designed for children with grommets, these are now popular with swimmers of all ages who have recurrent infections. A silicone plug is placed in each ear and the headband sits over the ears to stop the plugs falling out.
EXPERT VERDICT: Ear plugs are useful, but often they simply pop out. The ear band makes these a good option.
To get a good seal, the plugs should be flattened with the fingers to cover the whole outer ear until they fit snugly. 5/5
BANISH THE BUDS
When ears get itchy or blocked, many people poke at them with cotton buds, a habit universally condemned by experts.
‘Never use them,’ says Adam Frosh, an ear, nose and throat specialist.
‘All they are doing is pushing wax further into the ear, where it’s more likely to trap bacteria that can cause an infection.
‘As a general rule, do not put anything in your ear to clean it — including paper clips or hair clips as some do.’
When ears get itchy or blocked, many people poke at them with cotton buds (file pic), a habit condemned by many experts
EAREX PAIN RELIEF SPRAY
£10 for 15ml
this is a mixture of herbal oils, including sesame, cinnamon leaf and spearmint, that the maker says will soothe earache, dissolve excess wax and dampen down inflammation.
EXPERT VERDICT: Useful if the pain is due to wax that needs to be softened before syringing by a nurse or doctor. It will not help if the pain is caused by an infection, as this usually requires antibiotics. 3/5
AUDICLEAN EAR CLEANSING WASH
£9.59 for 115ml
This salt water-based wash is said to cleanse the ears and disperse wax. It’s meant to be used two to three times a week to prevent wax build-up.
It’s targeted at those who tend to get excess wax because they swim regularly, work in dusty environments or use earphones, which can push wax deeper into the ear. The maker claims the water used is rich in mineral salts that can soften hardened wax.
EXPERT VERDICT: I don’t think using any sort of water to try to clear the ears is a good idea.
My worry is that using it regularly could increase the risk of infection by keeping the ears wet. 1/5
OTEX EAR WAX REMOVING DROPS
£4.99 for 8ml
These contain a small amount (5 per cent) of hydrogen peroxide, which reacts with an enzyme called catalase in skin cells. The reaction causes the release of millions of tiny bubbles of oxygen that help soften and disperse ear wax.
EXPERT VERDICT: Hairdressers use hydrogen peroxide to bleach hair and it is a fairly powerful chemical. These drops can be effective and often avoid the need for syringing.
The wax will break up and move up and out of the ear canal, the downside is that peroxide can burn the skin.
Many people use olive oil to soften ear wax, which I would never recommend — it does turn hard wax gloopy but does not remove it, so it’ll harden again and often still needs to be removed by a doctor. 3/5
EARPLANES IN-FLIGHT PROTECTORS
£9.99 a pair
These ribbed silicone ear plugs are designed to protect the ears from noise and pain on flights. They are ‘screwed’ into the ear and prevent the changes in pressure on the eardrum.
EXPERT VERDICT: Some of my patients have used these and liked them. They seem to stay in place much better than softer earplugs. 3/5
Clearears plugs – £5.19 for five pairs – soak up water from the ear after swimming or bathing
CLEAREARS WATER ABSORBING PLUGS
£5.19 for five pairs
These foam plugs soak up water from the ear after swimming, bathing or showering.
After your swim or shower, roll one into a cylinder and insert into the ear. It expands to absorb moisture and is removed after five to ten minutes.
EXPERT VERDICT: These are useful because the drier the ear, the less likely you are to get an infection. The question is how easy are they to remove once they have expanded?
Either way, these are a better option than cotton wool, which can break up and get stuck in the ear. 4/5