Microsuction Norwich
Ear Wax Removal – Microsuction
Micro-suction ear wax removal is one of the safest methods of ear cleaning and it is an ideal method of wax removal for people who have had a perforation to their eardrum or who have had any mid-ear surgery. Microsuction uses no water for the ear wax removal and there is no mess and little fuss.
Earwax is naturally occurring and serves an important purpose. On occasion earwax can build in the ear canal and can cause hearing loss or discomfort. For many people, microsuction offers a quick and long-lasting solution to hearing loss. Years of excess wax build up can be gently removed - providing an immediate improvement to their quality of life. It helps to protect and clean the inside of the ear by creating a natural protective layer. Other wax removal treatments such as syringing often completely clear the canal of all wax, leaving no protective layer inside the ear. Microsuction is a much more controlled treatment which allows your audiologist to carefully remove excess wax whilst preserving a necessary level of protection.
The procedure is traditionally performed by ent doctors or nurses via the nhs using high-magnification binocular operating microscopes, although there is a growing number of private audiologists and hearing aid dispensers in the uk now also performing microscopic and microsuction ear wax removal using magnifying glasses (loupes). Loupes are limited in the terms of both the magnification and distance (depth) of view they can provide inside the ear. However they remain popular due to their portability and relative inexpensive compared to an operating microscope. Both operating microscopes and loupes provide stereoscopic vision which aids depth perception.
Microsuction is a procedure which uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome earwax. It is performed with the aid of an operating microscope and a finely calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids. You may be asked to use olive oil spray or drops for several days beforehand. This will make the treatment easier for you. Occasionally we may need to use other instruments to remove hard wax. The technique means that we can always see what we are doing and can avoid touching the skin of the sides of the ear canal which makes the process a lot more comfortable.
How to remove ear wax using microsuction as medical professionals working in ent we get asked “how to remove ear wax?” almost everyday. We only practice and promote microsuction as this is the most effective way of maintaining aural hygiene. What is microsuction? ‘micro’ – because we use microscopes, ‘suction’ – because we use a finely calibrated suction device, to vacuum out the wax.
Microsuction of ear canal
Traditionally, ear wax is removed by ‘syringing’, which means water is forced into your ear canal to clear the wax. Here’s why modern microsuction is better: it isn’t messy, like water. It’s much safer than syringing.water irrigation can lead to bleeding and soreness from bruising or a resulting infection. When it goes badly wrong, syringing can perforate your ear drum or lead to tinnitus or hearing loss. Whereas microsuction is safe even if you’ve had a perforated ear drum in the past.
Microsuction is the term used for cleaning ear canals under the magnified view of a surgical microscope, and using a tiny vacuum cleaner and/or tiny instruments to remove ear wax.
The process is pretty straight forward. We will examine your ears to confirm that there is earwax present. We will then explain the procedure in detail so that you understand what will take place. You will be asked a few questions about your ear health, perforations of the eardrum and any previous experience you have had with the procedure. The earwax will be removed using the microsuction tube. This process can take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount and position of the wax. Once the earwax is removed we will again check the ear canal to make sure it is clear and healthy.
Ear microsuction is the most effective and safest form of earwax removal as it avoids touching the sensitive area around the ear canal and evades contact with the ear drum. A low pressure suction probe is used to gently and safely remove earwax. This technique of ear wax removal does not use high pressure water unlike ‘syringing’, therefore allowing microsuction to be the safest, fastest and cleanest method of choice.
Usually, microsuction does not even require pretreatment of ear drops. A fully qualified audiologist will look into the ear canal through a binaural microscope (either fixed or with glasses) and, using a very fine suction device at low temperature, will safely remove the wax. We cover berkshire and are based in reading, spire dunedin hospital.
As the name suggests, microsuction employs a tiny suction tube to gently remove excess wax from your ear canal. We also use a microscope to target locations where wax has built up. Because we have a better view of your ear, microsuction is faster than irrigation, typically lasting just a few minutes. It is generally considered free from discomfort and like irrigation we usually ask that you use sodium bicarbonate eardrops beforehand.
Microsuction is usually done as an outpatient appointment meaning you will go home the day of the procedure. It usually takes 15-20 minutes. During microsuction your consultant will use a microscope to examine your ear canal. They will insert a tiny suction tube (called a cannula) into the canal and suction any blockage from the area. Sometimes sterile saline solution is used to help break up wax or debris.
Ear Wax Removal – Microsuction and Ear Syringing
Ear wax removal by microsuction is the safest most effective method for the removal of ear wax from ear canals. Due to the nature of the suction, ear wax can be removed from the ear, irrespective of whether it is soft or hard. This differs from other methods such as syringing and water irrigation where wax has to be treated beforehand with drops to encourage a softer consistency.
Unlike ear syringing or even the safer ear irrigation, there is no water used, which means less mess generally. When undertaking micro-suction, the canal and the ear wax is being directly viewed with a microscope or a set of loupes (microscopic glasses) whilst it is being removed. This makes the procedure much quicker, safer and comfortable for the patient.
Very occasionally people with tinnitus have reported that ear syringing made their tinnitus more troublesome. This may be when the procedure has been an uncomfortable or unpleasant experience. Some people have reported that ear syringing actually caused their tinnitus. However, considering that wax removal - particularly ear syringing - is the most common ear procedure carried out in primary care, complications are few and far between.
Unlike other ear wax removal techniques such as ear syringing or ear irrigation, you will not need to do any preparation work before you visit us. While it may help to use ear drops before the removal, it is not necessary because our equipment will be able to remove it safely.
Earwax removal by Microsuction
When it comes to the safe and effective removal of earwax, there are three methods that an audiologist can use: irrigation, mechanical removal and microscopic suction (microsuction). Many of you may be familiar with irrigation (flushing of the ear with warm water). Mechanical removal requires excellent visualization of the ear canal while using an appropriately selected tool to remove the wax. These tools include various types of loops, scoops and forceps. Microscopic suction involves suctioning “vacuuming” the ear canal while visualized under a microscope.
Wax removal using the microsuction method
We’ve all heard of ear wax and ear wax removal- most of us have seen our own ear wax at some point. We know it as the yellowy, brown substance – not too appealing to look at and perhaps even a source of embarrassment if it becomes visible! However, this yellowy substance has more to it than meets the eye. We’re going to delve a little deeper to find out more about ear wax itself, how it builds up and complications from that, ear wax removal, and the benefits of microsuction ear wax removal.
Clinical ear care, otherwise known as wax removal, can be very beneficial to people using hearing aids to increase the usefulness of their aids. We call wax removal clinical ear care as we are able to use a variety of techniques in one session. These techniques may not all be needed and we would try for microsuction ear wax removal first.
Micro suction (ear wax removal) excessive or impacted wax can be uncomfortable, diminish hearing and cause problems with hearing aid use. We are now providing appointments for quick and painless relief from blocked ears with our registered audiologist who is trained in micro suction ear wax removal. Micro suction is currently the preferred method for wax removal as it is safer and more comfortable than the traditional ‘ear irrigation’ technique. It is suitable for everyone including clients who have previously suffered from perforated ear drums or are unable to get water down their ears.
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