Earwax (cerumen) coats and protects the inside of your ears; it does not usually need to be removed. Removal is only necessary when youdevelop large amountsof earwax, which make your earsfeel blocked. Too much earwax can develop due to a very narrow or abnormally shaped ear canal, frequent use of earplugs, cleaning ears with cotton buds or for other unknown reasons. Often home treatment can remove earwax. If home treatment does not work, you shouldmake an appointmentto see aqualified professional.
Ear wax is only a problem when there’s too much
Ear wax is not actually a bad thing, in fact it is a protection mechanism for the ear canal. The issue only occurs when there is too much. As the ear wax builds up, it blocks the canal causing some issues with hearing. If the ear wax becomes impacted against the ear drum, it can even be painful. Typically, the first time many realise they have a problem is when they have a shower or get out of a swimming pool. Suddenly, they can’t hear out of one or both ears.
This is because ear wax is like a sponge, it soaks up the water and expands within the ear canal,completely blocking it.
Do you suffer from any of these symptoms?
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- The sensation of hearing everything muffled
- Mild tinnitus
- Sudden hearing loss after swimming or showering.
Book a hearing test appointment now
Book an AppointmentBefore you go for an ear wax removal treatment, it is important to oil your ears ideally 3-5 days before your appointment. This helps to soften the wax in preparation and make the treatment much more effective.If you have any questions, please contact us on 0800 422 0157 ahead of your appointment.
Why you should have ear wax removed professionally
It is not advised that wax is cleared by the use of cotton buds, as this very often pushes it towards the ear drum and can cause even more problems and it is difficult to remove. You should never poke anything down your ear with the view of relieving the problem yourself; the lining of the ear is very delicate and can easily be damaged. There are home removal kits available, however these need to be used carefully. Hopi ear candles just don’t work, it is a sham. Leave it to one of ourregistered clinical specialiststo remove the wax for you.
Irrigation Ear Wax Removal
We offer a safe and gentle ear wax removal serviceby our professional clinical wax care specialists. We use the irrigation method for people who are more comfortable with it. We use a spray type ear wash machine, which is commonly used in the medical setting. The irrigation solution is carefully warmed to body temperature, as dizziness can be a common side effect of ear washing or syringing with solutions that are colder or warmer than body temperature. Any other temperature may cause temporary vertigo.
We use the spray type ear washer to gently stream water into the ear. Irrigation may need to be repeated a couple of times. When the wax has been removed we use a special mopping apparatus to dry out the ear canal.
Safe, Painless Microsuction Ear Wax Removal
In addition to our established water irrigation method for ear wax removal we also provide a microsuction option to remove excess earwax. We will be happy to advise on which method will be most suitable for you and we will fully explain the pros and cons. Procedures are only carried out with your consent.
Microsuction
This process uses a fine tube connected to a suction machine and does not require water to remove the wax. The procedure is safe, comfortable and painless. We view your ear canal with the aid of a microscope which allows us to see exactly what we are doing at all times. This removal process is very thorough and is particularly suitable for smaller ear canals and for those who may have suffered problems with their ears such as ear drum perforation.
Microsuction Ear Wax removal process
The process is pretty straight forward. We will examine your ears to confirm that there is earwax present. We will then explain the procedure in detail so that you understand what will take place. You will be asked a few questions about your ear health, perforations of the eardrum and any previous experience you have had with the procedure. The earwax will be removed using the Microsuction tube. This process can take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount and position of the wax. Once the earwax is removed we will again check the ear canal to make sure it is clear and healthy.
Before you go for an ear wax removal treatment, it is important to oil your ears ideally 3-5 days before your appointment. This helps to soften the wax in preparation and make the treatment much more effective.
