Ear wax Ear, Nose and Throat Ear wax
Conditions
Interventions
Self-treatment using a bulb syringe compared with the standard treatment of syringing by a practice nurse or GP.
Sponsors
University of Southampton (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Adults presenting at participating surgeries with symptoms of ear wax and having wax occluding one or both ear drums.
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: History of perforated ear drum, other significant ear disease or surgery, signs of perforation or infection in the affected ear, patients with cognitive impairment sufficient to preclude them from following the instructions or completing the questionnaire.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Objective clearance of wax 2. Relief of symptoms 3. Acceptability of treatment 4. Unwanted effects of treatment 5. Proportion of people requiring further intervention within 6 weeks 6. Costs of prescriptions for subsequent ear care in 6 weeks from randomisation | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Rates of consultation with GP and practice nurse for ear care at one and two years. | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed