Equipment for Cerumen Removal For both irrigation and manual removal Otoscope or light source and aural speculum Cerumenolytic agent (eg, over-the-counter docusate sodium, 5 to 10% sodium bicarbonate, 3% hydrogen peroxide, 6.5% carbamide peroxide, triethanolamine, olive oil) For irrigation Emesis basin Absorbent pad, towel, or barrier drape A 16 -, 18 -, or 19-gauge catheter with several cm of tubing (eg, plastic angiocatheter or butterfly catheter with the needle removed) 30 - to 60-mL syringe Irrigation solution: Sterile water or saline at body temperature or slightly higher Sometimes, isopropyl alcohol, fluoroquinolone ear drops For manual removal Open procedural otoscope Blunt, flexible plastic loop or cerumen curette, small right-angle hook, alligator forceps Suction with thumb control tip (eg, Baron) size 5 Fr Additional Considerations for Cerumen Removal Patients who are asymptomatic should not have cerumen removed.