Ear Wax Removal Products Should Not Be Used if Ear Tubes Are in Place

Published May 1, 2026

Tympanostomy tubes, or ear tubes, are tiny tubes put into the eardrum to help fluid drain and let air into the middle ear. Doctors often use these tubes for children who frequently get ear infections or have fluid in their inner ear that will not go away. The tubes usually stay in place for 6 to 18 months and often fall out by themselves as the ear heals.

Although having ear tubes inserted is a surgical procedure, it is a safe and simple procedure. Precautions need to be taken after the surgery to make sure that the person doesn’t develop an infection or have severe ear pain. Medicine, such as antibiotic drops, is usually prescribed after surgery. These drops are placed into the ear to help prevent an infection. However, other types of medicine drops should not be used while ear tubes are in place. Some doctors or other healthcare providers may not know this and prescribe ear drops, which is what happened in a case that was reported to us.

A child was complaining of ear pain, so their mother took them to an outpatient clinic for a checkup. The child had ear tubes put in a few months earlier. The clinic doctor examined the child and saw there was excessive ear wax in the child’s ears. The doctor told the mom to buy over-the-counter Debrox (carbamide peroxide), ear wax removal drops, and to follow the instructions on the carton. Later that day, the mom put the ear wax removal drops in the child’s ear. The child began to scream in pain.

Ear wax removal drops release hydrogen peroxide that breaks down the wax so it can be removed from the ear. However, because the child had ear tubes, the drops passed through the tubes and got into the inner ear. The release of hydrogen peroxide irritated the inner ear causing severe pain.

Some healthcare professionals may not be familiar with how ear tubes work and what precautions should be taken while they are in place. If there was a lot of ear wax, the doctor may not be able to see the eardrum where the ear tube would be placed. In addition, they may not know that the person has ear tubes if it was not noted in their medical records, or if the person or family member did not tell them.

As a side note, Debrox also makes two other over-the-counter products, Debrox Kids and Debrox Swimmer’s Ear, which are different from the ear wax removal product. These products contain isopropyl alcohol which helps to dry water that may be blocking the ear. If you or your child has ear tubes, these products should not be used because they can also pass through the ear tube causing pain and irritation.

Here’s what you can do: Consider the following recommendations to prevent errors when ear tubes are in place.

• Always tell your doctor, nurse, and pharmacist if you or your child has ear tubes. Make sure they know about it and write it down in the medical records.
• Ask your doctor to look for ear tubes before giving any eardrops or recommending ear wax removal products.
• Do not use over-the-counter ear wax removal products, like Debrox, Debrox Kids, or Debrox Swimmer’s Ear, if ear tubes are in place. These can cause severe pain and damage your ear.
• If you think there is too much ear wax, see an ear doctor (otolaryngologist) who knows how to safely help people with ear tubes.
• If you or your child needs ear tubes, follow the doctor’s instructions after surgery. Use only the antibiotic drops the doctor prescribes, and do not use other ear medicines unless the doctor says it is okay.
• Teach your family and caregivers about ear tube safety so everyone knows what products are safe to use.
• Remind doctors and nurses to ask about surgery and check medical records for ear tubes, especially if they cannot see the eardrum because of ear wax.

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