Diagnosis
We can tell whether you have a blocked ear by looking in your ears with an instrument called an otoscope. If a build-up of ear wax, debris or a foreign body is blocking your ear causing hearing loss, tinnitus, discomfort or dizziness we can remove it for you. We would always recommend having ear wax removed by a professional.
Why have your ears cleaned professionally?
Do not mess around with your ear canal. Both it and your eardrum are extremely sensitive. If you damage either or both, there may be long-term consequences for your hearing. Leave earwax removal to a qualified specialist who can see what he or she is doing. Professional earwax removal ensures that there is the least chance possible for something to go wrong.
Safety is paramount and the procedure should always be comfortable and pain free and should be performed by qualified and registered experienced ear care professionals; an audiologist, nurse or medical professional who are fully trained in wax removal methods and who are registered with the HCPC, RCCP, NMC or GMC. Our clinician is registered with the HCPC.
Audiologist
What does it cost?
Can't I just go to the doctor?
Why ear wax syringing is not offered at most GP surgeries!
People suffering from a build-up of ear wax are not necessarily entitled to have their ears syringed on the NHS in England. Removal of ear wax is no longer on the list of core services surgeries must offer.
Ear wax removal methods
Micro-suction
Low pressure irrigation
Low pressure irrigation
Micro suction is the most modern, advanced, safest, and pain-free form of ear wax removal. It is carried out with a specialist pump that gently sucks the earwax out of the ear. The procedure is undertaken using special microscope glasses. This allows the professional to clearly see exactly what they are doing makeing it the safest and most comfortable method of earwax removal. No liquids are used during the procedure which significantly reduces the risk of damage to the eardrum and infection.
Unlike ear syringing and ear irrigation, micro suction wax removal can be performed in people who have a perforated eardrum or grommet, mastoid cavity or cleft palate.
Low pressure irrigation
Low pressure irrigation
Low pressure irrigation
Low-pressure irrigation is often used if there is deep lying wax that cannot be removed by other methods. The procedure is undertaken with either a manual or electronic spray type ear wash. The stream is aimed at the walls of the ear canal avoiding the ear drum.
Please note: not everyone is suitable for earwax removal by irrigation. Ear irrigation is not appropriate if you:
- have a perforated eardrum
- have a discharge of mucus from your ear or have had an ear infection in the preceding two months.
- have recurring or persistent infections of the ear canal.
- have had any ear surgery or had a middle ear infection (otitis media) in the past six weeks.
Manual removal
Low pressure irrigation
Manual removal
Manual removal of earwax is also effective. Using special miniature instruments and a microscope to magnify the ear canal. Manual removal is sometimes preferred if your ear canal is narrow, the eardrum has a perforation or tube, other methods have failed, or if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Side effects of wax removal
Professional ear wax removal is a safe and effective method for removing excess ear wax, but you may notice some temporary changes to your ears – especially if the wax has been building up for some time. The most common of these changes include:
- Your ears feel cold
- Greater sound sensitivity
- Dizziness and/or disorientation
- Your ear throbbing or feeling sore
- Tinnitus
The majority of these side effects usually pass within 24 hours as your body adjusts. If there is any throbbing or soreness, we recommend that you keep your ears dry for 24 hours. You can do this by placing a ball of cotton wool coated in Vaseline at the opening of your ear canal. Remember, though, that pushing anything further down inside your ear canal could cause damage.
Not recommended
Cotton buds/Q-Tips
Cotton buds/Q-Tips
Cotton buds/Q-Tips
Also (wrongly) known as ear buds. These are a definite NO NO!
Doctors and hearing care specialists have seen many catastrophes resulting from using cotton buds. They only serve to push whatever is in your ear further down the ear canal and possibly onto the ear drum which, at best, makes an ear wax situation worse, and, could lead to an ear drum perforation and permanent hearing loss.
Ear candles
Cotton buds/Q-Tips
Cotton buds/Q-Tips
Often known as Hopi Candles, the basic claim is that the heat from the flame melts and loosens the ear wax and creates negative pressure that 'sucks' the wax into the candle.
Research shows the claims made for these candles are just outlandish and they have no basis in scientific fact.
Use of them can result in serious injury.
Syringing
Cotton buds/Q-Tips
Syringing
Ear syringing is an old out-of-date method of removing earwax. it is no longer undertaken as the process proved to have too many problems and caused too many complications. If you have had a bad experience with syringing in the past you can be assured that microsuction and irrigation are much more comfortable.
