Earwax removal &
Ear health check
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.
Earwax Removal: in store. £55.
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. Our gentle and effective earwax removal is performed by a qualified audiologist using the latest techniques.
Our Earwax Removal service is conducted by an experienced audiologist, ensuring a safe and effective removal process. We prioritize gentle care for your ear health, making sure you feel comfortable and well-informed throughout the procedure.
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.
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.
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.
When to consult a GP
Seek medical advice 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.
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.
Preparing for earwax removal
Before booking your appointment, consider using ear drops for 2-3 days beforehand if you have hard wax.
This softens the wax and enhances the effectiveness of the removal process. Note that not everyone requires wax softening—it depends on individual wax characteristics.
Home visit: Earwax Removal £89
Earwax removal
Microsuction:
icrosuction is an advanced technique for ear wax removal. Unlike ear candling, syringing, or irrigation, microsuction carries a significantly lower risk of damaging your eardrum. This is because the procedure is performed under direct vision and does not involve the use of liquids under high pressure. This ensures a safer and more comfortable experience for the patient.
During microsuction, the audiologist meticulously inserts a very thin suction tube into the ear canal, connected to a suction machine, ensuring a thorough removal process.
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.
Gentle irrigation
We find ear irrigation very effective with runny wax. 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 different, in that I can still see what I'm doing inserting the water into your ear, which makes it safer.
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.
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.
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 two 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.
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.
Services
“After my appointment at Ears2hear, I immediately noticed a significant improvement in my hearing. The audiologist was incredibly professional and made the whole process comfortable.”
John Smith