Most kids never need their earwax taken out. Ears clean themselves! But if wax is blocking your child’s ear, we can take it out gently and safely. We see kids aged 4 and up. Here is what you need to know.
Written by Mo Helou, Principal Audiologist (Accredited Audiologist, Audiology Australia). Checked October 2026.
Signs your child might have too much wax
- They do not hear you well.
- They say “what?” a lot.
- They turn the TV up loud.
- They pull or rub their ear.
- You can see wax in the ear.
When your child does not need us
If your child hears well and their ear feels fine, leave the wax alone. It is there to protect the ear. If your child has ear pain, a fever, or stuff coming out of the ear, see your GP first. That could be an infection. And if it turns out to be glue ear (fluid behind the eardrum), we will tell you. Taking out wax will not help that, so we will not do it.
What happens at the visit
- We look first. We check both ears to see if it really is wax.
- We show your child. They can see the tools and hear the noise first, so there are no surprises.
- We gently take the wax out. It only takes a few minutes. Your child can sit on your lap.
- Your child is the boss. If they want to stop, we stop.
- We tell you what we found. And if your GP needs to see them, we tell you that too.
Please do not use these at home
- Cotton buds inside the ear.
- Ear candles.
- Home vacuum gadgets or ear cameras with scoops.
Clinic or home visit
Come to one of our clinics in Merrylands, Campbelltown, Alexandria, Winston Hills or Auburn. Or we can come to your home. You do not need a referral.
Book earwax removal for your child or call (02) 7238 7033.
Frequently asked questions
Is earwax removal safe for kids?
Yes, when it is done by a trained person who can see inside the ear. We use microsuction. That means a tiny, gentle vacuum and a special light. No water. Your child can ask us to stop at any time.
How old does my child need to be?
We see children aged 4 and up. For younger children, please see your GP first.
Does it hurt?
It should not hurt. It is a bit noisy, like a small vacuum, and can feel cold or tickly. If your child gets too upset, we stop and give you some ear drops to try instead.
How do I know if my child has too much earwax?
Your child might not hear you well, say ‘what?’ a lot, pull at their ear, or you might see wax. But other things can feel the same, like an ear infection. That is why we look first.
Should I clean my child's ears with cotton buds?
No. Just wipe the outside of the ear with a washcloth. Cotton buds push wax further in and can hurt the ear.
Is it earwax or glue ear?
Both are common in kids. Earwax is in the ear tube, and we can take it out. Glue ear is fluid behind the eardrum, and taking out wax will not fix it. We will look and tell you which one it is.
Sources: healthdirect, earwax; National Deaf Children’s Society, managing ear wax; NICE guideline NG98, earwax removal.
