You generally don't need doctor-removal unless you have symptoms, but if you're prone to buildup (especially with hearing aids), checkups might be needed every 3 to 12 months, or even quarterly, as ears self-clean but can get impacted, requiring professional removal for issues like hearing loss, pain, or dizziness.
Your doctor can look at your ears for signs of infection and take care of earwax removal safely. A doctor can also tell you how often you need your ears cleaned. Kesser recommends patients get a cleaning once a year if they have problems.
We find earwax blockage by looking into the ear with a special light that enlarges the image (otoscope). We can remove earwax blockage during your clinic appointment. You can also treat it at home with over-the-counter remedies. When left untreated, earwax blockage may lead to serious ear problems, such as infection.
If you're experiencing ear discomfort, muffled hearing, or a feeling of fullness in your ears, built-up ear wax (cerumen) could be the cause. While at-home remedies can sometimes help, professional ear wax removal by an audiologist is a safe and effective way to clear your ears without risking damage.
Symptoms of earwax blockage may include:
See a nurse at your GP surgery if:
Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax. Other causes include: producing naturally hard or dry earwax. having narrow or hairy ear canals (the tube between the opening of the ear and the eardrum)
Chewing, talking and regular bathing is often enough to move earwax up and out of the ear. Usually, earwax gets rinsed away in the shower without you knowing it's happening. But it's possible – and totally normal – for earwax to come out in balls, clumps or lumps. The bigger problem is when earwax stays in your ears.
Instead, soak a cotton ball and drip a few drops of plain water, a simple saline solution, or hydrogen peroxide into the ear with your head tilted so the opening of the ear is pointing up. Keep it in that position for a minute to allow gravity to pull the fluid down through the wax.
Damage to the ear/eardrum, which can cause slight bleeding - This is an unusual side effect, and being able to sit very still during the entire earwax removal procedure will significantly minimise the risk. Noise-induced damage - Again this is rare, but you might experience temporary hearing loss.
Our £60 microsuction earwax removal service is safe, effective, and provided by trained experts. If no wax is found, we perform a full ear health check for just £25. Book online today!
Ear syringing is a very common practice among general practitioners (GPs). It is used by many as the treatment of choice for cerumen (ear wax), and is usually effective and safe.
Yes, after the earwax is removed, you are likely to start hearing better immediately. A study found that 75% of ears tested could hear 1 to 3 more frequencies after ear irrigation. This improvement in hearing is because removing the blockage allows sound to travel more freely to the eardrum.
Typically, most people who produce a lot of earwax will choose to have microsuction earwax removal performed every four to six months. However, if you produce a regular amount of earwax, you usually only require microsuction earwax removal every 12 to 18 months.
Types of Professional Earwax Removal
Micro-suction is a pain-free, gentle process that uses a low pressure suction pump to safely remove earwax from the ear canal. Another way professionals remove excess earwax is through irrigation, which involves flushing the ear canal with water.
Dry earwax is not as effective as wet earwax in trapping foreign particles and is more likely to cause blockages in the ear canal.
Your healthcare professional can remove excess wax in the ear with a small, curved tool called a curet or with suction techniques. Another method flushes out the wax with a syringe full of warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide.
When should I see my healthcare provider? Call a healthcare provider if you develop cerumen impaction symptoms such as ear pain, itchiness, tinnitus, dizziness, hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in your ears.
Yes, deep earwax may eventually come out, but too much will mean you will likely need ear drops from a pharmacy to remove the wax at home. And if that doesn't work, then you will need to see a professional for microsuction. Don't suffer any longer than you have to — both solutions are quick and painless.
What deficiency causes excessive ear wax? There is no direct vitamin deficiency that causes excess earwax, but dry skin conditions or hormonal changes can affect wax production.
Ear wax removal costs typically range from $70 to over $160, depending on the provider (audiologist, specialist), method (microsuction, manual), location, and if you have concessions or health insurance. Audiologists using microsuction often charge around $100-$110, while ENT specialists might cost $150-$300. Some places offer lower fees for pensioners or if no wax is found.
As strange as it sounds, stress can increase earwax production for some people. When you're feeling stressed, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. A high level of cortisol in the body can make some of your skin glands more active, including the glands in your ear canal which creates earwax.
If there is blood in your earwax, this could be a sign of an injury to the ear or a ruptured eardrum. Gray or black earwax usually means there is a buildup of dust in the ear or impacted earwax. If you are experiencing hearing loss, this could be a sign of impacted earwax.
You may need ear syringing if you have ongoing blocked ear symptoms linked to hardened wax that is not clearing on its own.