Patients can find it tricky to use ear drops so recommend the following steps:

1. Get the patient to sit or lie down with their head tilted so the ear being treated is uppermost. In the case of children, it may work better if they sit or lie on the lap of a parent or carer
2. Wipe the ear with a damp cloth and then dry it thoroughly
3. If the patient is a young child, pull the ear lobe gently out and down to open up the ear canal. For older children and adults, pull the lobe out and upwards
4. Administer the required number of drops or sprays then massage the tragus over the ear to encourage the liquid to run into the ear canal. The patient should remain in the same position for a minute or so. Being able to taste the drops indicates that they have gone where they need to
5. If a dose is needed in the other ear, repeat the procedure.