Contraindications to Cerumen Removal Absolute contraindications Irrigation and / or use of cerumenolytic agents are contraindicated if the patient has a non-intact tympanic membrane, which should be suspected if patients have history of mastoid surgery, history of ear tubes and it is unknown whether the tympanic membrane defect has completely healed, history of ear drainage, and / or history of ear pain when water gets in the ear Anticoagulant therapy Immunocompromised state Diabetes mellitus Prior radiation therapy to the head and neck Ear canal stenosis, or exostoses Cerumenolytics are contraindicated if there is allergy to the agent.