It is very difficult to put eardrops into your own ears – it’s a good idea to ask someone else to help.

Steps to follow:

• wash your hands
• lie the person on their side
• clean around the ear canal opening if there is discharge visible
• gently pull back the ear to open the ear canal
• drip the right number of drops into the open ear canal – being very careful not to touch anything with the dropper bottle top as this can infect the bottle
• gently pump the Tragus (the bump in the middle of the ear) to move the drops deeper into the ear
• if there is a grommet or perforation the patient may taste the drops as they go down the Eustachian Tube – have some juice or a lollie handy
• lie still for 5-10 min, repeat for the other ear if needed

Remember:

• only a dry ear will heal
• keep water and soap/shampoo out
• use blu-tak ear shields when bathing or showering
• regular gentle nose blowing will help ‘wash’ out infection if there is a grommet or perforation
• when an ear canal is discharging protect the outer ear from becoming infected by using a good skin ointment
• never use cotton buds to clean an ear – they only push debris further in