At Earworx, we use micro-suction as it is a safe and effective way of removing impacted earwax. Our qualified, registered nurses use curettage and micro-suction techniques to gently remove earwax, relieving you from the discomfort of blocked ears.
But what is micro-suction? Here’s everything you need to know about it to relieve any anxiety you might have.
Why Do I Need Micro-Suction?
Our ears are mostly self-cleaning; a conveyor belt motion of the skin layer within the ear canal carries wax out of the ear, where it then simply falls out or can be wiped away at the entrance to the ear. However, some people produce excessive ear wax, which can lead to wax build-up and wax impaction. This can block the ears and be extremely uncomfortable and one in ten children and one in twenty adults suffer from ear wax impaction. It also becomes more common with aging.
So how do you know whether you need micro-suction? Symptoms of impacted ear wax include:
- Itchiness
- Hearing loss
- Earache
- Tinnitus
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Cough
- Odour
- Discharge
You may also notice your ear feeling blocked when waking in the morning, clearing as the morning goes on, only to block again overnight. Water may also become trapped in your ear following swimming or showering – this can take days to dry out.
You are more likely to be prone to excessive ear wax production if you:
- Wear hearing aids or regularly wear anything in your ears which block the self-cleaning mechanism, like earphones or earplugs
- Have naturally hairy, narrow and bendy ear canals
- Use cotton buds which push the wax further into your ears
- Have skin conditions that make your skin dry and flaky, like eczema or psoriasis
- Are stressed
- Are genetically predisposed to produce more ear wax
- Spend a lot of the time in the water, for example, swimming or surfing
About the Micro-Suction Procedure
On your first visit to Earworx, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your ear history as well as your current symptoms. One of our friendly registered nurses will then go through your questionnaire with you in a safe and comfortable environment, and you are welcome to ask any questions that you may have.
The nurse will then carefully inspect your ears to check if the amount of wax in them requires micro-suction. If yes, we will then explain to you what the procedure involves and, again, you are welcome to ask any questions.
The process involves a tiny micro-suction catheter, which is attached to suction tubing, being inserted directly into your ear canal. This machine gently sucks out the ear wax and is a bit like a mini vacuum cleaner. Using ‘loupes’ – which are binocular glasses fitted with a bright light – the nurse maintains vision with your ear canal and eardrum throughout the entire procedure to ensure your safety.
If your impacted wax is particularly stubborn, we might suggest that you use wax softening drops prior to your visit. This will ensure that the process is quick, easy and more comfortable for you.
Why Choose Micro-Suction?
Micro-suction is the safest and most effective method of ear wax removal and is the same technique endorsed by Ear Nose and Throat specialists.
Unlike wet ear wax removal techniques, like syringing, micro-suction is completely dry and mess-free. Not only does this make the process much more comfortable for you, it means that it is suitable for people with perforated eardrums or people who have undergone ear surgery. Other good news is that is can be used on people with diabetes, a depressed immune system, or those who are taking blood thinners.
Micro-suction is also able to be used on people with ear infections. Removing excessive debris related to ear infection can even help prescribed ear drops to penetrate better and enable you to recover quicker. It is also a useful technique for the removal of foreign bodies, such as insects, cotton buds or hearing aid domes.
Another benefit of micro-suction is that, because a nurse is supervising the entire procedure, they are able to ensure that no wax is ‘left behind’. Other techniques often only partially remove wax, which can lead to a feeling of relief but also means that the wax builds up much more quickly, leading your ear to become blocked again.
The Benefits of Earworx
- Micro-suction is all we do, every day of the week. That makes us experts at what we do, so you can trust we are good at what we do
- All of the registered nurses at Earworx have undergone specialist micro-suction and ear hygiene training.
- The micro-suction process is easy and pain-free, with almost all patients stating that they feel instant relief from wax blockages.
- Currently, we have locations in Tasmania, NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, WA and are continuing to expand across Australia.