What is ear wax?
Ear wax is naturally produced in the ear canal; its purpose is to moisturise and protect the ear from dust, germs, irritation, and it also helps to repel insects.
Most people don’t need to remove ear wax as our ears are self-cleaning - the wax moves from deep in the ear canal, very slowly, until it reaches the outside of your ear naturally. Putting cotton buds, other objects or even your finger into your ears can push the wax further into the canal, disrupting the natural process. Some people can have problems with excess earwax production, and the thickness of ear wax also varies from person to person. Small ear canals, hair or dry skin in the canal may cause the wax to get stuck. In these cases, people may suffer from symptoms of discomfort.
What are the symptoms?
- Pressure
- Muffled or reduced hearing
- Itching
- Earache
- Tinnitus (ringing or additional noise in the ear)
- Dizziness
Who commonly requires earwax removal?
- Users of earphones, headphones and ear plugs
- Users of hearing aids
- Users of cotton buds
- Swimmers
What is microsuction?
Ear microsuction is the most advanced and safest method for earwax removal. During the procedure, a specially designed suction device removes the wax gently, with the aid of a microscope.
What is irrigation?
Warm water irrigation gently removes ear wax by using a controlled, low pressure water jet. The water flow is angled towards the ear canal rather than at the blockage to prevent the wax from being pushed deeper into the ear canal.