Ear wax removal treatment

While this is not essential, it is always helpful to do this prior to your visit. Even to instill oil into both ears at least 1-2 days prior to your visit is useful. In order to do this, just use some cooking oil, such as olive oil, canola oil, sunflower oil, or rice bran oil. It's best not to use any oil with a fragrance (i.e. baby oil), as this can irritate sensitive skin in the ear canal.

In order to instill the oil, use a dropper (can be purchased at a chemist), or put a small amount of oil on a teaspoon. For best installation, lie on your side and install the oil and place a large ball of cotton wool (nor cotton buds) into the ear canal gently so as not to allow the oil to escape. Stay on your side for at least 2-3 minutes. It is not necessary to warm the oil.

• A minority of patients experience a mild amount of discomfort, or even a little pain. This is entirely normal.
• Some patients experience short term dizziness due to the cold air from the suction
• Ringing in the ear may be experienced with the noise of the suction - this is usually very temporary.
• Touching the ear canal may cause coughing - this is due to a cough reflex in the canal and is very temporary and ceases once treatment has been completed.
• Sometimes a repeat visit may be required if all the wax is unable to be removed at the initial visit.

No - cotton bud use is not recommended at any time to clean ears. Nothing smaller than your elbow should be put in your ears.

Then how do I clean my ears?
It is recommended to get your ears cleaned professionally, i.e. microsuction, as it is important that your ear can be properly looked inside throughout the procedure. Otherwise, damage to the ear canal may occur.

Wax in the ear canals can cause this. It is a good idea to get your ears checked for wax. Removal of the wax will help. Installation of cooking oil (such as olive oil) can also assist in itchiness as often the irritation is caused by dryness inside the ear canal. Mild hydrocortisone creams are available at the chemist for itchy skin.Talk to your GP about using a steroid drop into your ears if itchiness persists on a regular basis.

No, you will need to go to an audiology clinic to have your hearing tested. We do however have some satellite clinics in the same premises as audiologists, which may be of convenience.

The water will eventually be absorbed into the ear over time. To speed up the process you can always use a hairdryer on low heat. Hold the hairdryer out a safe distance from your ear, but close enough to assist in the drying of your ear.

A blocked ear without wax can mean that your sinus tract, which is connected to your ear, is inflamed. You may notice this feeling frequently if you have hay fever or other allergies, or even if you have a cold. Nasal sprays/antihistamines can be used to assist in the drying-out of your sinus passages, and they also help relieve the blocked feeling. Good nose blowing is also important to get rid of the excess mucus.

Wax build up is hereditary, therefore you are unable to change the amount of wax you produce. The occasional installation of oil will soften the wax, and at the Ear Hygiene Clinic we make sure our clients with frequent wax build up are seen by our nurses on a regular basis.

Yes we do. Microsuction is a service available for all ages - the youngest child we have seen being four weeks old, and the oldest person being 106 years old.