Toddler blocked ears, does olive oil work?

[winniesanderson]

My 21 month olds ears are both completely blocked with wax. We were advised by the gp to use sodium bicarbonate drops but they didn't seem to have had any effect as I have had her ears checked today and they're still blocked. Have now been advised to use olive oil instead. But I'm sure I've read that this isn't as effective? Was wondering if anybody has had a positive experience using olive oil to clear ears. Or what the next steps might be if the drops don't work?

It's been having a huge effect on her speech, she hasn't got many words and is only recently really babbling. She's also been 'losing' some words or sounds. And it's starting to worry me a fair bit. I've not got any other concerns about her development. She's otherwise right on track and her understanding is good so I presume she's hearing ok anyway.

I get blocked ears quite often, and I've always used olive oil and it's worked for me, I put it in twice a day, although it took a while for it to start having an effect, it does definitely soften the wax and eventually clear the ear

Yes, olive oil does work and its cheaper than other ear drops. It just takes time and regular use to loosen the wax. Warm the oil to skin temp beforehand as cold olive oil is very unpleasant.

Hi! I’ve used olive oil for both my ears and ds ears and it’s worked a treat each time. According to my gp warming it up a little is helpful too (make sure not too hot obv!)

Yes, although getting my son to lie still for more than two minutes while it did it's work was a challenge!

That's brilliant thank you for the replies. Great to hear they work :)

Next steps would be an ENT referral for microsuctioning. I’m not sure if the NHS do this always (or how long the waits are) but you can get it done privately. I’m looking into this for my son. I’ve known his ears are blocked for a while, but because it doesn’t seem to affect his hearing too much I’ve been a bit blasé about treating it (also, he’s not always very good about lying still for drops). Feel a bit bad about that, so I’m tempted to get his ears treated and then keep on top of any wax build up with olive oil. Apparently the spray version is good.

My partner recently went to the GP for a blocked ear to the point it affected his hearing. They prescribed olive oil for daily use and to come back in a week for the ear to be cleared out, although he went back sooner due to the way it effected his hearing. He was seen the same day he called to have his ear cleared. Could depend on your GP.
:)

I've just been to the Dr for this exact thing today for my 3 year old. She kept saying she couldn't hear up and it turns out her ears are full of wax. They've said to do the olive oil trick. But did say don't do both at the same time as if might get worse before it get better and becomes unblocked.

No they didn’t work for my child at all

I used olive oil drops on my son for a few weeks and they didnt clear. He got referred to the hospital for wax removal but got told the wait was 14-20 weeks in our area. Ended up taking him to a private clinic to get it done.

Take her back if they dont clear and ask for a referral to get them microsuctioned.

Nurse here. Personally hate sodium bicarb, it does nothing but dry the wax and irritate the delicate skin in the war canal - In my area we never recommend or use it.

Yes any oil will work, some people prefer almond oil over olive (if no allergies) but both work really well but........it can take up to 6 weeks depending on how dry the wax already is so patience is key. Try to persevere as other interventions sent as well tolerated by children (depending on age/understanding/types of fears etc). Next steps like pp said is a referral to ENT.

Sorry my grammer and spelling are awful - long day

Otex do olive oil drops with a little dropper.

Thank you for all the replies. Really don't think she'd tolerate the micro suction well, so will definitely persevere. But it's put my mind at rest to know there are further options if it comes to that.

It's just a very thin device that sucks out the wax - like a tiny hoover