Earwax removal
The Hearing Care Centre is one of the few private audiology practices in East Anglia offering a unique ENT nurse-led private earwax removal service and we can assure you that your safety is our priority.
Ears and hearing aids benefit from regular earwax removal, which is why we added this procedure to our portfolio of services. Whilst earwax has a number of positive functions, it can sometimes block the ear canal and lead to pain or temporary hearing loss. Earwax is very dense and can also cause havoc with hearing aids. If left unchecked, it could lead to whistling and feedback noises, and lesser quality of sound from your hearing aids.
Many GP surgeries and medical centres have over recent years begun declining the removal of earwax and this situation was not been helped by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At The Hearing Care Centre we offer treatment, without the need for a GP referral, in a relaxed atmosphere, following stringent safety guidelines allowing sufficient time with all our patients to remove wax, in a safe and gentle way using either microsuction or irrigation methods. We also offer an on-screen video image of the wax in the ear and the cleared ear after treatment.
Currently we are offering this service from our flagship Ipswich practice, as well as in Beccles, Bury St Edmunds, Eye, Felixstowe, Hethersett, Hadleigh, Hoveton, Stowmarket, Thetford, Wickham Market and Woodbridge.
Treatment costs £80.
If it is found that you do not have sufficient earwax to be removed, then there will be a charge of just £30 to cover the appointment time.
Microsuction
Microsuction is a procedure which uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome earwax.
It is performed with the aid of an operating microscope and a finely calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids.
You may be asked to use olive oil spray or drops for several days beforehand. This will make the treatment easier for you. Occasionally we may need to use other instruments to remove hard wax. The technique means that we can always see what we are doing and can avoid touching the skin of the sides of the ear canal which makes the process a lot more comfortable.
Ear irrigation
Ear irrigation is an ear cleansing method used to remove a buildup of earwax. Irrigation involves gently inserting liquid into the ears to flush the earwax out.
During our ear irrigation procedure the patient sits in a chair and the ear is rinsed with warm water from an electronic irrigator. The wax and water is collected in a basin or cup-shaped device which the patient holds under their ear.
Ear irrigation does make some noise but this is not excessive or uncomfortable. Most people who have irrigation find it to be a fairly pleasant procedure.
Please note that ear irrigation is not appropriate if you have:
- A perforated eardrum, or if you have had a perforation in the last 12 months
- Previously had problems with irrigation, such as pain in your ear or severe vertigo
- Have a discharge of mucus from your ear or have had an ear infection in the preceding two months
- Have recurring or persistent infections of the ear canal
- You have had any ear surgery (apart from cases of extruded grommets which had come out at least 18 months beforehand) had a middle ear infection (otitis media) in the past six weeks
Book an appointment today
If you are having issues with earwax, then book an earwax removal appointment
with us today by calling 0800 096 2637 or by clicking the link below.