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Providing Hearing Tests, Hearing Care & The Best Hearing Aids in Chiswick, West London
08 Mar
Earwax Removal in West London
Safe, Comfortable Ear wax Removal in Chiswick and Ealing, West London
Earwax Can Be A Common Problem For Hearing Aid Users
Earwax removal can be an extremely important service for hearing aid users. Quite often earwax can build up in the canal of a hearing aid user to the point of completely blocking it. Hearing aids don't work very well for people with blocked ear canals. They often feedback (whistle) and the user does not get the full benefit of amplification. The traditional way to remove earwax was to use an earwax softener for a few days, something like medical grade olive oil or one of the brand names of wax softeners. Then the ears would be syringed by their GP when they could get an appointment.
This process presented a hearing aid user with difficulties though. While they were putting oil in their ears they could not wear their hearing aids for fear of damaging them. The syringing procedure was not without its difficulties either. It could cause more problems than it solved. There is a better way to remove earwax, a process that is completely safe and ensures that a hearing aid user is not without their hearing aids. That process is microsuction earwax removal. I have invested in both the equipment and the learning to introduce microsuction earwax removal to my hearing aid centre in Chiswick.
Earwax blockage symptoms
There are a few symptoms that you may feel if you are suffering from earwax blockage of your ear canal.
- a feeling of fullness in the ear
- the sensation of hearing everything muffled
- mild tinnitus
If any of these symptoms sound familiar then you should have your ear canal or canals checked.
Why you should have ear wax removed professionally.
There is a saying that you should never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. It is a really good saying that you should listen to. You should not try to use cotton buds to remove earwax from your ear canal, all it will do is push it towards the ear drum. It can cause you even more problems and make it more difficult to remove. Please don't poke anything down your ear canal trying to relieve the problem yourself, the lining of the ear is very delicate and can easily be damaged. Leave it to a qualified specialist to remove the wax for you.
Why does ear wax build-up occur?
A little ear wax in your ear canal is totally normal and healthy, we need a little of it to maintain a healthy ear canal. It lubricates the skin and helps prevent dust and air borne bacteria from entering. Normally the ear canal is self-cleaning, the growth of ear canal skin and the small hairs in the canal encourage the wax and shedded skin towards the canal entrance where it simply drops out. However, sometimes this normal mechanism is interrupted and wax begins to build up. This can be a problem for people who wear hearing aids or people with a narrow or unusually shaped ear canal. Sometimes the interruption of the normal process is caused by the use of cotton buds.
Our Earwax Removal Service
I offer both microsuction earwax removal and earwax removal via low pressure irrigation. I offer both services because it offers choice and I know that some people like one process more than the other. Both methods are very safe and effective.
Micro Suction Earwax Removal
Microsuction earwax removal is undertaken using a microscope and a medical suction device. A wand type fitting is fitted to the end of the suction tube which allows me to gently remove the earwax from your canal.
Why microsuction?
Microsuction is the safest and most comfortable method of earwax removal, no liquids are used during the procedure. Which means that there is no fuss or mess during the procedure. The fact that we can clearly see the ear canal and more importantly exactly what we are doing, makes it an exceptionally safe procedure. It is an especially comfortable process and it is usually undertaken in a few minutes making it a same day service.
Preparations for microsuction ear wax removal
The microsuction wax removal process usually allows me to remove the wax the same day I see it. Generally speaking you will not need to put any earwax preparation in your ear before you come in and see me. However, a spray of medical grade olive oil the evening before your appointment will do no harm. It will condition the skin and make the procedure even easier and more comfortable.
Ear Wax Removal appointment (Microsuction)- about 30 minutes
Removal of wax using the microsuction equipment
Post procedure assessment to ensure all wax is cleared and a healthy ear is observed
Irrigation Earwax Removal
I also offer the irrigation method of earwax removal for people who are more comfortable with it. The procedure is undertaken with a spray type ear wash machine, which is commonly used in the medical setting. The irrigation solution is carefully warmed to body temperature for comfort. Then I use the spray type ear washer to gently stream water into the ear canal. The procedure is simple, I pull the external ear up and back gently and aim the nozzle of the sprayer slightly upwards and backwards so that the water flows along the roof of the ear canal. The irrigation solution flows out of the canal along its floor taking wax and debris with it. When the wax has been removed we use a special mopping apparatus to dry out the ear canal.
Preparatory steps for irrigation earwax removal
Softening the earwax before the procedure is undertaken will ensure that it is successful. You should use an oil for 1-3 days before removal to prepare the wax for the procedure. You should drop or spray your oil into your ear at night just before bed allowing it to work overnight.
Ear Wax Removal appointment (Irrigation)- 30 minutes
- Assessment of wax build up and ear health questionnaire
- Removal of wax via low pressure irrigation
- Dry mop of the ear canal
- Post procedure assessment to ensure all wax is cleared and a healthy ear is observed
If you have any questions about earwax removal, or you would like to book an appointment, please don't hesitate to contact me on 0208 994 6966 or book your appointment online.