Hello? Excuse me? Can you hear us? 

Feeling blocked up? You’re not alone. Ear wax is naturally produced by our bodies to protect the ears from damage, and everyone suffers from the occasional build up, with some more insistent than others. 

That said, if a build up becomes irritable and sometimes even painful, it may likely need medical intervention to get it cleared up. Often those experiencing symptoms of build-up – which include earache, difficulty hearing, itchiness, dizziness, an ear infection or possibly even tinnitus – may need to consider booking an ear wax removal appointment with an Audiologist, a fairly harmless procedure which we’ll delve into below. 

An Audiologist will be able to examine your ear internally and externally to ensure there are no wider concerns regarding your hearing health. They will then carry out the procedure of ear wax removal. Depending on the Audiologist and your individual circumstances, your ear wax may be removed using one of several removal options. With that in mind, here’s what to expect at an ear wax removal appointment.

MICROSUCTION REMOVAL

One of the more advanced procedures in the audiologist’s armoury is Microsuction, which is generally reserved for more serious cases of build up in a patient.

Microsuction consists of sucking the wax out with a suction device, and represents the most comprehensive treatment available, with Camden Opticians Group telling us that ‘’due to the nature of the suction, ear wax can be removed from the ear, irrespective of whether it is soft or hard. This differs from other methods such as syringing and water irrigation where wax has to be treated beforehand with drops to encourage a softer consistency.’’

Because of this, microsuction is probably the cleanest, most effective method of ear wax removal. During an appointment, ear wax can usually be removed from the ear within 30-minutes. Because of the efficiency of this procedure, it will cost more than a simple, though often unreliable, DIY effort, ranging from £200 to £400, on average.

Your appointment will also usually include pictures of the ear canals before removal, removal of wax from both ears and pictures after to demonstrate the health of the ear canals and ear drums. Though this may sound a little gross, it can actually be reassuring and testament to the skilled work involved.

Due to microsuction’s adaptability at dealing with both hard and soft wax, you will not be asked to treat the wax with oil or drops before your appointment. In a few cases, a follow up visit may be required; your audiologist will discuss this with you following the initial procedure. Generally speaking, this will only incur a minor additional fee. 

MANUAL WAX REMOVAL 

An alternative method of ear wax removal is to remove the ear wax manually. Though this isn’t ideally suited to larger build ups, it can work for minor cases.

During such a procedure, small amounts of earwax are removed using a tool called a Jobson Horne. A Jobson Horne is used to remove the ear wax usually within the entrance of the ear canal. This instrument will not hurt or damage your ear or your hearing, but should be used by a professionally trained Audiologist, who is trained in removing ear wax this way. Attempting a DIY procedure with a device simply isn’t safe, and could damage the eardrum. 

Typically, the appointment time for manual removal will be around 30 minutes, although this is dependent upon how stubborn or hard the wax may be. Unlike Microsuction, you may be required to insert oil or drops into your ear before your appointment to soften the wax for removal; your Audiologist will inform you beforehand if this is the case. 

With manual wax removal, you may be required to attend multiple appointments if there is a lot of wax build-up, as the procedure is less comprehensive than Microsuction. This is reflected in a lower price; expect to pay a flat fee of around £100.  

EAR IRRIGATION

If you have never had ear wax removed before, you may still be familiar with ear irrigation as a wax removal method. 

This is the flushing of ear wax from the ear using water, and can either be carried out professionally or at home, using a kit available in most high street pharmacies. Generally speaking, this is the only procedure which is safe to carry out at home, though it will be more effective when carried out by an audiologist.

You can expect your appointment to last around 30 minutes and to potentially return for multiple visits with this method of ear wax removal. The water is typically heated to body temperature to make this procedure comfortable and to avoid shock to the inner ear. 

The Audiologist will hold an ear cup under your ear to catch any fall out, water or wax. Then, the irrigation probe will be inserted into the canal, where the Audiologist will begin the introduction of water into the ear. The water is precisely inserted into the ear to avoid damage and to dislodge the wax. Once the wax is collected into the ear cup, your ear will be cleared of water and dried. 

IS EAR WAX REMOVAL PAINFUL?

All of the methods of removal we have mentioned are painless when carried out by a professional. It is always important to note that the best option for wax removal is to book an appointment with an Audiologist who can offer their professional advice and treatment, as the inner ear and drum are a surprisingly tender, prone body part.

As such, choosing to remove wax at home can be harmful for your ear canal and drum. On the flip side, an Audiologist will ensure the procedure is comfortable and most appropriate for your individual circumstances. Good luck!