Adelaide Ear Cleaning and Wax Removal- Crystal Hearing

Suffering from blocked or full ears, itching, pain, reduced hearing and/or tinnitus?

If you’re saying yes to the above, you may have excessive wax buildup in your ears. You’re not alone, as excessive wax buildup or cerumen impaction occurs in 1/10 children, 1/20 adults and more than 1/3 of the geriatric population.

Ready to unblock your ears in the fastest, safest way possible?

Why see Crystal Hearing for ear wax removal? 

If you’re suffering from any of these symptoms book an appointment to see if manual earwax removal is required. Manual earwax removal includes microsuction, curettage and or forceps procedure. It is safer, more effective, more comfortable and less intrusive than other options such as syringing, commonly performed by general practitioners.

Ear Wax Removal: What is this?

At Crystal Hearing, our audiologist Meaghan has been specially trained in manual wax removal techniques: microsuction and curetting.  This is the most effective and safest form of wax removal and does not require introduction of water, unlike ear syringing, commonly performed by general practitioners.

Ear Wax Removal Procedure:

When booking a earwax removal appointment: We will have you complete a clinical history and microsuction consent form.  The audiologist Meaghan will view your external ear canals with our MedRX Video Otoscope and show you images on screen: this will also enable us to visualize if there’s any need for wax removal or not.   

The procedure is performed under direct vision using a converged binocular system (Vorotoke’s O’Scope): a small funnel is inserted into the ear which gives a clear view of the ear canal and eardrum.  Depending on the type and quantity of wax, a curette, microsuction or forceps (or a combination of these) will be used to safely remove earwax. 

Microsuction: a suction tube is inserted gently into the ear to attach to the wax.  At this stage you hear a loud “whooshing” sound which is the air running through the suction tube.  The suction tube acts as a vacuum to draw the wax out of the ear through the tip.

Curetting:  a curette is slowly inserted down the wall of the speculum and the edge of earwax is lifted and moved away from the canal wall.  When loose, the curette is dragged out of the ear canal, without touching any structured of the ear.

Forceps: alligator forceps are slowly inserted down the wall of the speculum and the pincers are opened, then closed around earwax and/or foreign bodies.  Once secured, the forceps are removed from the ear.      

Ear Wax Removal FAQs:

Why the need for earwax removal? 

Healthy ear canals have some wax, as wax is antibacterial, anti-insect, moisturizes and is part of the natural cleaning process of the ear.  However, when there is a large build-up (30% or more), or impaction, the natural migration of wax is disrupted and therefore removal is required.  Not everybody has this issue, however factors such as use of cotton buds, ageing, genetics, hairy ear canals, use of custom hearing protection and earbuds can contribute to unhealthy levels of earwax buildup.

What is microsuction and curetting?

Microsuction is using specialized equipment designed to safely and effectively remove unhealthy build-ups of wax in the external ear canals.  A specially trained audiologist will insert a small “vacuum-like” pipette into the ear canals to remove the earwax.  Depending on the type and accumulation of wax, curetting can also be an effective removal technique: here, an audiologist will use a small metal rod with a loop on the end, to insert into the ear canal to remove the earwax.

What are the risks of manual wax removal?

Some people can find speculum, microsuction tools or curette insertion uncomfortable however this can often be corrected.  See below “what to expect” FAQ which addresses sensations experienced during wax removal. Other risks can include dizziness, risk of trauma such as canal lacerations, eardrum perforation or bleeding: which is why keeping your head still during the appointment is crucial, to reduce this risk.  We will ask for your consent prior to, and regularly during the appointment check in with you to ensure you’re comfortable.

What to expect in terms of sensation, during microsuction and curetting:

Most people experience microsuction to be strange, however does not generally cause pain:  there can be pain when the wax is adhered to the canal walls, which is why we recommend use of olive oil drops into each affected ear, at least 3 consecutive days prior to your appointment.  Other factors can contribute to pain include generally sensitive ears, presence of surfer's ear (exostoses), or presence of outer ear infections.  Other sensations include hearing the “whooshing” sound of the vacuum: these sounds are below safe levels and will not damage your hearing.

Softening earwax prior to microsuction:

If possible the use of olive oil at least 3 consecutive days prior to your appointment is a good idea, however in most cases unnecessary (note: do not do this if you have grommets or a perforation in your eardrum.)  Should no oil softening be undertaken, we can assess you immediately, and if necessary rebook you after wax softening for wax removal: in this scenario we charge a $100 microsuction fee on the first, then a $30 follow up fee once the wax is successfully softened for removal. 

To ensure effective oil treatment, place your head down on to a table, with the affected ear facing up toward the ceiling.  Using a dropper, or small bottle of oil, drop at least 3-5 drops into your canal, and pull your ear outwards to straighten the ear canal and ensure the oil passes down the canal, and wait 10min at least before moving to the other side.  This may feel strange and cold, but do not worry as your eardrum is a closed membrane that stops the wax from getting in to places it shouldn’t!   

Olive oil is likely already in your cupboard AND the recommended oil type, as it keeps the earwax the correct consistency for microsuction and curettage. If you have used other pharmacy purchased oils however, do not worry as this shouldn't impact you on the day.

Costs to earwax removal:

Crystal Hearing charges $100 for earwax microsuction and curetting. Depending on regularity of your wax buildup, which we will discuss with you, we may recommend a follow up appointment in 6 months' time or 12 months. 

Can children require earwax removal, and do you do this?

Often, we can see earwax coming out of children’s’ ears frequently and some caregivers feel the need to remove the wax.  However, this may actually be a good sign, as the fact that you can see the wax means the natural healthy migration of wax out of the ears is occurring. 

Occasionally children have impacted or unhealthy buildups of wax and if you are concerned, book an appointment with us.  Other need for appointment can be foreign body removal, such as removal of beads/small objects your child has inserted into their ears. The age of your child as well as tolerance to the procedure will determine success of the appointment: please give us a call to discuss.