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Article History

Received: 7 April 2025

Accepted: 6 December 2025

First Online: 18 December 2025

Declarations

:

: London – Riverside Research Ethics Committee 24/LO/0420 gave a favourable ethical opinion for this trial on 15 July 2024, and the Health Research Authority and Health and Care Research Wales approvals are in place (Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) 316799). Presumed consent is in place for this research since patients will be directed to use one of two standard methods for softening ear wax (drops or sprays). However, patients may opt out of their data being used for research purposes by requesting this from the audiology practitioner at their clinical appointment. Written informed consent will be received from a select number of patients where a video otoscope image is taken for verification of visualisation ratings.

: Consent for publication is not applicable, as no patient data are being disclosed.

: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.