Ear Wax - Cerumen
What is ear wax?
A waxy substance found in your ears. Glands in your ear canal produce earwax to naturally protect your ear canal and the skin inside your ears from germs. Earwax is a natural moisturiser and protects your ear canal from dust, germs, irritation and even insects.
Most people don’t need to remove their earwax as our ears are ‘self cleaning’. Earwax moves from part way down the canal to the outside of your ear naturally.
What does ear wax do?
Earwax has many purposes:
- Acts as a waterproof lining for your ear canal
- Carries dead skin cells and other debris out of your ears
- Traps dirt and dust
- Prevents your ears from drying out
- Protects against bacterial and fungal infections
How do I know if I have a build up of wax ?
Earwax can cause problems in one or both ears:
- Muffled hearing
- Tinnitus (hearing added noises, like rustling, buzzing)
- Earache, itching or discomfort
It’s important to be sure that any symptoms you have are caused by earwax and not an infection or other problem, as this service is designed for those suffering with excessive earwax.
People who commonly need ear wax removal are:
- Use in ear headphones
- Use hearing aids
- Cotton bud users
- Use ear plugs regularly
If this is the first time you’re experiencing these symptoms, you have other symptoms or you’re just not sure, you should first see a GP to check you need this service.
What is Micro-Suction?
Micro-suction is one of the best ways to remove earwax. Once our trained advisers have assessed your ear canal, they’ll use a gentle suction device to remove any earwax blockages.
This suction device acts like a vacuum cleaner, helping to loosen and remove any impacted earwax. Once the procedure is over, we’ll use a microscope to check over your ears.
Previously, using an ear syringe with water was a common way to get rid of earwax, however micro-suction is a quick and much safer method.
What is Electronic Irrigation?
Ear irrigation with an electronic irrigator flushes the wax out with water at a low pressure: it's much safer and more effective than previous syringing methods because it maintains a set pressure as it pumps the water into your ear.
Irrigation is not always needed, we use it in conjunction with our specialist micro-suction techniques to remove those tougher blockages.
Irrigation will not be used if you have certain conditions such as such as a perforated eardrum.
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