What is ear wax?

Ear wax or cerumen is a natural secretion produced by the ear that lubricates your ear canals, helping to keep them clean and free from infection. However, a build-up of extra wax can cause problems such as ear pain and hearing loss. The following information is intended to give you more information about the process and some of the risks involved with ear wax removal.

What causes ear wax build-up?

Some people naturally produce a lot of ear wax.
As we get older ear wax gets drier, disrupting the natural cleansing action, causing a blockage.
Narrow or hairy ear canals.
Frequent use of hearing aids, cotton buds, ear plugs and music ear buds.
Bony growths in the ear canal.
Symptoms include hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), itchiness, dizziness and infection.

What is ear irrigation?

Ear irrigation is a safe and effective way of removing extra ear wax from the ear canal as long as the ear wax is not hard or impacted. Replacing the old fashioned technique of syringing, it involves squirting warm water into the ear canal via a nozzle attached to an electric pump. The water dislodges the wax and is flushed out of the ear into a cup held under the ear. It should be pain free, but some of the known side effects and risks are:

Ear canal discomfort, pain, infection.
Tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo.
Further impaction of wax by water being pumped into the ear canal.
Damage or trauma to the ear canal and ear drum (including perforation).
Infection of the porous and air filled bone surrounding the ear (mastoiditis).
Hearing loss (temporary or permanent), this is rare.

How does the Earworx Clinic wax removal service work?

1. Book an appointment

First, you’ll need to book an appointment by telephone 07780 664351 or email jane@earworxclinic.co.uk
As part of the booking process you will be asked some questions to make sure the service is the right option for you.

2. Before your appointment

Starting seven days before your appointment, spray olive oil ear drops, such as Earol (which can be purchased from any pharmacy) into each ear twice a day.
If your wax is impacted, you may need to do this for two weeks prior to your appointment.
Please click on the link for advice on how to administer Earol https://hlhealthcare.co.uk/product/earol/

3. Your appointment

The appointment itself lasts about 30 minutes.
We will talk you through the process to make sure you are happy and answer any questions you may have.
Having something in your ear may feel a little odd, but it shouldn’t hurt.

4. After your appointment

Keep your ears dry for a few days to allow time to produce a new protective layer of wax.
For ongoing ear maintenance, we recommend regular use of olive oil drops.
A few people feel dizzy after the procedure, but this should settle quickly.
If the wax removal is unsuccessful, we will chat to you about what to do next.
If there is no wax to remove you will only be charged a consultation fee.
You may be advised to see a GP so your ears can be check for other causes of your symptoms.

Limitations to ear irrigation

It is important to note that no treatment of ear wax removal is complete risk-free, but ear irrigation is generally thought of as a safe alternative to syringing. However not everyone is suitable for ear wax removal in this way and the treatment may not be advised if you have any of the following:

Recent ear perforation or history of ear perforation
Previous ear surgery i.e. mastoidectomy
Grommets in situ or removed within last 18mths
Current ear pain, infection or infection within the last 6 weeks
Cleft palate (even if it has been repaired)
Foreign body
Blood thinning medication

Charges

Consultation (not charged if you go ahead with the treatment) £50
Ear wax removal £80
Out of Hours (evenings/weekends) £100
Group bookings (3 or more people booked on the same day at the same location) £60 pp
Cancellation fee (if cancelled less than 24hrs before your appointment) £25