Ear Wax Removal

What is earwax?

Earwax is a naturally occurring substance produced by the glands in your ear canal. Its purpose is to clean and protect your ear canal by trapping dirt, dust and moisture.

The ears are designed to be self-cleaning. When you talk and chew the movement of the jaw will help bring out any collected debris, as new wax is produced further down inside your ear canal. Therefore, you should never push anything inside your ear canal, otherwise you are working against natures process.

Symptoms of excessive earwax can include the following:

Earache or discomfort
A feeling of moisture or fullness
Temporary hearing loss
Tinnitus (usually a ringing or buzzing sound)

If untreated, excessive earwax becomes very hard and much more difficult to remove, therefore you should start treatment as soon as possible.

Micro suction involves gently sucking excessive earwax out of the ear canal using a fine tube connected to a suction unit. You would need to use olive oil for 2-3 days to soften the wax prior to treatment.

Irrigation (syringing) uses a controlled flow of tepid water to flush the wax out of the ear canal. You would need to use olive oil for 2-3 days prior to treatment.

Treating earwax blockages

It is advisable to use warm olive oil at near body temperature.

Buy a small bottle with a dropper from your local chemist.
Lie of your side, with the affected ear uppermost.
Pull the ear gently backwards and upwards to straighten out the ear canal.
Put 2-3 drops of olive oil into the affected ear(s) and gently massage the front of the ear(s).
Stay on your side for 10-15 minutes.
Repeat twice a day for a few days until the wax is dispersed.
Particularly hard wax can also be treated with Sodium Bicarbonate drops (always read the manufacturers leaflet).
If you are unable to disperse the wax yourself, our experienced Audiologist can perform safe, comfortable, effective earwax removal.