You may have used ear drops if you get water in your ears while swimming or if you had a buildup of wax in your ear canal. They can be used to relieve ear discomfort, ear wax buildup (also known as cerumen), and ear infections including swimmer’s ear. They are also available without a doctor’s prescription or over the counter (OTC). There are a number of potential causes of ear discomfort, including infections, injuries, and ill-fitting hearing aids. Ear wax usually does not result in discomfort.
In most cases, however, discomfort or pain in the ear is caused or transferred from another area, most commonly through throat or jaw joint. Numbing drops for the ear canal should be avoided.