Dr Lara Geerlings

Earwax Removal: Why Microsuction?

Do you have earwax buildup?

If you're experiencing hearing loss, ear discomfort, or a feeling of fullness in your ear, impacted earwax may be the cause. While earwax is essential for ear health, buildup can block the canal and require professional removal.

Understanding earwax

Earwax, otherwise known as cerumen, plays an important role in our ear health. Not only does it form a protective barrier preventing dust and debris falling deep into the ear canal but it also has antibacterial properties helping to prevent infection in the ear. It is important to try to leave it alone as much as possible and the medical recommendation in general is not to instrument the ear canal at all and allow for the ear to 'self clean' which it does with the aid of tiny hairs and migratory skin cells lining the ear canal.

When this fails some patients form impacted hard wax plugs in the ear canal and can be left with pain, loss of hearing, dizziness, itching and occasionally vertigo. The risk of this happening is increased in people who wear devices in their ears such as headphones or hearing aids.

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Removal options

Softener Drops

‍The safest and most gentle option. There are many brands available and the principle is to soften the wax by different methods. The safest are simple olive oil drops. Patients should be aware that wax softening drops can contain nut oils and this can lead to anaphylaxis in nut allergic patients. It is otherwise very safe but can be ineffective if the wax is very hard or if devices in the ear are still in place.

Cotton Buds

‍Common but not recommended. They often result in further impaction of the wax, damage to the self cleaning ability of the ear and sometimes lost cotton tips. They also often make hearing worse and other ear wax removal strategies more painful as the wax is then stuck directly to the drum. Best avoided.

Ear Candling

‍Not recommended. It is dangerous as it can lead to injury from an open flame near the skin and the 'wax' which is said to be removed is actually a part of the candle itself. This method is best avoided altogether.

Ear Syringing

‍Commonly performed in General Practice and can be effective in removing wax by flushing warm water through the ear canal and washing out the blockage.

Microsuction – The Gold Standard

‍Microsuction is the safest active removal method for wax. It is performed under direct visualisation of the tympanic membrane and allows for targeted wax removal with a small suction tip with a much reduced risk of perforation of the ear drum and less risk of infection in the ear canal than syringing. It is also suitable for patients with underlying ear conditions such as perforated ear drum as well as conditions which make infection more likely such as diabetes.

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Microsuction at Crown West Medical

I am delighted to be able to offer ear microsuction to patients at Crownwest Medical.

The procedure is offered to patients who are assessed as being suitable and are over the age of 16 years.

Microsuction costs $180. Discounts are available for pensioners and healthcare card holders. Medicare rebates apply.