InFORMATION ABOUT HEARING AND 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."  

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.

" 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 uses magnification under a microscope to vacuum any earwax out of the ear canal.  A fine suction tube is carefully inserted into the ear canal, gentle suction is used while viewing the ear canal through illuminated, magnifying loupes. Microsuction is one of the safest methods used to remove earwax, it has generally replaced syringing or irrigation. The NICE guidelines (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) clearly state "Do not offer adults manual syringing to remove earwax" (https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98/chapter/Recommendations#removing-earwax). 

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 and/or arranging a hearing assessment. 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 occasionally take more than one attempt.

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.