The ear canal naturally produces ear wax, which serves to keep the ear canal clean. It only becomes a problem when excessive wax leads to symptoms like pain, ringing in the ears and hearing loss. Ear wax removal should only be attempted by trained professionals under direct vision. Avoid using at-home methods such as ear drops (like Debrox) or a bulb syringe.
1. Hearing Loss
Ear wax is essential to maintain healthy ears but excessive earwax can lead to symptoms like hearing loss, a feeling of fullness in the ears and itching. If you’re experiencing any of these, then a Ear wax removal Staffordshire procedure is the best way to remove your earwax.
Unlike syringing, there’s no need for the ear to be softened with ear drops before a microsuction treatment. It’s a clean and hygienic process that uses a tube with a suction end. This makes it a safe option for people with perforated eardrums and other ear conditions.
2. Ringing in the Ear
If you experience ringing in the ear, it could be a sign of impacted ear wax. It is important to recognise the symptoms and get it checked out.
Unlike ear syringing or irrigation, our audiologist will use either an endoscope with a light attached or a microscope to directly visualise the ear wax. This allows them to find the blockage and suck it out safely.
This can sometimes cause temporary short-lived hearing loss, or a change in tinnitus (ringing noise) but this is very rare. It also avoids the need for ear drops beforehand.
3. Itching
Ear wax removal using micro suction is a safe and quick process. It doesn’t use water which reduces any chance of injury to the ear canal or ear drum.
An audiologist will examine your ears using a microscope or otoscope and then use a small suction device to remove any ear wax. The procedure is painless and only takes a few minutes.
Never try to clear your ears by yourself with cotton buds or other implements. They can push wax deeper into the ear canal and cause serious damage over time.
4. Swimmer’s Ear
Ear wax is a natural product that helps to coat, protect and lubricate the ear canal. It is important that we do not try to remove it by putting something in the ear canal, such as a cotton swab.
Instead, if your child is prone to earwax build-up, try using an over the counter ear wash that contains oil (we recommend Debrox) or irrigate it with water (squirt lukewarm water into ear canal with a rubber bulb syringe). Be sure to have a parent or guardian do this and never use an irrigation device for children under age 6. It can cause dizziness.
5. Clogged Canals
The ear canal has a natural self-cleaning system that produces a lubricant to protect the skin in the ear. It also has water-proofing and germ-killing properties. Attempting to clean the ears with cotton swabs pushes the wax deeper into the ear and can lead to blockage.
When the ear is blocked, it can cause problems like a feeling of fullness in the ears, ringing or pain. Unlike syringe or irrigation, which flush the ear canal blindly, microsuction can visually monitor the ear canal and debris at all times.
6. Stubborn Wax
Most earwax is dealt with by the body’s natural processes. In fact, an experiment where a dot of ink is put into the ear canal and then monitored shows that the ear automatically deals with it, explains an otolaryngologist.
Putting anything into the ear canal can disrupt this process, including cotton-tipped applicators like q-tips. They can also push earwax deeper into the ear canal, creating blockages. This is why it’s so important to avoid them! Try using ear irrigation instead. It’s easy and painless! It’s also much safer than removing wax manually.
7. Damaged Ear Canal
Ear wax is a natural defence mechanism for your ears that prevents damage and keeps them healthy. However, impacted earwax can lead to complications like pain and dizziness.
If you have a perforated ear drum, don’t use cotton buds to clean your ears. This can cause serious damage, including a hole in your eardrum.
Microsuction is a safe way to remove impacted earwax without damaging your ear canal. It is much safer and quicker than syringe or irrigation. It is also more effective when the wax is pre-softened.
8. Infections
Ear wax is a good thing and cleaning it on a regular basis is important for overall ear health. But putting anything smaller than your elbow in the ear canal, such as cotton swabs or pen lids, pushes the wax deeper into the ear and can cause infection.
An ear, nose and throat doctor can remove the wax using an otoscope or examining microscope (used by doctors who specialize in ears). Avoid ear irrigation kits that blast water into the ear canal — it’s dangerous. A squirt of lukewarm water may help dislodge a small blockage.
9. A Perforated Ear Drum
Ear wax is important for a healthy ear canal, but large build-ups can cause impacted earwax. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including a dull or full feeling in the ear and a loss of hearing.
In most cases, impacted earwax can be removed safely with microsuction. However, it is essential that the ear wax is pre-softened before your appointment.
This can be done at home by placing a few drops of olive oil, baby oil or saline solution (Debrox Ear Wax Removal Kit) into the ear. Then, tilt your head to the side and allow it to drain.
10. Inflammation
Although ear wax usually falls out naturally, in some cases it can build up to a point where it causes a blockage. This can lead to a variety of symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus and pain in the ear canal.
Conclusion
Unlike ear syringe and irrigation, with micro suction there is no water flushed into the ear canal so it is a much safer procedure. This reduces the risk of infection and accidental damage to the ear canal or ear drum.Some people may experience a short period of dizziness during or shortly after microsuction but this should quickly pass.
