Ear Care & Ear Wax Removal
Ear Wax Removal
Earwax is a natural substance that lines the inside of your ears. Glands in the outer ear produce wax, which captures dust and other small particles, protecting the eardrum from potential harm. The quantity of ear wax each person produces varies and usually leaves the ear naturally. However, an excessive build-up of ear wax can lead to problems. Furthermore, if the ear wax becomes lodged against the eardrum, it may result in discomfort or pain. When this happens, professional ear wax removal is the best way to get it treated.
Symptoms of a blocked ear can include:
- Reduced or muffled hearing
- Ear pain
- Dizziness
- Itchiness in the ear
- A full sensation, or pressure in the ear
- Sudden hearing loss
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Earache
- Ear infections
What causes ear wax build up?
Understanding the factors that contribute to the quantity of ear wax generated is crucial. Excessive build-up of ear wax occurs when the natural self-cleaning mechanism of the ear canal is disrupted. Some individuals are prone to blocked ears due to their high natural earwax production. However, it’s essential to be aware of other causes that can disrupt this balance.
Inserting objects such as ear plugs, cotton buds or even the use of hearing aids can stimulate wax production, push the wax deeper creating a blockage or just obstruct the natural transition out of the ear. The production of naturally hard or dry earwax, this is sometimes age related. Narrow, very convoluted or hairy ear canals and bony growths in the outer part of the ear canal can be a factor. Exposure to noisy (headphones) or dusty environments can contribute to the build up of excess earwax and for some people, blocked ears are a regular problem because they naturally produce a lot of earwax.
The following factors may lead or contribute to excessive amounts of wax production for some people:
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Environment – Dusty, dirty or noisy areas including headphone useage.
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Anatomy – Narrow and / or convoluted ear canals with perhaps thicker coarse hair too.
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Hearing aid users – these may block the transition of wax or if they have moulds they may stimulate the wax producing glands.
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Excessive sweat – gym users, sauna and steam room users.
- Diet
- Ageing – as we age, the natural processes slow down and wax can start to dry up.
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Genetics
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Skin condtitions – Eczema or dry skin resulting in itchy ears as this can allow more skin cells to shed and stimulate glandular activity.
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Ear habits – ear bud users and power shower washes.
Professional ear wax removal
At The Wellhead Practice we use safe and effective methods to remove excess ear wax. There are three methods which gives us all the tools to handle most scenarios and go onto achieve unobstructed ear canals for you.
Micro-suction Ear Wax Removal
Micro-suction is a safe and commonly used method for removing ear wax. The procedure involves using a low pressure suction machine with a fine tube to gently remove the wax.
Ear Irrigation
Irrigation has replaced traditional ear syringing due to its increased effectiveness and safety. During the procedure, temperature-controlled water is gently sprayed into the ear to dislodge and remove ear wax.
Instrumentation
Wax close to the entrance of the ear canal can also be removed by hand using specialised instruments.
Prior to your appointment
Preparation for all methods of wax removal:
Following the NICE guidelines* we recommend for most eligible patients they use a wax softening agent 4 to 5 days prior to the procedure. When you call for an appointment, you will be advised on this. There are different types but simple olive oil works well and it’s not at all aggressive on the ears. It can come with a dropper or in a spray format for easier application. Whilst perhaps not the most enjoyable process, good preparation improves the chances of a clean straightforward, pain free and safe wax removal process within minutes. Please note some medical conditions prohibit the use of a softening agent such as an active ear infection or an unhealed ear drum perforation. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
*The NICE guidelines are evidence based recommendations which are there to promote best practice and a gold standard for health and care in England and Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which method of wax removal is the best - micro-suction or irrigation?
The honest answer is that it depends. The method used will be directed by several factors including your medical history, the shape and contours of your ear canals, the consistency of the wax you possess and sometimes your personal preference based on previous experiences perhaps.
Both methods are valid, are still taught at the various teaching establishments and have their own subtle technical strength and weaknesses when it comes to wax removal. Having access and the use of both methods is a definite benefit and helps to ensure you get the best possible result at your appointment.
I heard irrigation isn’t really used as it’s bad to put water in the ears?
This is a myth, after all, most of us shower frequently and swim sometimes with our head underwater with no ear plugs and we generally don’t suffer regularly from problems such as ear infections. As with all medical procedures, some risks are to do with the technique or skill of the clinician. The current method taught and used is there to minimise risks during and after the procedure. After the irrigation procedure, the ear canals are always dried, and patients rarely leave with any perceivable sense of remaining water. Any leftover moisture vapour typically evaporates in the following couple of hours.
What is used more often microsuction or irrigation?
Nowadays, most wax removal practitioners will use the micro suction method over the irrigation as the default method. This is often for practicality reasons. With micro suction, it is generally a quicker process, there are fewer components and disposables that need changing with each patient and there is no need to involve the patient directly with the process. Irrigation however requires the water to be prepared to be at body temperature, there are more disposables, and the process can take a little longer. The patient also needs to hold the collecting vessel under their ear lobes and the ear canals require drying.
Why do I need to Oil?
This is to ensure the wax is soft enough to remove safely and completely. It is also deemed best practice and recommended by the National Institute of Clinical excellence (NICE) guidelines which we adhere to. Wax can be very hard sometimes and adhere to the skin lined ear canal. If the wax is too hard we often cannot remove it with either process and there is also the potential for harm to the ear canal as we attempt removal.
Which softening product is best?
Our preference is simple everyday Olive oil. It does not need to be of ‘medical grade’ per se. To make life easier, we suggest patients use either a product that comes with a dropper or a spray dispenser to guide the oil into the ear canal. This is especially so if patients have to apply the oil by themself.
It didn’t work! My ears are still blocked.
There is a suggestion that adding a softening agent (such as olive oil) will allow the wax to simply fall out. In my experience, this rarely happens. At most, it allows movement of the wax plug that may improve the hearing temporarily as space is created for the sound to pass through to the ear drum. This often reverses after sleeping on it.
Arrange Your Consultation
Contact us to arrange your appointment with one of our clinicians to see how we can help you.