- The HSE lists hearing aids as one of the things that can push ear wax further into the ear.
- A build-up of wax can make an aid whistle or sound muffled, and wax in the tube or speaker can stop it working properly.
- Wipe your aids and earmoulds every night, and change wax filters and tubing when needed.
- Use softening drops at night with your aids out, so oil does not get inside the aid.
- If drops have not cleared your ear after five days, talk to your GP or book an ear wax removal appointment.
Ear wax build-up often affects people who use hearing aids, and hearing aid ear wax can change both how well you hear and how well your aids work. This guide explains why it happens, how to look after your aids and when to get your ears checked.
Why hearing aid users are more likely to get a build-up
Ear wax is not dirt. The HSE explains that it protects the ear from dirt and germs, which is why you cannot stop it building up altogether.
The HSE lists wearing hearing aids or earplugs as something that makes a build-up more likely, because they can push the wax further in. RNID, the UK hearing loss charity, says people who wear hearing aids or have narrow ear canals may be more likely to get a build-up.
A 2023 article in the British Journal of General Practice also notes that ear wax build-up often affects older people and people who use hearing aids or earbud earphones.
Signs ear wax is affecting you or your hearing aid
The HSE lists these as signs of ear wax build-up:
- difficulty hearing
- earache
- itchiness
- dizziness
- an ear infection
- high-pitched sounds coming from inside the ear
The HSE says symptoms usually improve once the wax is removed.
Your hearing aid may give its own clues. RNID says a large build-up of wax can make hearing aids whistle, and that this should stop once the wax is removed. Wax can also block parts of the aid and make it sound muffled.
If an aid gives no sound at all, Cambridge University Hospitals advises checking that the earmould is not blocked with wax or moisture and that the tubing is not kinked or blocked.
How to care for your hearing aids
RNID says hearing aids can easily become blocked with ear wax, moisture and other debris. A short routine helps keep wax out of the parts that matter.
| How often | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every night | Wipe the aid and earmould. Use a wax pick to clear the channel in the earmould. |
| About once a week | Wash the earmould, with its tubing attached, in warm soapy water and leave it to dry overnight. |
| When you see wax in the filter | Replace the filter with a new one. |
| Every four to six months | Replace the tubing. RNID says tubing usually needs replacing every 4 to 6 months. |
RNID also says that if wax gets into the tube or speaker, the aid may need servicing, and cleaning it more often may help.
Using olive oil drops when you wear hearing aids
The HSE’s self-care advice for ear wax is:
- put two to three drops of olive oil or almond oil in the ear
- lie on your side for five to 10 minutes afterwards
- repeat three to four times a day for three to five days
The HSE says lumps of wax may fall out over about two weeks. Royal Berkshire NHS audiology explains that olive oil softens wax rather than dissolving it, and that a few drops once or twice a day can be used longer term by people whose wax keeps coming back. The same leaflet says not to use olive oil if a perforated eardrum is suspected.
There is one extra step for hearing aid users. The British Society of Audiology says olive oil may affect how a hearing aid works if it gets inside, particularly receiver-in-canal and in-the-ear styles, and suggests using it overnight while the aid is out. We stock Ultrapure olive oil ear drops at €5.95 for 100ml.
Avoid fingers and cotton buds, which the HSE says push wax in and make it worse. The HSE also says there is no evidence that ear candles or ear vacuums get rid of ear wax.
How often should hearing aid users have their ears checked?
There is no set timetable. The British Society of Audiology says there is limited evidence on how often ear wax should be removed, and it encourages regular use of softeners and regular check-ups rather than a fixed interval.
A check is worth arranging when:
- your aid starts whistling or sounds muffled and cleaning does not help
- you have a hearing test coming up, as RNID says wax may need removing first
- you need new earmoulds, since RNID says wax can stop impressions of the ear canal being taken
- drops have not cleared your ear after five days
Ear wax removal by microsuction
The HSE says a GP may flush wax out with water (ear irrigation) or suck it out (microsuction).
Microsuction uses suction while the ear canal is viewed under magnification, and no water is used. Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS trust says this suits people who should not have water in their ears, for example those with a perforated eardrum or a middle ear infection in the last two months.
ENT UK’s guidance lists clearing the ear canal so a hearing aid can be used effectively as one reason for microsuction. It says the process can take from a few seconds to 20 minutes depending on the wax, the suction is loud, and some people feel dizzy or cough. It is not recommended to continue if it becomes painful.
The same guidance says softening drops for five days beforehand may make clearance easier, so use them at night with your aids out.
From Monday 9 November 2026, Laois Pharmacy offers hearing aid ear wax removal in Portlaoise by microsuction. A pharmacist carries it out in our private consultation room, Monday to Saturday, for anyone aged 16 and over. Bring your aids with you.
Ear wax removal in Portlaoise
Microsuction costs €50 for both ears or €40 for one ear. The €20 online booking fee comes off the price on the day.
When to see your GP
If you suddenly lose hearing in one or both ears, contact your GP urgently.
Get medical advice before treating ear wax yourself if:
- you have, or think you may have, a perforated eardrum
- you have an ear infection, or eczema or dermatitis in your ears
- you have had ear surgery
- you have been told by a healthcare professional to keep water out of your ear
See your GP if your aid whistles and there is wax or discharge in your ear, or if your ear has not cleared after five days of drops or feels badly blocked.
Children under 16 should be seen by their GP for ear wax.
Common questions
Can I wear my hearing aids while using olive oil drops?
It is best not to. The British Society of Audiology says olive oil may affect how a hearing aid works if it gets inside, so use drops at night while your aids are out.
Why does my hearing aid keep whistling?
RNID lists a wax blockage, gaps around a poorly fitted aid and something covering the microphones as causes. Whistling caused by a large build-up of wax should stop once the wax is removed.
How often should I have my ears cleaned if I wear hearing aids?
There is no fixed interval. The British Society of Audiology says evidence on timing is limited and encourages regular softener use and regular check-ups instead.
Who can book ear wax removal at Laois Pharmacy?
The service starts on Monday 9 November 2026 and is for anyone aged 16 and over. Under 16s are referred to their GP.
What happens to the €20 booking fee?
The €20 online booking fee comes off the price on the day. It is kept if you cancel within 24 hours of your appointment or do not attend.
Sources: HSE (2026), RNID (2026), British Society of Audiology (2021, revised 2025), ENT UK (2024), Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (2023), Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust (2026), Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2025), British Journal of General Practice (2023)
