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Wax Away by Jay

Patient information – Ear Wax Removal

Before you attend an appointment

It is extremely important to soften the wax in your ear for a minimum of 5 days before your appointment. This is because the ear wax needs to be soft to make the procedure as comfortable and effective as possible (for you the patient). We strongly recommend medicated olive oil such as EAROL, once per day in the affected ear(s) for up to 5 days.

If any of the below are applicable to you, we may not be able to proceed with ear wax removal – Please call us to discuss your options.
  • Diabetes
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Taking blood thinning medication
  • Poor head or neck control
  • Dry, tickly, or irritable throat
Speak to your GP If:
  • You have experienced any pain within the last 30 days.
  • You are experiencing any current or recurrent ear infection.
  • You have experienced any middle ear infection within the last 90 days.
  • You have had any operations in or around the ear, to ensure that there are no reasons why you should not undergo ear wax removal.
  • You suspect that you may have any foreign bodies in your ear canal.
  • You suspect you may have a perforated eardrum.
  • You have experienced any fluid or discharge from inside you ear in the last 90 days.

What to expect from your Ear Wax Removal Specialist during your appointment?

  1. Your appointment could take up to 45 minutes.
  2. Your ear wax removal specialist will ask you a series of questions to get a better understanding of the health of your ears.
  3. Your specialist will examine your outer ear, ear canal and ear drum with an otoscope, which is a tool that shines a beam of light to help the specialist visualize and examine the condition of the ear canal and the ear drum. Information from this examination will be logged. This will assist with your ongoing treatment should you require another visit or a follow -up visit and will help us keep a track of any changes to your ear over time.
  4. Your specialist will assess the best method of wax removal and discuss this with you before securing your consent to proceed with treatment.
  5. The specialist will use either Micro-suction or Water irrigation (see below for detailed explanation of each) to remove any wax that may be obscuring your Tympanic membrane (ear drum).
  6. Removal of ear wax by these two processes is almost always successful. However, in the unusual circumstances that this is not successful, we will advise you of the next steps.

What are the methods of ear wax removal?

Water Irrigation is the traditional procedure for ear wax removal. The process involves the introduction of water into the ear canal at a very low pressure, allowing the ear wax to be flushed out. The warm water (approx. 37 degrees) is aimed around the ear canal and the outer edge of the wax in order to break down the seal. Water irrigation is ideal when the ear wax is deep in the bony part of the ear canal.

Micro-suction involves using a gentle suction through a probe to remove the wax. This is a much less invasive procedure than water irrigation and the patient is not required to do anything. However, it is important to understand that the patient must take care to keep their head very still and avoid any sudden movements throughout the procedure. The probe is long and there is a risk that it could damage the External Auditory Meatus (ear canal) or the Tympanic Membrane (ear drum) if there are any sudden, unexpected movements by the patient.