Earwax removal2/26/2024 We found no evidence to show that one was superior to any other. Several single studies evaluated 'head-to-head' comparisons between two active treatments. This comparison was only addressed in the single study cited above (active versus no treatment) and there was no evidence of a difference in the proportion of ears with complete wax clearance when comparing water or saline with no treatment after five days of treatment (RR 4.00, 95% CI 0.91 to 17.62 one study 76 ears) ( low-quality evidence).Īctive treatment A versus active treatment B ![]() When we excluded this study in a sensitivity analysis it did not change the result. Two studies applied drops for five days, but one study only applied the drops for 15 minutes. We found no evidence of a difference in the proportion of patients (or ears) with complete clearance of ear wax when the active treatment group was compared to the water or saline group (RR 1.47, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.75 three studies 213 participants 257 ears) ( low-quality evidence). ![]() ![]() The proportion of ears with complete clearance of ear wax was higher in the active treatment group (22%) compared with the no treatment group (5%) after five days of treatment (risk ratio (RR) 4.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00 to 16.80) one study 117 ears NNTB = 8) ( low-quality evidence). Only one study addressed this comparison. Six studies (360 participants 491 ears) contributed quantitative data and were included in our meta-analyses. Primary outcome: proportion of patients (or ears) with complete clearance of ear wax The overall risk of bias across the 10 included studies was low or unclear. Nine of the studies were more than 15 years old. Interventions included: oil-based treatments (triethanolamine polypeptide, almond oil, benzocaine, chlorobutanol), water-based treatments (docusate sodium, carbamide peroxide, phenazone, choline salicylate, urea peroxide, potassium carbonate), other active comparators (e.g. We included 10 studies, with 623 participants ( 900 ears). It is not clear whether one type of drop is any better than another, or whether drops containing active ingredients are any better than plain or salty water. We have found that using ear drops when you have a partially or completely blocked ear canal may help to remove the ear wax in your ear. For adverse effects we rated the quality of the evidence as low. For wax clearance, we rated the quality of the evidence as low. Very low-quality evidence means that we are very uncertain about the results. High-quality evidence means that we are very confident in the results. We rated the quality of the evidence from studies using four levels: very low, low, moderate or high quality. No serious side effects were reported by any participant. Fewer than 30 patients reported any adverse events when using the drops and these were mild (such as slight irritation or pain, or unpleasant smell). However, we also did not find any evidence that water or saline were better than doing nothing.Īdverse (side) effects were not common. We did not find any evidence that water-based or oil-based drops were any different to saline or water. The drops may help increase the proportion of ears cleared of wax from 1 in 20 (if you do nothing) to about 1 in 5 (if you use drops). ![]() Only one study compared using drops with an active ingredient to not using drops at all. The 10 included studies looked at either oil-based drops (triethanolamine polypeptide, almond oil, benzocaine, chlorobutanol), water-based drops (docusate sodium, carbamide peroxide, phenazone, choline salicylate, urea peroxide, potassium carbonate), saline (salty water) or water alone, or no treatment. These six studies included a total of 360 participants, both children and adults (of all ages), with partial or full blockage of the external ear canal with ear wax. However, only six of these studies provided data with which we could analyse our primary outcome, the proportion of patients with complete ear wax clearance. We found and included 10 studies with a total of 623 participants. In March 2018 we searched for clinical trials where ear drops were used to help soften and remove build up of ear wax in patients' ears. This review looks at which treatment (oil- and water-based drops or sprays) can help resolve wax build up. Ear drops have been studied as a potential tool to soften the wax, preventing the need for further treatment such as syringing. It can be uncomfortable for the patient and can cause hearing problems.
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