Earwax removal information
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Trust Our Experienced Diagnostic Audiologists for Pain-Free Earwax Removal
With years of expertise we guarantee a safe and comfortable experience that prioritizes your ear health.
By preparing your ears, using some oil in your ears before the appointment, you can have a pain free earwax removal.
Our gentle and effective earwax removal is performed by a qualified audiologist using the latest techniques.
We prioritize gentle care for your ear health, making sure you feel comfortable and well-informed throughout the procedure.
What is earwax?
Earwax is a natural accumulation of dead cells, hair, dust, and wax produced by glands in the ear canal. It forms a protective coating that helps prevent infections.
Earwax is a natural substance that protects the ear canal from bacteria and debris, reducing the risk of infections.
Produced by glands in the ear canal, earwax can range in color from yellow to bright orange to dark brown, or black.
Normally, the body produces enough earwax to maintain ear health. However, when earwax becomes hard and impacted, it can lead to issues such as hearing loss or discomfort.
Why wax build up
Earwax production varies among individuals and can be influenced by factors such as using cotton buds, having a narrow or hairy ear canal, frequent use of earphones, earplugs, or hearing aids, natural production of excessive or hard/dry wax, age-related changes, and bony growths in the ear canal.
Consequences of excessive earwax
Excessive earwax can lead to pain, tinnitus, infections, and hearing loss due to blockages.
Signs you may need earwax removal
Symptoms such as ear fullness, earache, hearing loss, tinnitus, itchiness, dizziness, or ear infections may improve with earwax removal. However, these symptoms can also stem from other issues besides earwax.
When to see your GP
Book in to see your GP if you have experienced ear pain unrelated to wax, ear infections with discharge in the last 90 days, current or recurrent ear infections, past ear-related surgeries, or sudden hearing loss not related to wax.
What Are The Different Types Of Ear Wax Removal?
There are many different types of ear wax removal with some being much more effective and safer than others.
Below we will discuss each of these methods:
Natural
Our ears are usually very good at cleaning themselves.
When you find bits of ear wax in the outer opening of your ear this is actually the ear removing the ear wax by itself.
When this happens we can simply remove it by using a cloth or rinsing the ear wax away in the shower.
However sometimes our ears can produce too much ear wax and it ends up creating a blockage, when this happens help is needed to remove the excess.
Ear Wax Removal Methods To Avoid
Cotton Buds
Many people use cotton buds to remove excess ear wax, but you push more ear wax further into the ear canal leading to a blockage.
This method also runs the risk of damaging the eardrum if the cotton bud is pushing in too far.
Candling
Ear candling involves placing a hollow cone candle in your ear whilst the other end is lit.
The claim is that suction is created from lighting the candle and thus the ear wax is pulled out from the inner ear.
This however is not true and many scientific studies have shown this is dangerous, with the risk of causing damage to your ears and the potential for serious burns.
Ear Syringing
Often mistaken for ear irrigation, this method was used by nurses in surgeries.
Complications possible from ear syringing include perforation of the eardrum, otitis external, pain, vertigo and also tinnitus.
Preparing for your appointment
To enhance comfort during the removal process, we recommend using oil for 2-3 days prior to your appointment. (More details are available in the tab on how to administer oil.)
Follow up appointment
If your ears are not adequately prepared,or if the wax is too hard to safely remove during the initial visit, we may advise using additional oil for a few days. We provide follow-up earwax removal appointments to ensure the best results.
Please note, a charge may apply for follow-up appointments.
Safe Ear Wax Removal Methods
Microsuction
If you prepare your earwax with oil for 2-3 days, microsuction can be comfortable, effective and the safest way to remove ear wax.
Skilled clinicians use a suction device to draw the wax out from the ear and unlike ear irrigation, no water is required, meaning no mess.
Ear irrigation
We find ear irrigation very effective with runny wax, or stubborn wax ( to soak it in warm distilled water).
We might use suction and the 'flush out' the rest using irrigation, if you overused oil and it left you with a smear of wax over the ear canal and ear drum.
Ear irrigation is highly effective for clearing earwax plugs, but it’s only safe if the wax is properly softened. Rushing the process with hard, stubborn wax can lead to serious complications, like a perforated eardrum. That's why it's crucial to use ear drops (such as olive oil ear drops) before scheduling your irrigation.
Starting on the lowest pressure the audiologist will begin to gently disturb and break up the ear wax by squirting the controlled stream into your ear canal.
What makes it different, is that the audiologist can still see what they are doing and control the pressure, and the water stream.
Ear irrigation may not be advised if you have certain ear problems. In particular, if you:
Have had complications following this procedure in the past.
Currently have grommets in place (grommets are small plastic tubes placed in the eardrums in an operation).
Have had ear surgery in the past (apart from grommets that have come out at least 18 months previously and you have been discharged from the hospital ear department).
Have a cleft palate (even if it has been repaired).
Have an ear infection or have had an ear infection in the previous six weeks.
Have recurring infections of the ear canal (recurring otitis externa).
Have, or have had, a burst (perforated) ear drum
If you have a blocked ear or have developed sudden hearing loss book in to see one of our expert audiologists today. We will check your ear for any issues and if ear wax is found we will use microsuction ear wax removal to remove the excess ear wax.
Manual removal
Manual ear wax removal involves the use of a long, thin instrument that is carefully and gently used to dislodge and remove wax from your ear.
This method is typically suitable for removing small amounts of wax that have built up near the entrance of your ear canal.
If you have a blocked ear or have developed sudden hearing loss book in to see one of our expert audiologists today. We will check your ear for any issues and if ear wax is found we will use microsuction ear wax removal to remove the excess ear wax
Earhealth check: £25
If you're unsure about having ear wax, it's better to schedule an ear health check.
This quick and effective procedure can determine if you need a referral for ear wax removal.
Services
Earwax Removal: in store. £55.
Please note that all online payment are subject to small processing fee.
Home visit: Earwax Removal £89
Earwax removal
What are the risks
The clinician performing the procedure is trained and certified as a competent ear wax removal specialist.
Using a suction machine and suction handle for wax removal carries some risks, but these are minimized because the procedure allows for direct visualization of the ear canal.
The main risk is the noise produced by the suction machine when wax is dislodged or when skin is sucked into the machine, which can be loud and may cause temporary hearing changes or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). We have a comprehensive list of all potential, rare, and uncommon risks and side effects available at our facility.
Another risk is minor skin tears if the skin breaks off during the procedure. Every effort is made to minimize this risk.
If you experience any symptoms after the procedure, such as increased discomfort or changes in hearing, it's advisable to consult your GP or an audiologist for further evaluation.
We recommend avoiding hearing tests for 24 hours after a procedure involving noisy wax removal to allow for any temporary hearing changes to settle.
What can you expect at your appointment?
We are fully qualified audiologists trained to safely remove ear wax using one of three methods.
Regardless of the method chosen, we always prioritize safety and select the most suitable approach for your ear.
The method chosen will depend on the extent of wax buildup, any pre-existing ear conditions, and whether you used ear softening oil prior to your appointment.
Your wax removal appointment will typically last around 30 minutes, so please arrive punctually.
Before proceeding with the removal, you'll be asked to read and sign a consent form.
We will begin by examining your ears to confirm the presence of earwax.
Based on your health questionnaire, we will assess whether microsuction is suitable for you.
We will then explain the procedure, show you the equipment to be used, and clarify how it works.
Once you are comfortable to proceed, our audiologist will use a magnifier on a head loupe and a suction tube to gently remove any wax present in your ear.
Sometimes, if there is stubborn wax, or the wax is too runny, we might use gentle irrigation where warm water will be used to flush out the ears.
Following the procedure, our clinician will assess the overall health of your ears and document their findings.
Our goal is to remove excessive wax, skin, and debris. Any residual wax smear deemed harmless will be left untouched.
If we are unable to remove all excessive wax during the appointment, we will provide guidance on the next steps.