What products can you use to care for your ears?

Our ears need as much tender loving care as the rest of our bodies, and there are many products available for everything from cleaning them to shutting out loud noises. But which are worth the money?

We asked Ram Moorthy, a consultant ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon at The Princess Grace Hospital in London, and Jonathan Hughes, a consultant ENT surgeon at King Edward VII’s Hospital, also in London, to assess a selection of products. 

We then rated them.

MACK’S DRY-N-CLEAR EAR DRYING AID

30ml, £4.95, earplugshop.com

CLAIM: These drops are said to relieve the discomfort of water-clogged ears, which can lead to swimmer’s ear. They contain the drying agent isopropyl alcohol and glycerol to moisturise the lining of the ear canal.

EXPERT VERDICT: Mr Moorthy says: ‘Swimmer’s ear is an infection that is often caused by repeated exposure to water. If water gets into the ear, it can linger and create the ideal environment for bacteria to flourish.

‘The alcohol in this product will help dry the ear, however I’ve not seen evidence that it can actually prevent swimmer’s ear.

‘Also, the ears are generally very good at drying themselves — you could just tip your head to one side to allow water to drain out after swimming.’ 5/10

EARPOPPER

£99, amazon.co.uk

CLAIM: This hand-sized plastic device rebalances pressure in the middle ear, a build-up of which can cause pain and a feeling of the ears being ‘blocked’. You put the nozzle into one nostril and close the other with your finger. Push the button to release a stream of air into that nostril and swallow at the same time. Repeat in the other nostril.

EXPERT VERDICT: Mr Hughes says: ‘When you go on a plane, or if you have inflamed sinuses or a nasal infection, the Eustachian tube — which connects your middle ear to the back of your nose — can stop working.

‘You then get a pressure build-up in the middle ear, which you feel as pain or hearing loss. It usually resolves itself, but, in some people, can last for months.

‘The Eustachian tube opens when you swallow, so blowing air in when you do this can help to normalise pressure. It will feel a bit like blowing your nose. This is costly, though.’ 

8/10

HANDHELD BULB EAR SYRINGE

£4.89, amazon.co.uk

CLAIM: Fill the rubber ball with warm water and squeeze it into the ear through the long, tapered tip. This is said to dislodge hardened wax, which then flows back out.

EXPERT VERDICT: Mr Moorthy says: ‘Our ears are good at self-cleaning and can get rid of excess earwax or dirt themselves, but sometimes it gets stuck. This can be irritating and affect hearing.

‘Ear syringes claim to dislodge this build-up, but they can damage the ear canal or the eardrum if the water is squirted too hard.

‘If you feel like you need your ears syringed, then see a health professional, who can advise and carry it out if necessary.’ 

2/10

OTEX EXPRESS EAR DROPS

10ml, £4.99, boots.com

CLAIM: These drops contain urea hydrogen peroxide, which breaks down earwax. Use the pipette to apply five drops, twice a day.

EXPERT VERDICT: Mr Hughes says: ‘In my experience, these ear drops are very good at clearing wax if it has become a problem.

‘Unlike olive oil (another suggested remedy) which softens the wax, the active ingredient here breaks it up. 

The effect isn’t immediate, but, after a few days of using the drops, the wax will move out of the ear canal as it naturally would, so there’s no need for cotton buds.’ 

9/10

SAFETOTS CHILDREN’S EAR PROTECTOR

£12.95, safetots.co.uk

CLAIM: These headphone-style protectors are designed to ‘lessen harmful noises without shutting out other ambient sounds’. They are suitable from young babies to seven-year-olds, it is claimed.

EXPERT VERDICT: Mr Moorthy says: ‘Babies

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