Doctor reacts to earwax removal videos

• Earwax is completely normal, but large build ups can become troublesome.
• You're more likely to get earwax if you're older or if you've got a small ear canal.
• The person doing the earwax removal procedure doesn't need to be a doctor, but they should have the relevant qualifications.

Following is a transcript from the video:

Earwax is completely normal, but it can become troublesome. And that's when you might want to consider a procedure like this one.

I am Catherine Schuster-Bruce, a journalist and doctor working for Insider, and I'm going to watch some earwax-removal videos. Yeah, I think that is quite a big overreaction to how much pain or how uncomfortable that actually is.

So, you can see here, they've got a speculum, and that is something that they use to keep the ear open so they can see the earwax as best as possible. So, earwax is completely normal, and you should really only be having a procedure to remove it if it's causing you problems, like hearing loss, ear ringing, a funny sensation in your ear, if you're feeling like the world is spinning, or if it's stopping things like you getting a hearing aid fitted, for example.

So, the tool to remove the earwax depends on where in the ear the earwax is, how hard it is or how soft it is, and how big it is. So here you have a hook-shaped instrument, and that can be used to scrape the earwax off the ear canal, a bit like sticky toffee or fudge.

God! [gasps] Oh! [gasps]

So, there's two types of earwax. The oily one, which is softer and easier to get out, and the dry one, which is harder. If you've got the hard type of earwax, it might be worthwhile using some olive oil on your ear to soften the wax and then come back for the procedure.

So, this Hoover-like device is the microsuction, and that is used to remove the earwax. And you can use different tips on the end. So you can use a smaller one to actually get the wax off the eardrum. So, you're more likely to get earwax if you're older or if you've got a small ear canal. But there's also things that make it worse, like using Q-tips or earbuds.

This looks so crazy. Oh! Ooh, sorry.

Doctor: You're OK.

As with any medical procedure, there are some risks to be aware of. So, if you're getting this done, you should stay still and let the person doing it know if you get any pain or changes in comfort. So, earwax is completely normal. It protects and it lines the ear canal, and it also has some mild antibacterial properties because it's slightly acidic.

So it's made from dead cells, some substances that come from the glands in the air, and also some dirt and some dust. So, the person doing this procedure doesn't need to be a doctor, but they should have the relevant qualifications.

So have a look before you get it done. Having this procedure done does remove the earwax, but it can come back if you continue to use things like Q-tips.