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Ear drops serve three purposes: removing wax, drying ears after swimming, and treating/preventing ear infections. Wax removal drops contain oil, while drying drops contain alcohol and acetic acid. Antibiotic drops may also contain steroids and are prescribed for infections or after ear tube surgery.
Ear drops can come in many forms and can be purchased over the counter or available by prescription only. Typically, the drops are used for three specific purposes. These are removing wax, drying the ear after swimming and treating or preventing bacterial or viral ear infections.
Wax removal ear drops typically contain some form of oil, which helps soften the wax buildup in the ears. They can be used alone or used in conjunction with ear washes to help remove excess earwax. While all people have some earwax, some people produce it in larger amounts and may need to have their ears cleaned regularly to avoid ear pain. Occasionally, when a person cleans their ears, they push wax onto the eardrum, which can muffle the sound. If you notice hearing loss, seek advice from a doctor before using the drops, unless it is a common problem you have experienced in the past.
Swimmers can use another form of drops to dry their ears after swimming and prevent swimmer’s ear. These over-the-counter drops usually contain alcohol and may also have acetic acid. This combination can help prevent some bacteria from growing in the ear and can help solve the “water in the ear” problem of excessive swimming. People who swim very frequently may be better served by using earplugs instead, as this will help prevent water from entering their ears and creating this problem.
Many types of drops are prescribed to treat ear infections. These drops contain a liquid antibiotic and may also have a steroid ingredient. Steroid ear drops may be more effective at reducing swelling or pain associated with an ear infection. Some doctors do not prescribe drops but instead prescribe oral antibiotics to treat ear infections.
Steroid drops may be more effective at treating viral ear infections because antibiotics won’t work in this case. They can help reduce pain and swelling, but many doctors are reluctant to use them if the pain can be addressed by other means. Taking a mild pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be just as effective at treating pain.
When children have ear tube placement surgery, they may also require antibiotic ear drops. This may be a standard treatment for a few weeks after surgery to prevent infection. Doctors may also prescribe oral antibiotics, depending on the extent of the surgery and the presence of infection before the tubes are placed.
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