How long does ear drop solution usually stay in the ear?

Under normal circumstances, the duration for which ear drops should remain in the ear depends on the type of medication and the specific condition being treated. Typically, anti-inflammatory ear drops should remain in the ear for 5–10 minutes, while drops used to soften earwax require a longer duration. The exact time should be determined according to medical advice. Details are as follows:

Anti-inflammatory ear drops used to treat conditions such as otitis media or external otitis should remain in the ear long enough to fully contact the ear canal mucosa and exert their therapeutic effect—typically 5–10 minutes. When administering the drops, lie on your side with the affected ear facing upward. Maintain this position after instillation to ensure even distribution of the medication over the affected area. If the duration is too short, the treatment efficacy may be reduced; if too long, it may increase discomfort in the ear canal.

For softening ear drops used to treat cerumen impaction, such as sodium bicarbonate ear drops, a longer dwell time is required to dissolve hardened earwax. It is generally recommended to remain lying on the side for 10–15 minutes after instillation. In some cases, multiple daily applications over several consecutive days are needed before the ear canal can be safely cleaned. The recommended dwell time should not be shortened arbitrarily, as this could impair the softening effect.

Prior to administering ear drops, clean the outer ear opening to prevent contamination of the solution. The temperature of the drops should be close to body temperature to avoid stimulating the ear canal and causing dizziness. After administration, gently press the tragus several times to help distribute the medication.