10
Treatment
Table 5. Shared Decision Grid For Patients and Caregivers
For Cerumen Management
Frequently
Asked
Questions
Observation
(KAS 3b)
Cerumenolytic
Agents
(KAS 6)
Irrigation
(KAS 7)
Manual
removal
(KAS 8)
Are there
any age
restrictions?
No Yes.
NOT
recommended
for ages <3 years
and in patients
with non-intact
ear drums.
No, but small children may be
non-cooperative.
What does it
involve?
See provider
periodically to
examine the ear
canal.
Instill several
drops of earwax
soening
products once or
twice daily for
3–5 days.
Cleaning the
ear canal with
water to flush
out the earwax.
Earwax is
removed by
the clinician
inserting a
curette, forceps,
or suction tip
into the ear,
dislodging
the wax and
retracting it.
How long
does the
treatment
take?
Time to
examine the ear
canal.
<5 minutes to
instill drops
Should not
take >30
minutes
(includes
preparation
time).
e procedure
takes a few
minutes and
does not need
anesthesia.
What are the
benefits?
Reduce
unneeded
treatment.
• Non-invasive
• Done at home
• Avoid clinician
visits
• Immediate
resolution of
symptoms
caused by
the cerumen
impaction
• Self-
irrigation
can also
be done at
home.
Immediate
resolution of
symptoms
caused by
the cerumen
impaction.
