I used to take great delight in ear syringing- one of the few times I got to cure a patient- instantly!
As my learned friend suggests, it should be a last resort, persist with softeners, and be patient.
If syringing is to be performed, chill-it's relatively safe, the biggest cause of us getting sued is when we don't screw on the tip properly, resulting in a painful perforated ear drum!-I believe the modern machines are a lot safer.
Otomize isn't a softener, its an steroid/antibiotic, used for treating infection of the outer canal. (otitis externa)-medically, its a contradiction in terms , but it seems to work well.
Avoid ear candles.