“Excessive or impacted cerumen is present in one in 10 children, one in 20 adults, and more than one third of the geriatric and developmentally delayed populations” 1
Earworx was established in 2016 by Registered Nurse Lisa Hellwege, to provide her clients with a safe and effective professional micro-suction earwax removal service. This is the same gentle and dry technique used by ENT specialists across Australia and at the Royal Hobart Hospital ENT Outpatient Department. Microsuction is a delicate procedure that requires practical training. All Earworx nurses have completed a nationally accredited Earworx Course in Aural Care and an extensive practical placement in order to learn how to safely perform the microsuction and curettage procedure.
Click here to learn more about Earworx staff.
The procedure is suitable for people with:
- Impacted ear wax that is causing symptoms
- Impacted ear wax that is preventing a view of the tympanic membrane inhibiting diagnosis
- Perforated ear drums
- Problems in the ear canal where syringing is unsuitable
- Hearing aids – wax removal may be required up to 6 monthly
- Previous ear surgery – may require a referral back to the ENT specialist
- Narrow ear canals
- Curvy ear canals
- Hairy ear canals
- Skin conditions like dermatitis or psoriasis
- Diabetes
- External or middle ear infections
- Dislodged hearing aid domes, ear plugs or foreign bodies in the ear canal. Please note for insects in the ear, please recommend application of olive oil to drown the insect prior to removal
Our qualified registered nurses use dry and effective micro suction to gently remove ear wax under direct observation. Our rates are $145 per session or $115 if you are a Pensioner, Veteran, Health Care Card Holder, Child or Full Time Student. For our Launceston and Ulverstone clinics, our rates are $135 per session or $105 if you are a Pensioner, Veteran, Health Care Card Holder, Child or Full Time Student. A reduced rate applies of $60 if no wax is found at all clinics. If a second appointment is necessary this appointment will be complimentary at all clinics. Please note we are a provider for St Lukes Health and Health Care Insurance (HCI).
Payments are made at the time of the appointment and are made via credit/debit card.
We have clinics in Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT. Please visit our clinic locations tab to see the addresses of each clinic.
We see children over the age of 4 years. For safety reasons, children need to be able to follow direction and keep reasonably still. We are able to remove extruded grommets as well as excess wax.
If for some reason direct vision cannot be maintained, we do not proceed with wax removal and may recommend a return to you for assessment and possible referral to an ENT where the procedure can be performed under microscopic vision. If wax is very dry and impacted softening may be necessary prior to removal to avoid trauma to the ear canal. A return visit is provided following a week of softening at no cost.
Earworx recommended products for softening include Ear Clear™ or plain olive oil and should be applied two nights before the appointment where possible.
All instruments are reprocessed on site in accordance with AS/NZS 4815:2006 to ensure no risk of transmission of infectious agents.
Please note all Earworx registered nurses are approved St Lukes Health and HCI providers and a partial rebate applies for our wax removal service.
Click here to learn more about the procedure.
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1 Schwartz et al 2017, Clinical Practice Guideline (Update): Earwax (Cerumen Impaction), Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Vol 156 (IS) SI-S29.