Information and FAQs

Man experiencing ear pain, holding his left ear with a pained expression and redness around the ear.

Symptoms of Ear Wax Build up and Blockage

  • Hearing Loss

  • Earache or a feeling that your ears are blocked

  • Itchiness

  • Ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus)

  • Vertigo (feeling dizzy and sick)

  • Ear infection

  • Poor hearing aid performance

Person cleaning their ear with a cotton swab.

Causes of Ear Wax Build up and Blockage

  • Age

  • Using ear buds

  • Hearing aids

  • Use of earphone plugs

  • Narrowed/deformed ear canal

  • Numerous hairs

  • Benign boney growths

Diagram of the anatomy of the human ear showing outer ear, ear wax, ear canal, eardrum, middle ear bones (stapes, incus, malleus), cochlea, nerve fibers, semicircular canals, and eustachian tube.

Do not use your fingers or any objects like cotton buds to remove earwax.

This will push it in and make it worse.

FAQs:

What should I do before my appointment?

I recommend using medical grade olive oil spray (such as Earol,) following the manufacturer’s instructions, to help soften the wax.  This is particularly helpful if having Microsuction.  I can provide this (Sent to you by post) prior to your appointment.

What will happen at the appointment?

With your consent, I will take a look inside your ear canal using a digital endoscope to see if you have any wax. I will then advise on which method (Microsuction or Irrigation) will be the safest, quickest and most effective for you. It may be necessary to use a combination of microsuction and irrigation to remove particularly stubborn ear wax. PLEASE ALLOW AN HOUR FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT.  

Consent Form

Download and print our Consent Form here