Earwax buildup and blockage can be unpleasant, uncomfortable and impact your hearing. Microsuction earwax removal is the safest and most effective way to eliminate earwax blockages. In this post, we will explain what symptoms could indicate you have a buildup of earwax, how microsuction earwax removal works, and how often you can have ear microsuction treatments.
Common Symptoms of Earwax Buildup
If you suspect you have a problem with earwax buildup, you should always arrange to have your ears examined by an audiologist. This is critical to ensure there are no other reasons for the symptoms you are experiencing. After all, you don’t want to go to the trouble and expense of earwax removal if this does not cause your problems.
That being said, some of the most common symptoms of earwax buildup include:
- Itching or irritation
- Pain or discomfort
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Your hearing has become gradually worse
- Discharge from the ear
- Vertigo and balance problems
Experiencing severe pain or an unpleasant-smelling discharge could indicate an infection or another issue. Because you may require antibiotics or another treatment, we recommend you visit your GP with these symptoms before booking microsuction earwax removal.
What is ear microsuction treatment?
Ear microsuction treatment is also commonly called earwax microsuction removal and is considered the most advanced and comfortable way to remove earwax buildup. The treatment simply involves using a small probe inserted into your ear and gentle suction to break up and suck out earwax.
Unlike ear syringing, no water is used, and it is completely mess-free. Plus, it is so gentle that ear microsuction treatment can be performed if you have an ear infection or have previously had a ruptured eardrum or ear surgery.
Audiologists prefer earwax microsuction to ear syringing with water as there are no risks of rupturing the eardrum, and risk of an infection is significantly reduced. Most people find the procedure painless, and symptoms of earwax buildup immediately disappear. Many of our patients also find that their hearing impairment was due to an earwax blockage, and hearing is greatly improved after ear microsuction treatment.
How often can you have ear microsuction according to audiologists?
Depending on where you choose to have ear microsuction treatment, it may not always be performed by a qualified audiologist. At most well-known companies, microsuction removal will be performed by a hearing aid dispenser or audiology assistant. Different companies will use different titles for the staff that perform ear microsuction treatment, so you should always check if your chosen provider will be a qualified audiologist.
At Regain Hearing, all of our tests and treatments are conducted by one of our experienced and qualified audiologists and ear microsuction treatment is no exception. Although the procedure is relatively straightforward and low risk, an audiologist is trained to be able to diagnose if there are any other underlying issues before performing earwax microsuction.
When no other underlying issues are present, and earwax buildup is due to factors such as narrow ear canals or a genetic predisposition that is the cause of excess earwax, it is safe to perform microsuction ear treatment as often as required. Typically, most people who produce a lot of earwax will choose to have microsuction earwax removal performed every four to six months. However, if you produce a regular amount of earwax, you usually only require microsuction earwax removal every 12 to 18 months.
How do you clean your ears at home?
Our patients often ask us how to clean their ears at home safely. We always advise you to only clean the outside of your ears with a soft damp cloth. Inner ears are self-cleaning, and earwax is actually important to protect your ears. Excess wax usually pushes itself out without you needing to do anything to help it.
You should never try to clean the inside of your ear canal with earbuds or any other implement. You should also refrain from picking earwax out with your fingers. Using anything inside your ear canal can cause damage to your eardrum. This is especially common when using cotton buds to clean your inner ear. Inserting objects into your ear canal can also push the earwax deeper down and make it more compact, preventing it from coming out naturally.
You can try using ear drops to treat earwax safely at home, but if symptoms don’t improve after a couple of weeks, it is advisable to have your ears checked by an audiologist. This will ensure any other problems are detected early and treated appropriately, and you can have your ears cleaned with ear microsuction treatment if required.
At our Regain Hearing Clinics, our audiologists will first enquire about your symptoms for a complete understanding of what is happening. Once you are ready, we’ll utilise video otoscopy to look into the ear canal and determine what may be causing any unpleasant sensations or hearing issues. We provide this service without charge. If any other issue is detected, we can refer you to the appropriate specialist for further investigations to ensure you receive the necessary treatment as fast as possible.
When we find earwax buildup, we can perform earwax microsuction if you want us to, for just £59 per ear. We also provide a complimentary earwax microsuction treatment if we can’t remove all of your earwax during your first treatment.
Make an appointment at one of our Regain Hearing clinics in London or Kent by getting in touch with us today. Book ear wax removal in Maidstone, Croydon or Gravesend or find your nearest clinic here. Alternatively, contact us at 0800 028 6763 or complete our contact form.
