Clearing the Air around Micro Suctioning

By Daniel Calder
July 6, 2023 10:44 am

Have you experienced the annoyance of blocked or wax-filled ears? Blocked ears can be a real pain, and worse they can cause long-term damage to your ear canal. That’s why we have asked our experienced nurse Rozena to explain everything from ear wax and micro suctioning to cotton buds and earphones!

Understanding Ear Wax

Ear wax is a wax-like oil that lives inside your ears, predominantly to keep your ear drum clean and healthy. In most instances, ear wax naturally passes out of the ears. For the most part, ear wax is a good thing, as it provides a layer of protection from bacteria and germs for the skin inside the ear, as well as assisting with cleaning. However, like many things in life, it is only good in moderation. For those of us who produce more ear wax than others, it can often block up the ear canal.

Ear wax buildup can be caused by a number of things, most of which we cannot control. Factors that influence excess ear wax include:

Eczema in the ear canal
Dry skin in the ear canal
Genetics

Contrary to many beliefs, earwax buildup is not a sign of bad health. Excessive earwax can occur as a result of various genetic and lifestyle factors. Sometimes the shape of your ear canal can mean you’re prone to excessive ear wax buildup. As far as lifestyle factors, people who spend a lot of time in the water, or in dusty environments tend to produce more ear wax. Neither of these factors means there that you have poor hygiene, however, it is a good idea to keep an eye on your ears and monitor for any signs of blockage.

The Importance of Ear Wax Removal

Not everyone who produces ear wax needs ear suctioning. However, some of us produce more ear wax than others. Therefore we need to keep an eye out for the following symptoms:

Ears feeling blocked or full
Ear pain
Hearing has decreased
Ringing
Ear feeling funny or weird
General wax build-up
Dizziness
Blocked ears can affect our daily life, and isn’t something you should leave, as it won’t just go away. There is no specific time frame on how often you should have your ears cleaned, it generally depends on how your ears are feeling.
If you do notice any of the above symptoms, we recommend that you take swift action. A build-up of ear wax can cause a range of symptoms that can potentially cause short and long-term problems, such as;
Ear pain or itchiness
A feeling of fullness or blocked ear
Ear infection
Reduced hearing ability
Dizziness
Tinnitus

Due to the potential symptoms that can occur, we recommend that you book an appointment as early as possible.

Ear Wax Removal

When you do notice that your ears are not feeling right, there are a few different actions you can take for ear wax removal;

Ear drops

Self-treatment by putting a few drops into your ear. You can buy it from the supermarket.
May take a few days to fully clean your ears.

Irrigation

Cleans your ear canal with water to flush out the earwax.
You can do it at home, but we recommended you get a doctor or nurse to do it.

Micro suctioning

A trained clinician inserts a small surgical instrument to suck out the wax.
Quick and easy solution.

There are potential risks with all options, we suggest you take the time to do your own research.

We recommend ear suctioning as the most efficient and safest option for your ear wax removal. Just like a clogged drain can impede the flow of water, the accumulation of ear wax can build up in the ear canal and block the passage of sound. Think of micro suctioning as a gentle, precise instrument, similar to a plumber removing debris from a blocked pipe. With its vacuum-like suctioning power, micro suctioning carefully sucks up the unwanted wax, clearing the path for sounds to travel unobstructed through your ear canals once again.

In some instances, you might not require full ear suctioning, as your ears may only be slightly blocked. In this case, your GP will give you medical wax lubes instead of suction.

What to Expect during a Micro Suctioning Session

A micro suctioning session is a simple procedure. During the session, you will be asked to lie down on your back, and our experienced nurse will begin the micro-suctioning process. The procedure usually takes 25 minutes. While it is not usually painful, you might experience some discomfort or find the noise of the suction strange.

Once the procedure is complete, you are free to go home. Before the session, it is important to note that you might be given instructions on how to soften the ear wax and return for suctioning at a later date. While rare, there is a slight risk of an ear canal laceration (skin tear) and, in severe cases, an ear drum perforation, which would require immediate medical attention.

On a positive note, when you come in for your ear suctioning, we also take the opportunity to check your ears and identify potential infections or other abnormalities.

How to reduce the chance of future ear wax blockages & General Ear Cleaning

As previously mentioned, most excess earwax is due to genetics and ear canal anatomy. However, there are a few things we can do to keep our ears healthy and limit ear wax build-up;

Limit earphone/earbuds use as it pushes wax further into the ear – try headphones instead.
Avoid cotton buds or putting foreign objects into your ears. Trying to fix blockages yourself often makes things worse.
Keep your hearing aids clean – as ear wax can build up on the end of them and lead to blockages
Over cleaning your ears – despite the general build-up of wax, your ears have a self-cleaning mechanism in which it regulates the removal of excess ear wax, through chewing and talking. Constantly cleaning your ears may lead to irritation or infection.

Micro suctioning emerges as the safest and most efficient method for removing excess ear wax. This procedure, performed by our specialist trained nurses effectively relieves discomfort and restores proper hearing. By prioritizing micro suctioning and avoiding harmful practices, individuals can address blockages and maintain optimal ear health.

Book your appointment now with Ormiston Medical!