Clinics in Shrewsbury (Bicton) and Welshpool
CONTACT MARK CHALLINER PHD, AUDIOLOGIST FOR AN APPOINTMENT
IN CLINIC OR IN YOUR HOME
PHONE 07411 223357
CLICK ON 'CONTACT ME'
£60 ONE OR BOTH EARS - FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE
Experienced Hearcare Professional
Mark Challiner PhD MSHAA is an Accredited Hearcare Professional with over 17 years of experience. Mark has a PhD from The Department of Medicine, Liverpool University, is a Qualified Hearing Aid Audiologist and has a Certificate in Earwax Microsuction from Aston University. Mark is Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (H.C.P.C.) and is a member of The British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (B.S.H.A.A). Clinic appointments are available for Earwax Removal in Shrewsbury (Bicton) and Welshpool. Home visits also available in Shrewsbury. By appointment only. Please use olive oil to soften the earwax before your appointment. Do not use cotton buds as they compact the earwax against your eardrum making it more difficult to remove.
CARD PAYMENTS ACCEPTED £60 FOR ONE OR BOTH EARS (£25 CONSULTATION ONLY)
"Mark has been amazing. Replied to my enquiry promptly, arrived early, was very patient and efficient"
5 star review from Julie Bridges
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In Shrewsbury the earwax removal clinic is conveniently located at The Happy Feet Clinic, Holyhead Road, Bicton, Shrewsbury SY3 8EQ. Clinics are held on a Wednesday daytime and Thursday late afternoon/early evening. From Shrewsbury direction the clinic is located just inside the 30mph limit on the right hand side as you approach Bicton. Please park parallel to the house on our carpark and I will call you in as soon as I am free. By appointment only. Same day appointments are often available on clinic days. £60 to treat one or both ears.
In Welshpool the earwax removal clinic is conveniently located at Health Focus Clinic, 3,Canal Yard, Welshpool, SY21 7AQ on a Friday morning. The clinic is located at the far end of Morrisons car park (opposite the library and the canal). For an appointment in Welshpool please use the 'contact me' button or phone or text me (07411 223357) or phone Health Focus Clinic direct on 01938 556073. By appointment only. Same day appointments are often available on clinic days. Home visits are available in Welshpool on a Friday afternoon. £60 to treat one or both ears.
Earwax removal appointments are available in your own home in Shrewsbury on a Monday daytime or Thursday morning and in Welshpool on a Friday afternoon. Home visits are available either because of necessity or your preference. It helps me if you can get to a clinic but I can come to you if needed. Same day appointments for a home visit are not usually available and need to be booked a few days in advance. To set up in your home I ideally need a dining chair each, a table and a plug socket as well as enough space to get to both ears. Please contact me to discuss. £60 to treat one or both ears in Shrewsbury or Welshpool, further distances incur an additional charge of at least £15.
Earwax Microsuction
- Microsuction is the preferred technique for earwax removal
- Microsuction uses gentle suction under magnification and illumination using a head loupe
- Ear syringing with a manual syringe is no longer recommended (NICE guidelines)
- It helps to use olive oil drops for a few days beforehand
- Olive oil softens the wax and makes it easier to remove with microsuction
- Other preparations such as sodium bicarbonate or urea hydrogen peroxide are more irritant and are not first choice
- Occasionally it takes more than one attempt to remove the wax
- Please do not use cotton buds as they compact the earwax against the eardrum
- £60 for one or both ears
Why choose Shropshire Earwax Removal?
- A Personal Approach and Prompt Attention
- Local Independent Audiologist
- Mark Challiner PhD MSHAA has a PhD from the Department of Medicine, Liverpool University, Qualified in Hearing Aid Audiology since 2006, Experienced in fitting both NHS and Private Hearing Aids
- Certificate in Earwax Removal from Aston University (2018) and has successfully treated thousands of patients since then
- Clear consistent pricing - It's £60 (no £5 off £65 = £60 limited term offers!)
- Convenient locations, avoiding the town centres, easy parking
- Microsuction is the quickest and safest method
- Late night Thursday
- Home visits if required
- Free screening hearing test if requested
- Free hearing aid advice if requested
- Tinnitus advice if requested
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
- Member of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists
- Genuine 5 Star reviews from local people e.g. Eileen Statton "Mark was excellent. An appointment offered within 2 days. Extremely experienced, would highly recommend.... I can hear better than ever, excellent work thank you Mark"
InFORMATION ABOUT HEARING AND EARWAX
About Earwax
The NHS website says a build up of earwax can lead to hearing loss, earache or a feeling that your ears are blocked, tinnitus or dizziness. And it warns: "Do not use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax. This will push it in and make it worse."
If it's not earwax, what could it be?
You can experience similar symptoms to those caused by earwax due to other causes. I see many people with an outer ear infection (otits externa). This is often due to getting water trapped in the ear canal, perhaps blocked by wax or having a narrow ear canal. Symptoms may include itch, discharge and sometimes pain. Treatment is required from your GP for the infection and I will be able to remove any remaining debris from the infection as well as earwax. Sometimes a 'foreign body' such as cotton wool is blocking the ear canal. Earwax is an 'outer ear' problem but some 'middle ear' problems can cause similar symptoms to blockage with earwax. Such conditions include, hay-fever, a head cold, covid, sinus problems and Eustachian tube dysfunction. If I cannot fix the problem I will offer advice on what to do next.
A recent testimonial
" Had a problem with my left ear, wax had built up that much I went deaf, Mark managed to sort the problem out without fuss and hearing back to normal again. Highly recommend Shropshire Earwax Removal " 5 star review from Andrew Richard
Microsuction
Microsuction uses magnification under a microscope to vacuum any earwax out of the ear canal. Microsuction is one of the safest methods used to remove earwax, it has generally replaced syringing or irrigation.
About your appointment
At your appointment I will examine your ears, particularly the ear canal for evidence of a build up of wax. If excess wax is present in one or both ears I will take a comprehensive case history and answer any question that you may have. If no wax is blocking the ear I will discuss alternative actions that you may take such as contacting your GP for other appropriate treatment. I will ask you to sign a 'consent form' to give your informed consent to the procedure. I will then remove any wax if appropriate using microsuction or sometimes using a manual instrument to gently tease any wax out. All of this is done under illuminated magnification using a head loupe. After the procedure I will explain the outcome, discuss any follow up actions required, answer any questions that you may have and give general advice about your hearing health. Removal of wax may sometimes take more than one attempt.
I don't sell hearing aids, but.....
Hearing loss that is due to ‘wear and tear’ on the hearing nerve (the cochlea) can usually be significantly improved with aids. Wearing hearing aids can avoid a feeling of isolation that comes on gradually but can be debilitating.
If you want an appointment for wax removal either in clinic or at home please get in touch. I will reply promptly and arrange an appointment for you as soon as possible. I can also undertake a screening hearing test to give an indication of any existing hearing loss.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Some frequently asked questions
These are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions
How long have you been doing this?
I've worked as a Hearing Aid Audiologist since I qualified in 2006. I undertook additional training to provide an earwax removal service to my clients by completing the earwax microsuction course at Aston University in April 2018. Since then I have successfully treated thousands of ears and in the process restored 'normal hearing' to thousands of clients.
Where are your clinics for earwax removal?
Shropshire Earwax Removal is based in The Happy Feet Clinic (foot care!), Holyhead Road, Bicton, Shrewsbury SY3 8EQ on a Wednesday daytime and on Thursday late afternoon/evening. This is located on the outskirts of Shrewsbury. From Shrewsbury direction on the inner ring road take the right fork at the traffic lights by the Oxon Priory Pub (Shelton Corner) to Bicton and Montford Bridge (not Bicton Heath). After about 1.5 miles go past what was the the Four Crosses Pub (now Canopy Children's Nursery) and then Four Crosses Garage, the clinic is located on the right hand side just inside the 30mph limit. You can park right outside. Please park parallel to the house on our carpark and I will call you in when I am free.
I also have a clinic in Welshpool on Friday mornings at Health Focus Clinic, 3, Canal Yard Welshpool SY21 7AQ. Health Focus Clinic is located at the far end of Morrisons car park in Welshpool.
Can I book a home visit for earwax removal?
Home visits for earwax removal are available in Shrewsbury on a Monday daytime and Thursday morning subject to availability. Home visits in Welshpool are available on a Friday afternoon. It helps me if you can get to a clinic but I can see you in your own home if necessary because of difficulty in getting to a clinic or just for your convenience. In Shrewsbury or Welshpool the fee is still £60. Further distances incur an additional travel fee of at least £15.
How do I book an appointment for earwax removal?
Preferably use the 'contact me' form above or phone or text me on 07411 223357 or email me at dr.markchalliner@gmail.com If I am in a clinic I may not be able to answer immediately but I will get back to you asap. When I am in a clinic it is often easier for me to reply by text if all you need is an appointment rather than having questions to ask. Please let me know if you require a phone call back. For an appointment at Health Focus Clinic, Welshpool please contact the clinic directly on 01938 556073
How much does it cost? and how do I pay?
The cost for earwax removal whether it is one or both ears is £60 (not £60 per ear). The fee is the same whether for a clinic appointment or at your own home in Shrewsbury or Welshpool, further distances incur an additional travel fee of at least £15. If on examination no earwax is found then a 'consultation only' fee of £25 applies. You can pay by card.
What do I need to do before my appointment ?
Please use olive oil to soften the wax for about 5 days before your appointment. In my opinion a version of olive oil specifically for earwax removal purchased from a pharmacy is best. If you purchase Otex I recommend reading the small print as there are at least three different versions containing either urea hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate or olive oil. I recommend Earol as it contains olive oil and comes in a useful spray bottle. Avoid getting water in your ears as this can allow an infection to develop. Don't use cotton buds as they push wax deeper into the ear canal making it more difficult to remove.
MORE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Are you independent?
Yes, I'm an Independent Hearing Aid Audiologist providing an Earwax Removal Service with clinics in Shrewsbury and Welshpool. Home visits provided in and around Shrewsbury. I live near Shrewsbury. I also work as a locum elsewhere testing peoples hearing and dispensing and fitting hearing aids as well as providing an aftercare service. I am not going to try and sell you hearing aids but if your hearing is not improved by having the earwax removed I would always recommend getting a hearing test either privately or through your GP. I wear hearing aids myself so I know what it feels like to have a hearing loss and to wear hearing aids on a daily basis.
Is it necessary to have earwax removed?
In general earwax is good for your ears and is protective and healthy. However an excessive build up of earwax can result in symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. Some people are more prone to a build up of earwax than others. Hearing aids perhaps make the likelihood of a build up of earwax more common. For hearing aid wearers earwax can exacerbate problems of feedback (whistling) and hearing aids not working due to being blocked with earwax.
How frequently should I have earwax removed?
On average about once a year if you are prone to a build up of wax. Some clients I see every 3 or 4 months. It's better to seek treatment sooner than later and use olive oil drops to soften the wax for a few days before your appointment. To try and avoid a build up or wax you can use olive oil drops occasionally (no more than once a week) to keep the wax soft and it may work its way out of the ear canal as the skin lining the ear a canal grows outwards in a similar process to how your finger nails grow out.
Is it safe to use cotton buds to clean the ear canal?
In general no. The ear canal is about 3cm long and is about 0.5cm or less wide. Putting a cotton bud in your ear may remove a small amount of earwax on the tip of the cotton bud but the greater risk is that it pushes wax deeper into the ear canal close to the thin membrane of the eardrum. The earwax has no where to go and can become compacted against the eardrum making it painful and more difficult to remove. Many G.P.'s advise not putting anything smaller than your elbow in your ear canal!
How soon can I expect to notice an improvement in my hearing after having earwax removed?
The benefit is usually experienced immediately! If you don't notice an immediate improvement I will discuss the reasons why and advise you on what to do next. This may include continuing to use olive oil drops for a few days, coming back for a follow up appointment, contacting your GP or pharmacist for advice or booking a hearing test.