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Earwax Removal

Our expert audiologists are ENT-trained and have a number of ways of removing troublesome earwax.

Earwax Removal

Earwax removal can be a simple strategy that will improve your daily life and relationships for those with impacted or clogged ears. Read on to hear all about the sticky subject of wax and ear care.

What is earwax?

Earwax is a yellowy-brown substance produced naturally in the ear. For many people, earwax does not cause any complications. However, earwax build-up can lead to many symptoms.

Why does the body produce wax?

Although the exact function of wax is not fully understood, it is believed to play a role in the cleanliness, hygiene and overall health of the ear; trapping dirt and lubricating the ear canal.

Why does earwax build up?

The amount of wax secreted can significantly vary between individuals; one ear can produce more wax than the other ear. For some people, wax can build up inside the ear canal due to a number of reasons:

  • The skin lining of the ear canal no longer sheds effectively and traps wax inside the ear
  • Due to hereditary bends or narrowness deep inside the ear canal or chronic ear infections
  • Using cotton buds or regular wearing of hearing aids, earbuds and earplugs can push the wax deep inside the ear
  • Tiny hairs (cilia) inside the ear canal become entangled with the wax preventing it from leaving the ear
  • The glands in the skin lining the ear canal are hyperactive and secrete more wax than normal
  • The presence of hard and dry wax, which is more common in older people, becomes impacted and lodged inside the ear canal

How do I know if I have earwax?

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms below, they may be an indicator of impacted, excessive or dry earwax. While some signs are shared with broader hearing loss, many are specific to an earwax related cause. If left to build up, earwax can cause these symptoms:

Earache or Irritation

If you’ve pain, itchiness or irritation, it’s possible this is caused by earwax. Wax that is impacted (especially dry wax) will rub against the side of the ear canal upon any jaw movements, likely causing some discomfort.

Conductive Hearing Loss

The sensation of a blocked ear. Wax restricts sound waves from travelling efficiently through the ear canal and vibrating against the eardrum, resulting in some degree of hearing loss.

Occlusion

Internal sounds such as chewing, breathing, heartbeat and even your own voice can no longer escape out of the ear and are heard much louder inside your head.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a ringing/whistling/buzzing type of sound that originates from inside your ear and can only be heard by you – not anyone else around you. Read more information about tinnitus here.

Vertigo

An increase in air pressure due to the wax inside the ear canal can inadvertently stimulate the organ of balance, located inside the inner ear, causing vertigo.

Coughing

Similar to vertigo, an increase in air pressure due to the wax inside the ear canal can inadvertently stimulate the facial nerve, located inside the middle ear, causing you to cough.

Whistling Hearing Aid

If you hearing whistling sounds when wearing your hearing aids or find that sounds are amplified and reflected back out of the ear, it could be due to wax.

Book your free hearing check to take the first steps to hear clearly again.

    What type of appointment do you need?

    If you’re concerned that you may be suffering with hearing loss or troublesome earwax, start by taking our quick and easy quiz. By answering a few simple questions, we’ll be able to understand more about your hearing and advise on the next steps to take. You’ll be on the road to better hearing in less than five minutes.

    What type of appointment do you need?

    Do you currently wear a hearing aid?

    Have you been told previously you have hearing loss?

    Do family members or friends complain the TV or radio is too loud?

    Do you struggle following people speaking in noisy situations?

    Do you have to ask people to repeat themselves?

    Do you hear a ringing or a humming noise?

    Do you worry your hearing isn’t as good as it used to be?

    Full diagnostic assessment - £80*

    The full 1.5 hour diagnostic assessment is nonobtrusive and pain-free. It will thoroughly assess all the components of your hearing pathway from your outer ear, through your middle and inner ear and the auditory processing centre of your brain.
    *redeemable against the purchase of hearing instruments.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    FREE Hearing Test/Ear Health Check

    We offer a free 30 minute hearing test/ear health check to see what might be causing the symptoms you are experiencing. This check may result in an additional appointment to resolve or investigate further, or we can advise accordingly.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    If you have any other symptoms of hearing loss, contact us to discuss your concerns.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    Has your GP surgery confirmed you have excess earwax?

    Have you been oiling your ear for 2-3 days?

    Have you experienced any of the following symptoms? Earache, itchy ear or a blocked feeling in your ears?

    Do you feel your hearing has recently changed?

    Do you hear a ringing or a humming noise?

    Do your ears block when you shower or go swimming?

    Earwax Removal

    Our audiologists are ENT- trained to offer safe and effective endoscopic earwax removal. Once the wax is removed, there is often instant relief from the symptoms you have been experiencing.

    Earwax removal £80.00

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    Oil the ear pre appointment

    Book an earwax removal appointment which allows you to oil for 2-3 days beforehand.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    FREE Ear Health Check

    We offer a free 15 minute ear health check to see what might be causing the symptoms you are experiencing. This check may result in an additional appointment to resolve or investigate further, or we can advise accordingly.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    If you have any other symptoms of hearing loss, contact us to discuss your concerns.

    Book appointmentStart again

    or call 01223 661399 to arrange an appointment

    Earwax Removal Techniques

    If you’re finding earwax to be problematic, following an inspection, we can remove it. Our audiologists are ENT-trained to offer safe, endoscopic earwax treatments for adults and children. The techniques are as gentle as they are effective, so there’s no need to worry. Once the wax is removed, there is often instant relief from symptoms.

    We use professional ear-clearing equipment, such as a Video otoscope, to clear earwax. The consistency of your earwax will determine which of the procedures below we will use.

    Microsuction

    Our state-of-the-art video otoscopy equipment is used to directly visualise the earwax whilst it is being removed. Removal is done by way of gentle suction, with a low-pressure suction machine and fine, sterile probe.

    Ear irrigation

    Ear irrigation replaces the old-fashioned technique of ear syringing, using an irrigation device to remove earwax. With irrigation, we never want to squirt water directly into the ear, as is the case with syringing. The irrigation introduces water into the ear via a specially adapted earpiece, allowing the water to flush the wax out safely.

    Earwax extraction

    Using the same state-of-the-art video otoscopy equipment to directly visualise the wax in your ear, we can safely remove the build-up with ENT micro-instruments, such as the ear hook or Jobson Horne.

    Book an appointment today, or call to arrange paediatric treatment.

    The cost for this service is £80. This includes the removal of ear wax from one or both ears and a hearing screening.