Earwax (also known as cerumen) is a yellowish substance produced in the glands of the ears to protect them from damage and infection. It moves slowly out of the ear, taking any dust and dirt with it. People don’t necessarily notice it and it may fall out when they are sleeping or washing their hair. 

Some people, however, may produce a lot of earwax or have narrow ear canals, which may result in a build-up of earwax. Using hearing aids or ear plugs, or trying to clean the ears with cotton buds can push the wax back into the ear. With age, the wax can be drier and may become impacted. 

Signs of a build-up of earwax include a blocked sensation in the ear. It may affect hearing, including temporary deafness after swimming, bathing or showering, or make the person feel dizzy. 

Infections of the ear are common. Otitis is a term for inflammation or infection of the ear: otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear whilst otitis media is an infection of the middle ear.

In otitis externa, there is inflammation of the outer ear canal, which may be caused by an allergy or infection. It is often a result of getting water and/or soap in the ear and is common in swimmers – hence the nickname ‘swimmers’ ear’. Symptoms include redness, itching, pain and swelling. It usually affects one ear. 

Otitis media is when there is swelling and a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum. It often occurs after a cold, as mucus build-up can block the Eustachian tube. It is very common in children, who have smaller Eustachian tubes than adults. Symptoms include throbbing or sharp pain, a fever, dizziness and sometimes nausea or vomiting. Babies or young children may pull at their ear and show signs of irritability and restlessness at night. 

Most ear infections clear up within three days, although sometimes symptoms can last up to a week. Customers with ear infections may need to be referred to a GP if they have a high temperature or the infection has lasted longer than three days. Other symptoms that require referral are swelling around the ear, fluid coming from the ear, and hearing loss or a change in hearing.

Other conditions that customers may be affected by include tinnitus, perforated eardrum and glue ear. Tinnitus is where a noise is heard in the ear – such as ringing, buzzing or hissing – when there is no external sound. A perforated eardrum is when there is a hole in the eardrum, resulting in symptoms such as sudden hearing loss and pain. Glue ear occurs in childhood, when fluid builds up in the middle ear, resulting in hearing loss. It can be treated using grommets, which are tubes that help to drain the fluid away. Refer customers with any symptoms of these conditions to the pharmacist.