Q My 3 1/2-year-old son has been complaining of ear ache. The paediatrician and a GP we consulted told us to continue giving him Waxsol.

The bottle of Waxsol is almost used up but the pain and ringing persist. The wax in his ears is the size of a pea and he keeps complaining of 'loudness' in his ears. He refuses to let us or the doctors clean his ears.

Can he be given anaesthesia so that the doctor can take out the ear wax?

A The doctors are right to give him Waxsol. If he is cooperative and if enough Waxsol is given, we can remove the wax at the clinic.

We can also put him under general anaesthesia for the procedure but it is mostly unnecessary. Softening the wax with Waxsol does help relieve the pain.

You should take him to see an ear, nose and throat specialist before deciding on your next step.

This article was first published in Mind Your Body, The Straits Times on July 30, 2008.