Microsuction is considered to be safer and more effective compared to ear syringing, as it avoids touching the sensitive skin of the ear canal and will have no contact with the ear drum. This means that the risk of infection is reduced.
As a tube is being entered into the ear canal, there is a small risk of damage or trauma occurring to the canal and eardrum. In very serious cases, this can include perforation of the eardrum, but this is rare.
Ear irrigation
Irrigating (gently rinsing) your ear canal can reduce the risk of earwax impaction. It involves using a rubber bulb syringe to squirt water or a saline solution into the ear canal. When the water or solution drains out of the ear, it also flushes out loose ear wax.
Micro suction is accepted across the medical profession as the safest and most comfortable method of earwax removal. With no liquids being used there is no fuss or mess during the procedure. The fact that the ear canal is being observed throughout the process, makes it an exceptionally safe procedure.
Why have GP surgeries stopped providing this service? A few people would say that ear syringing can be dangerous and potentially damage the ear canal if it is not undertaken correctly. However, the main reason it was taken away from GP surgeries is due to the fact it was no longer classified as an essential service.
Soften and loosen the earwax with warm mineral oil. You also can try hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of room temperature water. Place 2 drops of the fluid, warmed to body temperature, in the ear two times a day for up to 5 days.
I need ear wax removed by microsuction. Does Specsavers provide this service? Yes, Specsavers stores offer wax removal by microsuction. You can see if this service is available at your local Specsavers Audiologist, or you can book your microsuction earwax removal appointment online here.
Some people feel that their ears are blocked, but during the microsuction procedure we do not identify any blockage. This may be due to an underlying hearing loss issue.
Most microsuction ear wax extraction appointments last for between 15 and 30 minutes, which is the time needed to clear both ears of excess ear wax. It's important to stay still during the procedure as the ear canal is close to the eardrum, so the time may be prolonged if the patient moves around too much.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to 'how often can you have ear microsuction? ', as it varies from patient to patient. Some are unlucky and develop a lot of wax in their ear canal, with subsequent blockages (as often as every 3-6 months), which means they may require ear microsuction every 4-6 months.
Earwax removal tips
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.
AUSTRALIA'S NO. 1 EAR WAX REMOVER. WAXSOL is an effective water-based solution used to treat the build-up of ear wax.
A slow heart rate, known as bradycardia, is one of the most common suctioning complications, likely because suctioning stimulates the vagus nerve. This increases the risk of fainting and loss of consciousness. In patients in cardiac distress, it can elevate the risk of severe cardiovascular complications.
You may find your ears feel strange for a day or two. Occasionally there may be a small amount of bleeding. You may experience short-term dizziness. A follow-up appointment may be required depending on the circumstances.
Ear wax is removed via a very fine suction tube attached to a vacuum suction machine. During the procedure you may feel a gentle pulling sensation as the wax is removed. Alongside the sound of the suction itself you are likely to hear crackling and squeaking noises as the suction attaches to the wax.
For some people, a once-a-year visit to the ear care clinic is often sufficient but for many, having ear wax removed every six months may be recommended. If your ears are naturally prone to produce excessive wax then a quarterly appointment is likely to be needed.
We strongly advise against trying to remove impacted earwax at home as there's a risk of causing more permanent damage to your ears in doing so.
Can It Remove Hard Wax? Yes. Microsuction ear wax removal can successfully remove hard and soft wax from the eardrum. You don't need to spend weeks attempting to “soften” ear wax with ear drops like you would if you were to have your ears syringed.
Usually, these patients have extremely hard or immobile ear wax and need to use softening ear drops before any further attempts at microsuction. The failure rate falls to 0.5% at the second visit, with only a handful of patients ever requiring a third visit.
Microsuction is considered to be safer and more effective compared to ear syringing, as it avoids touching the sensitive skin of the ear canal and will have no contact with the ear drum. This means that the risk of infection is reduced.
How do I prepare for the procedure? Microsuction works best when the wax has been softened in the days leading up to the appointment. Hard wax can be more uncomfortable to remove, and sometimes it is hard to remove all of it in one session.