Many
people in the UK suffer from a buildup of the substance called ear wax,
otherwise known as cerumen. It occurs naturally to safeguard a person’s ears
and protect hearing. Cerumen is useful for cleaning out the ear canal and
generally makes its way out the body. Flaking away when it reaches outside the
ear.
However, there are cases
where cerumen can amass to excess inside the ear, causing a blockage. This can
result in a condition known as ear wax impaction. It can manifest itself in a
series of recognizable symptoms. For instance, sufferers may feel as if there
ear is packed up and they may experience pain or itching in the ear. Their
hearing will be affected and it may progressively deteriorate. People
struggling with ear wax impaction may also suffer from tinnitus or a ringing in
the ears and may feel dizzy, alongside other symptoms.
If you are concerned you may
be suffering from an impacted ear, why not make an appointment with Darroch Hearing Clinics?
Paul Darroch, our founder and experienced hearing health care expert, can carry
out a free ear examination. We can check for signs of excessive cerumen,
through the use of a piece of equipment known as an octoscope.
If it turns out that you are
indeed suffering from an impacted ear then ear wax removal may be required. In
that case Darroch Hearing Clinics can help you. There are many possible
treatments for ear wax, but Paul Darroch generally endorses micro suction. It
is a gentle process, carried out with a calibrated suction instrument and a
magnifying loupe. We perform micro suction procedures for a very reasonable
rate. We charge £45 for one ear or £65 if you need both ears worked on.
Say good bye to the
discomfort of ear impaction by choosing ear wax removal from
Darroch Hearing Clinics.
How is ear wax impaction diagnosed?
Your hearing health care
provider, Paul Darroch can examine your ears with a special instrument called
an otoscope, to see if excess ear wax is present.
How is ear wax
impaction treated?
Ear wax can be removed in several ways:
·
Using olive oil to soften wax in the ear canal
·
Irrigating the ear — this involves using a machine to rinse out
the ear canal with water or saline, generally after the wax has been softened
by oil.
·
Removing the wax manually using special instruments — a cerumen
spoon, forceps, or suction device.
Ear wax removal using
micro-suction is performed with the aid of a magnifying loupe and finely
calibrated suction device. Paul Darroch recommends micro-suction and offers the
service at all of his clinics.
How can ear wax
impaction be prevented?
Do not stick anything into
your ears to clean them. Use cotton buds on the outside of the ear and never
insert them into the ear canal. If you have a severe enough problem with ear
wax that you need to have it removed by a health professional more than once a
year, we can advise which method of prevention (if any) may work best for you.
We would advise that
commercially available suction devices for home use are not effective for most
people and are therefore not recommended.
Ear candles, which are
advertised as a natural method to remove ear wax, are not only ineffective but
can cause injury to the ear. Injuries can include burns to the external ear and
ear canal, and perforation of the eardrum.
Free Ear Check
If you would like us to
quickly examine your ears, there is no charge. If ear wax removal is required
for blocked ears, micro suction is an affordable, gentle process. £45 one ear;
£65 two ears.
