Ear Wax Removal

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Some people however produce excessive wax. For these people the wax accumulates but does not migrate out, and the ears get blocked.

This could be because of:

• Genetics
• Working in dusty environments e.g. construction
• Wearing hearing aids or ear plugs for work all day
• Using cotton buds (this pushes the wax further in your ears and stops the migration process)
• Narrow or damaged ears
• Hairy ears
• Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can lead to debris building up in ears. 

Symptoms of excessive earwax:· 

• Hearing problems
• Dizziness
• Tinnitus
• Earache
• Itchy ears 

•   We do not recommend using Hopi candles to remove wax as research has shown this does not work and can lead to wax being pushed further down the canal. There is also risk of burns and infections. 
• Olive oil – this is a natural ingredient so there is no harm is using it, especially with young children. Olive oil helps to not only soften wax but also moisturises the ear so it is great for itchy ears. 
• Sodium bicarbonate drops is best for hard, impacted wax that is painful. Sodium bicarbonate helps to break down wax and should be used short term to help soften wax so your healthcare professional can remove it. 

If you are worried about ear wax blocking your ear, book an appointment with an Audiologist today. Or you can call us on 01908 893216 to discuss this with us. 

 Microsuction:

This is the most hygienic way of removing wax from your ears. It is quick and effective. Once the Audiologist has examined your ear, we use a suction device (similar to that used by ENT departments) to remove the wax. Below is a picture of the machine we use at Dizzy Ears. 

Advantages of using Microsuction: 

• Safer and more hygienic
• We use microscopes to look in the ears and can therefore perform the procedure more accurately. 
• Better for hard wax in the ear canal
• Quicker, can take as little as 10 minutes to perform the procedure (depending on how much wax you have in ears). 

Disadvantages of using Microsuction:

• You need to keep your head still for the procedure. Not suitable for people with Parkinson’s, Dementia or very young children. 
• Machine is quite loud and noisy

Irrigation (also known as syringing) - 

This was the usual method used by GPs. 

Advantages of Irrigation:

• Better for soft sticky wax that is attached to skin of canal
• Better for people with learning difficulties or young children that cannot keep their head still for long periods

Disadvantages of irrigation:

• Might make you feel dizzy temporarily
• Higher risk of ear infections due to using water
• We are unable to look in the ears when performing the procedure 
• Can take upto 30 minutes to perform the procedure. 

1. Before the appointment you will be asked to use olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops regularly twice a day for at least a week before you come to the appointment. 

Sometimes using drops can make your ears feel blocked and fuller. This is normal because it means the wax is absorbing the oil and it will make it easier for us to remove the wax. 

2. You will be asked some health questions and will be asked to sign a consent form. A copy is available here: 

3. Your ears will be examined first with a light

Depending on the type of wax you have and how severe the blockage is, we will advise either microsuction or irrigation to remove the wax. 

We will show you how we perform the procedure

4. We will perform the procedure 

Once the procedure is complete we will check your ears to ensure your ears drums are healthy. 

5. If there are any further problems, we can write a report for you to give to your GP for example if we see sings of infection, hearing loss or congestion. 

Sometimes it can take more then one session to remove the wax, especially if the wax is very hard and impacted. We may ask you to use more drops for a couple of weeks before repeating the procedure. We do offer a follow-up free of charge. 

• If you have your ears syringed or irrigated, you may feel dizzy afterwards, so please don’t drive until you feel better. This is unlikely to happen after microsuction.  
• Continue to use ear drops on a regular basis, once or twice a week to help keep the wax soft and avoid further build-up. Your Audiologist will tell you how often you need to do this.  
• Avoid using products with “hydrogen peroxide” as the ingredient. It is preferable to use olive oil as you cant go wrong it and can use as much as you like. 
• Olive oil is a really good moisturiser and helps with itchy ears as well.
• Avoid using Cotton Beds  
• If you continue to feel like your hearing is muffled afterwards, you may want to get a hearing test to check your underlying hearing.  You can book a hearing test with us here 
• Your Audiologist will tell you if you need to be seen on a regular basis, usually people get their ears checked every 12 months for wax.