Ear Examination

Finding Out What's Actually Wrong With Your Ears

A client recently came to one of our clinice absolutely convinced she had massive wax buildup in both ears. She'd been using drops for three weeks, tried everything short of sticking a hoover in there. Her hearing was muffled, her ears felt full, and she'd googled all the symptoms - definitely wax, right?

We examined her ears. Completely clean. Not a speck of wax anywhere.

Turned out she had fluid behind her eardrums from a sinus infection. Needed antibiotics, not ear wax removal. She'd been treating the wrong problem for weeks because she'd just assumed it was wax.

This happens more than you'd think. Blocked ears don't always mean wax. Sometimes it's fluid, sometimes it's infection, sometimes it's pressure issues, occasionally it's something more serious. You can't tell just by how it feels.

That's why we always start with a proper ear examination before doing any wax removal. We need to see what's actually going on in there, not just guess. Takes five minutes, tells us exactly what we're dealing with, and means we're treating the actual problem rather than wasting your time and money on the wrong solution.

Check to see if a Happy Ears Ear Wax removal Specialist is near you

What Is an Ear Examination and Do I Need One Before Wax Removal?

An ear examination is a visual inspection of your ear canal and eardrum using an otoscope (a lighted magnifying instrument) to identify what's causing your symptoms.

You should always have an ear examination before any wax removal procedure.

Here's why it matters - what we check for:

• Location and amount of ear wax buildup
• Hardness and consistency of the wax
• Signs of ear infection or inflammation
• Perforated or damaged eardrums
• Foreign objects lodged in the ear canal
• Fluid behind the eardrum
• Skin conditions affecting the ear canal

It's Non-Negotiable:

Without examining your ears first, we can't safely determine which removal method is appropriate, whether removal is even needed, or if your symptoms are caused by something other than wax that requires medical attention instead.

A proper examination takes 5-10 minutes and prevents treating the wrong problem.

Why an Ear Wax Check Isn't Just About Finding Wax

Most people book an ear examination assuming they know what's wrong—"I've got blocked ears, must be wax, just need it removed." And yes, probably 60-80% of the time, they're right. But that other 20-40%? That's where things get interesting.

Here's what we've found during routine ear wax checks that turned out to be something completely different:

Ear infections:

Red, inflamed ear canals with discharge. People assume the fullness and muffled hearing is wax when actually they've got an infection brewing. Needs antibiotics, not wax removal.

Fluid behind the eardrum (glue ear):

More common in kids but happens to adults too. The eardrum looks dull and retracted, sometimes with visible fluid behind it. Feels exactly like blocked ears, but there's no wax in the canal at all.

Eustachian tube dysfunction:

Your Eustachian tubes (the channels connecting your middle ear to your throat) aren't working properly. Creates pressure, fullness, muffled hearing—all the same symptoms as wax. But your ear canal is completely clear.

Perforated eardrums:

Sometimes from old infections, sometimes from trauma. People don't always know they've got a hole in their eardrum until we look. Changes everything about how we can safely treat them.

Foreign objects:

You'd be surprised. We've found bits of cotton bud tips that snapped off, insects (yes, really), backs of earrings, and foam from earplugs that got pushed too deep. One client had a tiny stone lodged in there from a motorbike accident years ago that he'd completely forgotten about.

Skin conditions:

Eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis affecting the ear canal. Looks different from wax, needs different treatment.

Excessive earwax production without blockage:

Sometimes people have loads of wax visible, but it's not actually blocking anything and their eardrum is clearly visible. We will let you know and advise accordingly.

Tumours or growths (rare, but happens):

Unusual lumps or growths that need proper medical investigation. We've spotted a couple over the years and referred people straight to ENT specialists.

This is exactly why we don't just take your word for it when you say "I've got wax." We need to actually look.

What Actually Happens During an Ear Examination for Ear Wax

Let's walk through the whole process so you know exactly what to expect when you come in for an ear inspection for wax.

The Initial Chat: Before we look in your ears, we'll ask some questions:

• How long have your ears been bothering you?
• Which ear, or both?
• Have you used any drops? If so, what type and for how long?
• Any pain, discharge, or bleeding?
• Previous ear problems, surgery, or perforations?
• Recent swimming, flying, or diving?
• Do you wear hearing aids or earbuds regularly?

These aren't just box-ticking questions—the answers tell us what to look for and what might be going on.

The Otoscope Examination:

We'll use an otoscope (that little torch thing with a cone-shaped attachment) to look into each ear. You'll feel the cone gently placed in your outer ear—doesn't go deep, doesn't hurt, just sits at the entrance while we peer through.

We're looking down your ear canal all the way to your eardrum (if we can see it). The otoscope magnifies everything and has a bright light so we can see exactly what's there.

What we're checking:

First glance -  Is there wax? Where is it? How much? What colour? (Colour tells us about age and consistency)

Wax location -  Is it at the entrance, middle, or deep in the canal? Is it coating the walls or forming a plug? Is the eardrum visible behind it or completely obscured?

Wax consistency -  Soft and golden? Hard and dark? Flaky and dry? This tells us which removal method will work best and whether you need drops first.

The ear canal itself -  Any redness, swelling, flaking skin, or discharge? Narrow or wide canal? Straight or curved? (Some canals bend at odd angles, which affects removal.)

The eardrum  - If we can see it, does it look healthy? Normal colour and shape? Any holes, scarring, or retraction? Any fluid visible behind it?

Both ears -  We always check both, even if only one is bothering you. Often find wax in the "good" ear too.

After examining both ears, we'll explain what we found in plain English. No medical jargon, no confusing explanations—just "here's what's in there, here's what we think is causing your symptoms, here's what we recommend."

The whole examination takes 5-10 minutes.

Check to see if a Happy Ears Ear Wax removal Specialist is near you

When It's Not Wax: Other Culprits Behind Blocked Ears

This is the section that surprises people most. You're absolutely certain you've got wax buildup, but the examination shows something completely different.

Eustachian Tube Problems:

Your Eustachian tubes run from your middle ear to the back of your throat. They regulate pressure and drain fluid. When they're not working right—maybe from a cold, allergies, sinus issues—your ears feel blocked and full.

What it feels like:

Exactly like wax. Muffled hearing, pressure, fullness, sometimes clicking or popping when you swallow. Your ears might feel "underwater."

What we see: Completely clear ear canal, but your eardrum looks dull or retracted inwards instead of being slightly cone-shaped. Sometimes we can see fluid behind the eardrum.

What you need: Decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays, or just time for it to settle. Not wax removal. If it persists, you might need to see your GP or an ENT specialist.

Sinus and Allergy Issues:

Blocked sinuses create pressure that affects your ears. Hay fever, dust allergies, sinus infections—all can make your ears feel stuffed up.

What it feels like: Blocked ears, but usually alongside a stuffy nose, facial pressure, or post-nasal drip.

What we see: Clear ear canals, possibly some inflammation, but no wax blockage.

What you need: Treat the underlying sinus or allergy problem. Once that settles, your ears usually improve too.

Ear Infections (Otitis Externa or Otitis Media):

External infections affect the ear canal itself. Middle ear infections happen behind the eardrum. Both create that blocked, full feeling.

What it feels like: Blocked ears, often with pain, tenderness, possible discharge. Your ear might feel hot or itchy. Sometimes your hearing is affected.

What we see: Red, inflamed ear canal (external infection) or a red, bulging eardrum (middle ear infection). Sometimes discharge or pus. Might be some wax too, but the infection is the main problem.

What you need: Antibiotics or ear drops. We'll refer you to your GP. Can't do wax removal while there's an active infection—need to sort the infection first.

Perforated Eardrum:

A hole in your eardrum, either from old infections, trauma, or sudden pressure changes. Some people don't even know they have one.

What it feels like: Varies. Sometimes muffled hearing, sometimes normal. Occasionally slight discharge. Some people have no symptoms at all.

What we see: A clear hole or tear in the eardrum when we look through the otoscope. Size varies from tiny pinhole to quite large.

What this means for you: Can't have water irrigation. Microsuction is usually fine, but we need to be extra careful. Depending on the size and cause, you might need to see an ENT specialist.

Age-Related Hearing Loss:

As you get older, hearing naturally declines. It's gradual, affecting both ears usually, and has nothing to do with wax.

What it feels like: Difficulty hearing, especially in noisy environments. People mumble more (or so it seems). TV volume creeps up over time.

What we see: Clean ear canals, healthy eardrums, but you're still struggling to hear. This isn't a wax problem.

What you need: Hearing test with an audiologist. Possibly hearing aids. We'll point you in the right direction.

TMJ (Jaw Joint) Problems:

Temporomandibular joint disorders affect the jaw joint right in front of your ear. Can cause ear fullness, pain, and odd sensations.

What it feels like: Blocked or full ears, often with jaw pain, clicking, or difficulty chewing. Worse with jaw movement.

What we see: Perfectly clear ears. Nothing wrong in the ear canal or with the eardrum.

What you need: Dentist or TMJ specialist, not ear wax removal.

We hear many "I Was Sure It Was Wax" Stories:

With so many potential other causes for your ears to feel that there is a wax problem, you can now hopefully appreciate that wax buildup is not always the culprit.

In a few cases, we've carried out an ear examination, and the problem was chronic ear canal irritation and inflammation, caused by daily cotton bud usage and poking and prodding. The remedy was to leave his ears alone and use prescribed ear drops.

Why DIY Ear Wax Checks Don't Work

A number of people try all sorts before coming to see us. Looking in the mirror with a torch, getting their partner to have a peek, shining their phone light in there, buying those ear camera things off Amazon. Here's some of the reasond why you should seek a professional examination:

You Can't See Far Enough

Your ear canal is about 2.5-3cm deep and curves. Unless you've got professional equipment, you're only seeing the very outer bit. The wax causing your blockage might be sitting deep in the canal, completely invisible from the outside.

Those cheap ear cameras people buy online? Terrible image quality, no magnification worth mentioning, and impossible to manoeuvre properly. You'll see some blurry shapes and then guess at what it is.

You Don't Know What You're Looking At

Even if you could see properly, would you know the difference between normal wax that doesn't need removing and problematic buildup? Between healthy ear canal skin and inflammation? Between your eardrum and a wax plug?

We've examined thousands of ears. We know what normal looks like, what needs treating, and what needs referring to a doctor. You're comparing your ear to... what, exactly?

You Might Make It Worse

Poking around with cotton buds, bobby pins, or those spiral ear cleaners while trying to see what's in there? That's how people push wax deeper, scratch their ear canals, or perforate their eardrums.

One patient came in with a bleeding ear canal. He'd been using one of those camera ear cleaners, trying to scoop wax out while watching on his phone screen. Couldn't judge depth properly, scratched the canal wall, panicked when it started bleeding, came straight to us. Needed antibiotic drops and time to heal before we could safely remove the wax he'd been trying to tackle.

Cotton Bud Checks Make Things Worse

"I stuck a cotton bud in and it came out clean, so my ears must be fine." No. All you've done is potentially push wax deeper. The bud might look clean because the wax is further in where the cotton can't reach.

Or worse: "I use cotton buds daily, so I don't have wax buildup."  Wax serves a purpose, it provides a protective barrier in your ear canal. Excessive cleaning prevents it from doing its job, potentially causing dry, itchy, irritated ear canals. Plus you might be pushing deeper wax into a compacted plug.

The False Reassurance Problem

People convince themselves they know what's wrong, try to treat it, and waste weeks or months on the wrong solution. Meanwhile, the actual problem—infection, Eustachian tube dysfunction, whatever—isn't being addressed.

Just Get Yor Ears Checked Properly:

Five minutes with an otoscope tells us exactly what's going on. Saves you time, money, and the risk of making things worse by guessing. Why mess about?

What Happens After Your Ear Inspection for Wax

So we've examined your ears and found... something. What happens next depends on what we've discovered.

Scenario 1: It's Ear Wax and It Needs Removing

We'll explain:

• How much wax there is and where it's located
• Whether it's soft or hard (consistency matters)
• Which removal method we recommend (irrigation or microsuction)
• Whether you need to use drops first to soften it

If the wax is soft:

Your Practitioner can usually remove it straight away in the same appointment depending on the current booking schedule. If you're both free for the next 20 minutes, it can be sorted there and then.

If the wax is rock-hard:

You'll need to use olive oil drops twice daily for 3-5 days to soften it first, then come back for removal. We'll explain exactly how to use the drops and book your removal appointment.

Scenario 2: Your Ears Are Actually Fine

Sometimes we find minimal wax that's not causing any blockage. Your eardrum is clearly visible, ear canal looks healthy, nothing needs removing. If you're still experiencing symptoms, we'll discuss what else might be causing them and where to get help—usually your GP for things like Eustachian tube problems or sinus issues.

Scenario 3: There's Something That Needs Medical Attention

If we spot an infection, perforation, unusual growth, or anything concerning, we'll:

• Explain clearly what we've found
• Refer you to your GP, ENT or A&E (depending on urgency)
• Provide written notes if helpful for your doctor
• Not attempt wax removal until the underlying issue is sorted

Scenario 4: Wax Plus Something Else

Sometimes we find wax buildup alongside another issue—maybe a mild infection developing, or a small perforation, or signs of dermatitis. We'll explain both problems and work out the best plan, which might involve seeing your GP first before we remove the wax.

No-Obligation :

If you just want the examination without committing to removal there and then, that's completely fine. Some people want to think about it, check their schedule, or sort out any underlying issues first. No pressure, no sales pitch.

If you need drops first and don't want to book a return appointment yet because you're not sure of your availability, that's fine too. Use the drops, book when you're ready.

We're here to tell you what's going on in your ears, not push you into procedures you don't want or aren't ready for.

Understanding Ear Wax: What's Normal and What's Not

Since we're examining hundreds of ears every week, here's what we've learned about ear wax that might surprise you.

Ear Wax Colour Means Something:

Bright orange-yellow:

Like a good egg yolk - Fresh, new wax. Usually soft. This is what healthy, recent wax looks like.

Golden brown:

Wax that's been there a few weeks. Still relatively soft, usually comes out easily.

Dark brown:

Older wax that's been sitting there for months. Getting harder and more compacted.

Very dark brown or black:

Old, very compacted wax that's been building up for ages. Often quite hard and difficult to remove without softening first.

Grey or black with other colours:

Ancient wax, possibly years old. Usually rock-hard. Sometimes comes out in one satisfying chunk showing layers of different colours like tree rings.

The colour doesn't mean anything's wrong—it just tells us how long it's been there and what consistency to expect.

Wax Amount Varies Massively Between People:

Some people produce loads of wax and need clearing every few months. Others produce very little and might never have a blockage in their entire lives. It's genetic, age-related, and influenced by what you do (hearing aid users, people who wear earbuds constantly, swimmers—all tend to have more wax issues).

What Wax Actually Does (Why You Need It):

Wax isn't dirt. It's not your body failing to keep your ears clean. It's protective:

• Traps dust, dirt, and small particles before they reach your eardrum
• Lubricates your ear canal (the skin in there is very delicate)
• Has antibacterial properties that help prevent infections
• Naturally migrates outward in a self-cleaning process

Your ears are supposed to have some wax. When we remove it all, you're temporarily without that protection, which is why we suggest avoiding swimming or dusty environments for a day or two afterwards.

When Wax Becomes a Problem:

Normally, wax naturally works its way out of your ear canal through jaw movement (chewing, talking) and skin cell migration. But sometimes it doesn't:

• Narrow or curved ear canals - Less room for wax to migrate naturally
• Overproduction - Some people just make more than average
• Pushing it deeper - Usually from cotton buds or ear plugs
• Hearing aids or earbuds - Physical barrier preventing natural migration
• Age - Wax tends to get drier and harder as you get older, making it more likely to get stuck
• Hairy ear canals - More hair creates more obstacles for wax to navigate around

Once wax gets stuck and starts building up, it compounds. More wax piles on top, gets compacted, eventually blocks the whole canal. That's when you notice symptoms.

The "I Never Had This Problem Before" Thing:

People are often surprised when they suddenly get ear wax problems in their 40s or 50s when they never had issues before. Your body changes. Wax consistency changes with age, ear canal shape can change slightly, you might start wearing hearing aids or using earbuds more. It's normal for wax problems to appear later in life even if you never had them before.

Check to see if a Happy Ears Ear Wax removal Specialist is near you

Why Trust Happy Ears With Your Ear Examination

We examine ears all day, every day. It's not a side service we offer between other treatments—this is literally what we specialise in.

We've Seen Everything Thousands of ear examinations means we've seen every type of wax buildup, every ear canal shape, and pretty much every ear-related issue that walks through the door. That experience counts when you're trying to work out what's causing someone's symptoms.

We know the difference between wax that needs removing and wax that's fine to leave. We can spot infections, perforations, and problems that need medical attention. We know when to treat and when to refer.

Proper Equipment That Actually Works:

Our otoscopes are medical-grade diagnostic equipment, not cheap imports or consumer gadgets. Clear magnification, bright LED lighting, and the ability to see right down to your eardrum properly.

Some of our clinics have video otoscopy equipment that lets you see what we're seeing on a screen. Not because it's a gimmick, but because it genuinely helps people understand what's going on in their ears and why we're recommending particular treatments.

We'll Tell You If Nothing's Wrong:

If your ears are fine and don't need treating, we'll say so. We don't make up problems to justify doing procedures. If your symptoms are being caused by something other than wax, we'll explain that and point you in the right direction.

We've examined people and told them their ears are completely clear more times than we can count. Sometimes they're relieved, sometimes they're confused about what's causing their symptoms, but at least they know wax isn't the problem and they can stop wasting time on the wrong solution.

Honest Assessments, No Sales Pressure:

The examination is diagnostic, not a sales pitch. We'll tell you what we've found, what we recommend, and why. If you want to go away and think about it, that's fine. If you want to try drops first and see if things improve, that's fine too. If you want to book removal there and then, also fine.

No pressure, no pushy sales tactics, just honest advice based on what we've seen in your ears.

Fully Insured and Professional:

We carry professional indemnity insurance and maintain proper clinical records. If we spot something that needs medical attention, we'll refer you appropriately and provide documentation for your GP if needed.

We follow proper infection control procedures, use sterilised equipment, and maintain professional standards throughout. Boring details maybe, but they matter.

Ready to Hear Clearly Again?

You can keep guessing what's wrong with your ears, trying different solutions, hoping something works. Or you can just get them properly examined and know for certain.

Book Your Ear Examination:

Our online booking system shows real-time availability. Pick a time that suits you—the examination itself only takes 5-10 minutes. You'll get instant confirmation with all the details. Simple as that.

What to Expect on the Day:

Just turn up. No special preparation needed unless you've already been using ear drops (in which case, keep using them as directed).

We'll ask about your symptoms, examine both ears thoroughly, show you what we've found (if you want to see), and explain what we recommend.

If you need wax removal and we can do it straight away, we'll offer to do it in the same appointment. If you need to use drops first, we'll explain how and book you back in. If your ears are fine or need medical attention, we'll tell you that honestly.

Cost and Transparency

We'll tell you the cost when you book. If you need wax removal, we'll confirm the price before we start. No hidden charges, no surprise extras.

Still Wondering If You Need an Ear Wax Examination?

If you're experiencing any of these, get your ears checked:

• Muffled or blocked hearing
• Feeling of fullness or pressure in one or both ears
• Earache or discomfort
• Ringing, buzzing, or humming (tinnitus)
• Dizziness or balance issues
• You've been using ear drops for days with no improvement

Stop guessing. Get them examined properly. Takes ten minutes and tells you exactly what you're dealing with.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ear Examinations