Since I was a child, I've always suffered with wax build up in my ear canals. Not the most pleasant way to start a review, but there you have it. I actually had tests carried out when I was in lower school, to make sure it wasn't being caused by any underlying cause, but it turned out to be "one of those things", and after having my ears syringed a couple of times as a youngster, I have tried to avoid the horrible experience ever since by keeping on top of my ears so to speak.

Earex helps to soften the wax which can sometimes build up in the ear canal, making it easier to hear, and also eliminating any pain that excess wax can cause. It does this because it contains almond oil, arachis oil (peanut oil) and camphor oil. For this reason, you should not use this product if you have a nut allergy. A 10ml bottle will cost between £3 to £4.

The drops come in a little bottle, with a pipette contained in the lid. This makes it easy to administer the ear drops, although you will probably need someone else to do it for you for full accuracy. Otherwise you tend to end up with the drops dribbling down the side of your face! It's much easier to get someone else to administer the drops. They feel very cold when they first make contact in your ear, but this is normal.

The drops are best used at night time, because once you've used them you won't be able to hear properly for a while, and it's better to lie with your head on the side which doesn't contain the ear drops, to ensure they're getting to work. I tend to use them on one ear at a time, otherwise you won't be able to hear anything and the drops can start seeping out of the ear if you sit upright. The best way is to do one ear, lie down for a bit, and then do the other ear the following night. The muffled hearing just feels like you're under water or something, it isn't painful but can be uncomfortable, so bear this in mind if you need to go anywhere or do anything after using them, as they aren't the most convenient of products.

The ear drops do work for me, and have made my ears much better so I have thankfully avoided the syringe experience in later life. I am also less prone to wax build up these days, so I only need to use these drops very occasionally, which is handy as they only have a shelf life of 8 weeks after opening, and I don't like taking risks with things I'm putting in my ear!

I would recommend these ear drops if you're having trouble hearing due to build up of wax. They're a safe option as they don't have any reported side effects, and are safe to use in pregnancy. The only caution given is that they shouldn't be used if you're allergic to peanuts or soya.

(Review may also appear on Ciao under the username Gingerkitty)