It’s a good idea to make sure your ears are clean before your appointment. A small amount of earwax is completely normal, but if there’s too much wax it can affect the accuracy of your ear impressions and, in turn, the fit of your custom earplugs or in-ear monitors.
If you have a known issue with excessive wax or frequent wax build-up, many of our fitting points/ audiology clinics suggest using ear-cleaning drops or a spray a few days before your appointment to help clear the ear canal.
A bit of earwax is usually not a problem for taking impressions, but if your eardrum isn’t visible due to a blocked ear, it’s not safe to proceed. This is an exception - and most people who are prone to wax build-up are already aware that their ears might need to be cleaned regularly.
If you’re unsure, we recommend having your ears checked by your GP or an audiologist before your appointment. Many clinics also offer professional ear cleaning, which can be arranged separately. (This isn’t part of the impression-taking process itself.)
Clean ears help us achieve the best possible fit, comfort, and acoustic seal - so it’s worth taking a little extra care beforehand.