In the event that everything is a bit muffled and your friends’ voices have trouble penetrating the ball of wax parked in your blocked ear canal, you may wish to make an appointment with an audiologist to inspect the issue and assess whether an earwax removal procedure is needed.
Traditionally, ear syringing was the go-to procedure to remove unwanted earwax, and many patients still search for this procedure as their go-to when in need or earwax removal. However, as research and technology have advanced, a new technique, mircrosuction ear wax removal, has replaced syringing as the gold standard for audiologists and healthcare practitioners.
Before we compare the two techniques however, it is important to note that many clinics, including North London Earwax Clinic, have discontinued offering ear syringing as a service due to its relative effectiveness and higher risk level when compared to microsuction ear wax removal. We discussed all the benefits of microsuction vs syringing in our recent blog.
What is Ear Syringing?
Ear syringing, or ear irrigation, is a process to remove ear wax blockages. During the procedure, a specialised low-pressure device pumps water into the ear canal to soften and loosen any wax present. This is followed by the ear being placed over a cup or basin to collect the flushed water and any dislodged ear wax.
To prepare the ear for syringing, ear drops are needed to soften the ear wax. The drops can be either clinical ones, such as hydrogen peroxide, or lubricating fluids that can be found at your local supermarket, such as olive oil. It can take several days (sometimes longer) for the softening to occur.
What Are The Risks of Ear Syringing?
One of the leading risks of ear syringing is a result of the use of water during the procedure. Water in the ear is a key cause of ear infections or otitis. It is this moist environment that provides an opportunity for bacteria and fungi to grow. As a result, ear infections are commonly called ‘swimmer’s ear’ due to the increased possibility of water-logged ears after spending time in the pool.
Other risks of ear syringing include perforation of the eardrum and trauma to the external auditory meatus (a pathway running from the outer ear to the inner ear).
There is also the risk that the ear wax will not be removed – a publication in The British Medical Journal found that this was the case in 29% of procedures.
Research suggests that the risks from ear syringing are also exacerbated with age. With ageing, hearing loss is more likely to occur due to wax build-up, as the glands in our ears that produce ear wax (cerumen) become drier.
With all the inherent risks, ear syringing is not typically the best solution for all patients, and as research and technology have advanced, new and improved earwax removal techniques have been implemented by audiologist and health clinicians, including techniques such as microsuction.
Takeaway
The main takeaway is that while somewhat effective, ear syringing has fallen out of favour among audiologists and health practitioners. It has been replaced by microsuction earwax removal, a less intrusive procedure that is not only more effective but also much safer.
So, if you are still wondering which removal method is right for you, then this should be a clear signal that it is better to opt for microsuction earwax removal rather than ear syringing.
Microsuction Earwax Removal
A Safer Alternative to Ear Syringing
Microsuction is a painless, clean and safe procedure for removing excess ear wax. In this procedure, a small endoscopic camera is inserted into your ear. This enables your audiologist to get a clear view of the situation before a precise suction device is used to effectively clean your ear.
How Is Microsuction Different From Ear Syringing?
Both methods of ear wax removal can show positive results. However, preliminary evidence in the National Institue For Health and Care Research suggests that microsuction offers fewer risks, particularly for patients who have existing ear conditions. The precision of the tooling available to audiologists means that microsuction can be used even when the patient has had an ear infection or a perforated eardrum. The gentle suction of the tool ensures that you experience minimal discomfort during the process. This is opposed to ear syringing which is less precise and more obtrusive.
What Are The Benefits of Microsuction Earwax Removal?
Microsuction ear wax removal has the advantage of using an endoscopic camera to show the audiologist exactly where to remove the wax from, unlike other procedures which simply flush ear wax out of the ear without any visual aids to guide them. Through the use of an endoscope, the audiologist has a clear view of the ear canal and what they are doing, making this procedure incredibly safe in comparison. There is no unpleasant sensation or irritation associated with microsuction, as the tools provide high precision, which helps us avoid touching or damaging the ear canal.
While you can use softening ear drops to soften ear wax, microsuction can remove it immediately and you will see a difference instantly. In most cases, the appointment can be scheduled over a lunch break, as it only takes 30 minutes, and usually does not require follow-up visits. You should also be able to hear the difference immediately following your appointment if a build-up of ear wax has caused you any hearing issues. What’s more, we will provide you with before and after pictures so you can see the results for yourself!
As opposed to ear syringing and irrigation, microsuction ear wax removal does not create any mess. With no fluids, drops, or gels to use, the entire procedure is cleaner and more hygienic. This also means that microsuction ear wax removal does not have the same risk of infection associated with other methods of ear wax removal as it is considered a ‘dry’ procedure - no liquids are used in the process.
As microsuction ear wax removal does not require liquids to be introduced into the ear, it is much safer for those who have perforated eardrums or pre-existing hearing conditions. Furthermore, thanks to the endoscope, which allows the audiologist to view exactly what they're doing, we can carefully avoid any issue that would cause discomfort or exacerbate any pre-existing conditions.
Microsuction involves using a specialist oto-endoscope that provides a complete view of the ear canal. This allows audiologists to work safely and precisely, as opposed to the more speculative nature of ear syringing.
When it comes to your health, you don't want to take any chances. Healthcare practitioners cannot offer microsuction as a service unless they have received specialist training with the equipment, whereas ear syringing does not require specific training. As such, to avoid the risk of being treated by a non-qualified individual, it is safer to opt for a microsuction procedure.
Book Your Microsuction Earwax Removal Appointment Today
At North London Earwax, our specialist audiologists offer a professional micro suction service, removing built-up ear wax safely and efficiently. We work with a range of patients, specialising in anxiety-prone clients and children over the age of 6.
You can choose to visit our clinic in North London or request an appointment in the comfort of your own home, which we will carry out with the help of our mobile ear wax removal clinic. Simply fill in our online contact form to speak to one of our friendly staff to find out more about the services we offer.
All our services are carried out by qualified audiologists, who provide the utmost care and attention to each client, and we’ll even provide you with a before and after photo of your ears using our iCLEARSCOPE camera to show you the results. We always carry out a check before the procedure, and you will only pay for the consultation if no earwax is detected or we are unable to remove it.
In-Clinic Appointments
We offer convenient in-clinic appointments in our comfortable North London consulation room. We currently offer in-clinic appointments on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
£65 One or Both Ears
Home Visits
We can carry out microsution in the confort of your own home. Our mobile earwax removal service is particulaly suitable for less mobile and anxious patients.
£80 One or Both Ears
