Private Earwax removal and Ear-care Service

For centuries people have experienced excess earwax problems, the presence of an excessive amount will hinder audiological examination and provision of hearing aids. 

The ear is designed with a self cleaning mechanism (unless you have had ear surgery) and wax is produced at the entrance of the ear canal in varying amounts dependent on general health, diet and other factors. 

Earwax normally moves slowly towards the opening of the ear canal, possibly pushed out by the movements of the cartilaginous ear canal, which occur when the jaw joint moves during speech and especially during yawning and chewing. Slowly but surely, the earwax usually ends up in the ear canal’s opening and is removed by ordinary washing, however many people produce earwax which blocks the ear canal. This might consist of soft wax that is pushed in towards the eardrum during bathing, or it could be caused by you pushing the earwax in by a compulsion to “clean” your ears with cotton swabs, paper clips and hairpins etc. 

As a result you may feel the ear canal is closed by a plug and your hearing may be reduced, you may then have occlusion troubles like a booming in your head when you speak or chew, which can even develop into droning tinnitus (Head noises).

How can you help with my earwax problem?

You can attend our private clinic for a consultation, which will involve looking into both your ears with an auriscope in order to see how much wax is present.  I can then decide the best method to remove the wax and then explain exactly what I am going to do as I carry out the procedure.  With ear care it is a partnership between the clinician and the client, the clinician ‘sees’ and the client ‘feels’, this partnership enables safe removal of the wax with little discomfort. After the treatment I can use the video otoscope to show you the difference before and after the ear wax removal.   If there is a problem other than excess earwax I will discuss this with you and advise about a consultation with your GP.

What is involved in the consultation?

You will be asked about your previous ear problems and if you have had your ear ‘syringed’ before and if you have any general health problems which may affect your ears.  I will spray olive oil into the entrance of your ears and will explain the earwax removal procedure. From time to time you will be asked to move your head in order to make the view of the ear canal clearer.

Is the procedure painful?

The procedure is not painful, however you may experience slight discomfort in your ear canal if the ear wax has been there for a long time or if you have used implements in an attempt to remove your own wax in the past.  Also, if there is an infection behind the ear wax which is often caused by getting water trapped in the ear, this causes the ear canal skin to be inflamed.

What will happen if the problem with my ears is not just wax ?

If I find you have an ear condition other than ear wax occlusion (the vision of the ear canal is totally blocked with wax) I will identify this and ask you to discuss the ear problem with your GP.