Ear Wax Removal for Frequent Flyers (Pilots & Cabin Crew): Keeping Your Hearing Clear Around Gatwick

Frequent flyers—especially pilots and cabin crew—rely on sharp hearing, comfortable headset use, and reliable pressure equalisation on every sector.

When your ears feel blocked, it can be hard to tell whether you’re dealing with earwax build-up (cerumen impaction), airplane ear (barotrauma), or a bit of both.

The good news is that most cases can be assessed quickly and managed safely with the right approach, following recognised clinical guidance.

I’m Hamed, an ear wax removal specialist and the founder of Ear Wax Solution, with a main clinic in Horley, covering the area around Gatwick Airport.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through what’s happening, what you can do yourself (safely), and when professional earwax removal—most commonly microsuction—is the sensible next step.

Why frequent flyers get “blocked ear” symptoms more often

Flying creates a perfect storm for ear symptoms:

• Rapid pressure changes during climb and descent challenge the Eustachian tubes (the pressure-equalising channel between your middle ear and the back of your nose). If they don’t open well, you can develop airplane ear symptoms like pressure, pain, and muffled hearing.

• Dry cabin air can worsen nasal dryness and congestion, which can impair Eustachian tube function.

• Headsets/earpieces can push wax deeper over time and make mild wax more noticeable because you’re monitoring sound constantly.

• Irregular sleep, allergies, and frequent URTIs (common in crew life) increase congestion risk—one of the main triggers for barotrauma.

Earwax vs airplane ear: same sensation, different causes

Both problems can feel like “my ear is blocked,” but the mechanism is different.

Symptom/Clue	More suggestive of earwax build-up	More suggestive of airplane ear (barotrauma)
Timing	Gradual, over days/weeks	Often peaks on descent/landing
Sensation	Fullness + muffled hearing, sometimes itch	Pressure/pain, popping, muffled hearing
Pain	Usually mild/none	Can be significant
Tinnitus/dizziness	Can occur	Can occur, especially with pressure issues
Visible finding	Wax plug in ear canal	Ear drum may look retracted/inflamed (needs examination)

Barotrauma is linked to pressure changes and Eustachian tube function.

Earwax build-up is a physical blockage in the ear canal.

In practice, I often see both: mild wax reducing hearing clarity, plus congestion-related pressure issues making everything feel worse in flight.

What earwax is (and why your ears produce it)

Earwax is normal. It helps protect the ear canal by trapping dust and debris, and it has protective properties. Most ears self-clean naturally; problems start when wax accumulates and becomes impacted, blocking sound and irritating the canal.

NHS guidance reflects that earwax usually falls out on its own, but sometimes builds up and blocks the ear.

Common reasons pilots and cabin crew develop wax build-up

From a clinical perspective, these factors repeatedly show up in frequent flyers:

• In-ear devices (earpieces, moulds, monitors) and frequent headset use

• Narrow or bendy ear canals (anatomy matters more than people realise)

• Skin conditions (eczema/dermatitis) that increase shedding in the canal

• Attempted “cleaning” with cotton buds (this commonly pushes wax deeper and compacts it)

• Hearing aids (wax management is a recognised need in guidance)

Symptoms that suggest earwax build-up

Typical earwax symptoms include:

• Muffled hearing / reduced clarity (often one-sided)

• A blocked or “full” feeling

• Itch or mild irritation

• Tinnitus (ringing)

• Occasional mild dizziness

If your hearing is mission-critical (flight deck, cabin safety comms), even “mild” wax can be functionally significant.

Red flags: when you should not self-treat

Do not put drops in your ear and do not attempt self-removal if you have:

• Ear pain that is severe or worsening

• Discharge, bleeding, or a bad smell

• Sudden hearing loss

• Significant dizziness/vertigo

• A known or suspected perforated eardrum, grommets, or prior ear surgeryGuidance commonly cautions against using products if there’s a chance the eardrum is perforated.

  
  

If these apply, you need assessment rather than self-care.

How I assess blocked ears in clinic (what to expect)

A safe plan starts with a proper look in the ear. In my Horley ear wax removal clinic, assessment typically includes:

1. History: onset, flight-related pattern, pain, discharge, infections, prior surgery, eardrum history, headset use.

2. Otoscopy: direct visualisation of the ear canal and eardrum (where visible).

3. Risk check: contraindications for drops, irrigation, or certain techniques.

4. Plan: wax removal, advice for barotrauma prevention, or referral if the eardrum/ear canal looks inflamed or abnormal.

This mirrors the principle in evidence-based guidance: identify cerumen impaction, assess modifying factors, and choose an appropriate management route

Goals for frequent flyers: what “good” looks like

Your goals are usually practical and time-sensitive:

• Restore clear hearing for comms and situational awareness

• Reduce the “blocked ear” sensation before sectors

• Minimise recurrence (without over-treating)

• Avoid unnecessary risk (e.g., unsafe syringing, cotton buds, ear candling)

Safe self-care options (evidence-based)

1) Soften the wax with appropriate ear drops

NHS advice commonly suggests 2–3 drops of olive or almond oil, repeated for several days to help wax soften and move.

NICE CKS includes wax-softening drops as an initial management option (for example, sodium bicarbonate or oils) when removal is indicated.

Practical approach I typically recommend (when safe for you):

• Use softening drops as per product instructions (often a few days).

• If hearing is still reduced—or you’re close to duty—don’t keep escalating DIY methods. Professional earwax removal is usually faster and safer.

2) What to avoid

• Cotton buds and probing the ear canal: increases compaction and irritation risk.

• Using drops if there’s any chance of eardrum perforation or active infection.

Professional earwax removal: what works best for crew

Guidelines recognise three broad options: cerumenolytics (drops), irrigation, and manual removal.

For frequent flyers who need rapid, controlled results, microsuction is often preferred in practice because it’s precise and doesn’t introduce water into the canal (which can be relevant for people prone to irritation or time-pressured around flights).

Microsuction (common choice for pilots and cabin crew)

• Direct visual control

• Typically quick

• No flushing water into the ear canal

• Suitable for many people who should avoid irrigation (subject to assessment)

Irrigation (syringing) and why it’s not always ideal for flyers

Irrigation can be appropriate for some patients, but it is not suitable for everyone and requires careful screening (eardrum status, infection history, surgery, etc.). NICE CKS discusses irrigation as a possible method but within an overall safety/contraindications framework.

In short: the “right” method is the one that matches your ear history and the findings on examination.

Flight-day guidance: reducing blocked-ear symptoms in the air

If your symptoms are mainly pressure-related (airplane ear), these strategies help many flyers:

• Stay awake for descent if you can—swallowing/yawning helps equalise pressure.

• Chew, swallow, sip water during descent.

• If you’re congested (cold/allergies), recognise this increases barotrauma risk.

• If symptoms persist beyond the flight or are severe, get assessed—barotrauma can cause pain, pressure, hearing changes, dizziness.

If you fly professionally, be cautious with any medication that could affect alertness or fitness to fly—seek advice appropriate to your role.

Preventing recurrence: a realistic maintenance plan for frequent flyers

For crew who repeatedly block with wax, prevention is usually about gentle consistency, not aggressive cleaning:

• Avoid cotton buds and “ear digging.”

• Consider periodic softening drops if you know you’re prone to plugs (only when safe for your ear history). NHS materials discuss oil drops as a self-care option for build-up.

• If you use in-ear devices, ensure they fit well and avoid pushing wax deeper.

• Book proactive checks if you’re noticing repeat muffling every few weeks/months—especially ahead of heavy rosters.

Safety, governance, and when I refer on

At Ear Wax Solution, I treat earwax removal as a clinical procedure: history, visual assessment, method selection, documentation, and clear advice on aftercare and red flags. If I see signs of infection, significant inflammation, suspected eardrum problems, or symptoms that don’t fit simple wax, I will advise appropriate onward assessment.

Book earwax removal near Gatwick (Horley clinic + surrounding areas)

If you’re based around Gatwick, Horley, Crawley, Redhill, Reigate, or nearby—and you need quick, safe earwax removal that suits roster life—microsuction is often the most efficient route once wax is confirmed on examination.

FAQs (for pilots, cabin crew, and frequent flyers)

Can earwax make airplane ear worse?

Earwax doesn’t cause middle-ear pressure problems, but it can reduce hearing and increase the sensation of blockage, making pressure symptoms feel more pronounced.

Should I use cotton buds to clear wax before a flight?

No—cotton buds commonly push wax deeper and increase impaction risk.

How soon before a flight should I book wax removal?

If you’re symptomatic, I recommend booking as soon as you notice muffled hearing, rather than waiting until the day before duty.

Are olive oil drops safe?

They can be helpful for softening wax in many people, and the NHS includes them as a self-care option. They are not appropriate if you may have a perforated eardrum or active infection—get checked first.

What if my ear is painful on descent?

That pattern can fit barotrauma. If pain is severe, persists, or you have dizziness or bleeding, seek medical assessment.

Is irrigation (syringing) always a bad idea?

Not always, but it depends on your ear history and what I see on examination. NICE CKS includes irrigation among options with appropriate precautions.

I wear a headset all day—does that increase wax?

It can contribute, particularly with in-ear devices, by pushing wax inward and making minor build-up more noticeable.

When should I avoid ear drops entirely?

If you have discharge, severe pain, suspected perforation, grommets, or recent ear surgery—avoid drops and book an assessment.