Earwax, scientifically known as cerumen, plays a vital role in the health of our ears. Many people associate it with dirt or blockage, but in reality, a small amount of earwax in the ear canal serves a protective purpose. It helps to trap dust and debris, acting as a natural barrier that prevents foreign particles from reaching the sensitive eardrum. Earwax possesses natural antibacterial properties, so rather than considering it a nuisance, we should recognize that earwax is our body’s way of keeping our ears clean and safe.
Our ears are in fact, self-cleaning to some extent. The earwax produced within the ear canal slowly migrates outward where it may become visible. This natural process should assure us that we don’t constantly harbour “dirty” ears. However, attempting to remove earwax by inserting objects like cotton tips into the ear canal is a common mistake. Despite seeing some wax on the tip of the cotton swab, you may unknowingly push the wax deeper into the ear, disrupting the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism.
While most people can leave their ear canals alone and allow the natural process to unfold, there are situations in which earwax removal becomes necessary. Some common reasons for needing earwax removal include:
- Excessive Wax Production: An overproduction of earwax can lead to hearing loss and an increased risk of ear infections.
- Small Ear Canals: Some individuals have smaller ear canals, which means they may not produce more wax than the average person, but their ear canals block up more quickly due to the reduced volume.
- Curved Ear Canals: Ear canals are not straight; they have slight bends and turns. If an ear canal has a tight bend, it can hinder the self-cleaning process.
- Hearing Aid Users: Those who wear hearing aids need clear ear canals for optimal hearing aid performance. The presence of a hearing aid in the ear canal can disrupt the self-cleaning process.
Microsuction is the preferred method of wax removal for audiologists and ear specialists (ENTs) worldwide due to its safety and effectiveness. This method uses gentle suction to remove earwax without the use of messy liquids, as in the case of ear syringing, or any discomfort.
Microsuction at involves a detailed process:
- Visual Inspection: The ear canal is visually inspected to determine if it requires clearing, identify the exact position of the wax buildup, and assess the type of wax (whether it’s dry and flaky or soft and sticky).
- Microsuction Procedure: After the initial check, the audiologist gently places the microsuction tip against the wax, using gentle suction to facilitate easy removal. Sometimes, the entire wax buildup can be removed in one go, but in other cases, the process may need to be repeated.
Why Choose Focus Hearing for Your Wax Removal?
- Experience: We have safely removed wax for over two decades, ensuring a wealth of experience.
- Effectiveness: Microsuction is considered the most efficient and effective method of earwax removal.
- Hygiene: We use only ‘single use’ sterilized equipment, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness.
- Transparency: We provide you with before and after photos of your ear canal, so you can see the results of the procedure.
- Patient Focus: We allocate ample time to perform the microsuction procedure, ensuring your comfort and the best possible results.
When earwax buildup becomes problematic, it’s essential to seek the expertise of professionals. At Focus Hearing, our highly trained audiologists have over 20 years of experience in earwax removal.
If you’re searching for a reputable audiologist and hearing test in Crows Nest, Erina, Central Coast, Mona Vale, Northern Beaches and surrounding areas, Focus Hearing is here to support you for your overall hearing health and path to better hearing.
Focus Hearing is your local independent audiology clinic, dedicated to providing comprehensive hearing tests and individualised hearing solutions including hearing aids. Contact us today to schedule a hearing test.