Causes of Ear Wax
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs. It usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears.
Earwax protects the skin of the human ear canal, assists in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungi, insects and water. In other words, ear wax is a good thing!
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The amount of ear wax that the body produces differs from person to person, the amount that is retained within the ear also differs for each of us. These differences are for a number of reasons:
- Age
- Diet
- Lifestyle
- Personal anatomy
- Genetics
- Ethnicity
Many people will produce a small amount of wax their whole lives, which leaves the ear canal naturally, and never have any problem with it. For others, their ear will produce a larger amount of wax, which will not fully leave the ear canal and will become blocked, which leads to them having reduced hearing ability and also a blocked feeling in the ear.
Treatments for Ear Wax
Our micro suction and irrigation treatments help those who have excessive ear wax that is causing a blockage and resulting in a hearing loss or unpleasant feeling in the ear.
There are tried and tested methods how to remove ear wax from an ear and there are a number of alternative methods. We carry out only clinically approved safe methods to remove ear wax.
Excessive ear wax can cause pain, tinnitus, infection and hearing loss through blockage. A one minute otoscopic examination (looking down your ears with a magnifying lens and light) will identify if earwax is causing any of these problems. We can then remove ear wax for you immediately by micro suction ear wax removal or irrigation.
Microsuction Earwax Removal
Microsuction earwax removal is undertaken using a microscope and a medical suction device. A wand-type extension is fitted to the end of the suction tube which allows the professional to gently remove the earwax from your canal.
Why microsuction?
Microsuction is the safest and most comfortable method of earwax removal, no liquids are used during the procedure. The fact that we can clearly see the ear canal and more importantly exactly what we are doing, makes it an exceptionally safe procedure. It is an especially comfortable process and it is usually undertaken in a few minutes making it a same day service.
Irrigation Earwax Removal
We also offer the irrigation method of earwax removal for people who are more comfortable with it. The procedure is undertaken with a spray type ear wash machine which is commonly used in the medical setting. The irrigation solution is carefully warmed to body temperature for comfort.
We use the spray type ear washer to gently stream water into the ear canal. The procedure is simple, we pull the external ear up and back gently and aim the nozzle of the sprayer slightly upwards and backwards so that the water flows along the roof of the ear canal. The irrigation solution flows out of the canal along its floor taking wax and debris with it. When the wax has been removed we use a special mopping apparatus to dry out the ear canal.
Ear wax removal is charged at £30 per ear.
