Ear Wax Removal Service
Our audiologist, with a specialisation in ear wax removal, can perform this procedure in comfort of your own home or our clinic. We use micro-suction as our chosen method of wax removal, as micro-suction is the most effective and safest way of removing ear wax, and is widely considered the gold standard method. We do not use syringe/water removal of ear wax. Our audiologist is both fully trained and medically insured to perform this procedure.
What to expect during the removal
Before the procedure, our audiologist will conduct a thorough ear health check to ensure safety. You do not need to use ear drops prior to wax removal. This procedure may not be suitable for those with a history of ear surgery. The procedure generally lasts 30 minutes, but in cases of heavy wax buildup, it may extend to an hour.
During the procedure, a head-mounted microscope with a suction device is used. This machine functions like a vacuum to extract the wax. Depending on the wax volume and duration in the ear, your audiologist may also employ curettage and forceps in conjunction with microsuction. You might experience slight sensitivity during wax removal.
All ear wax appointments include the following
Pricing
Ear wax removal prices below are for in-clinic appointments, please click the drop down arrow for home-visit charges.
Ear wax removal (2 ears) $150
FAQ about ear wax
Ear canal anatomy plays a big part - in relation to bends and the width of the canal, which can cause some ears to be more prone to wax blockages than others. That's why people might find one ear blocks routinely more than the other. As we age, the body is not as effective at removing wax naturally. This leads to frequent blockages in older people, and is a widely known issue in the elderly. Hearing aid use can increase wax blockages. Genetics pays a role in wax blockages - some people are simply more prone to producing ear wax, while others are not.
Ear discomfort - the feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear. The feeling of something "clicking" or moving around in the ear. Tinnitus - the sensation of "buzzing", "humming" or "clicking" noises within the ears. Balance problems - in severe cases, balance can be impacted by a wax blockage. Hearing loss - in extreme cases of wax build up, a condutive hearing loss can occur. Increased risk of ear infections - if ear wax is fully occluding the ear canal, a risk of an inner-ear infection or fungal infection is increased, leading to more complications.
What is the most effective way to manage my ear wax?
The best way to manage ear wax is to prevent a blockage occuring in the first place. This can be done by using over-the-counter pharmacy wax drops once a day, 1-2 times per month. The method for procedure is as follows: tilt the head to the side and fill up the canal with the wax drop liquid, holding the ear tilted for a further 2 minutes. Once completed, allow some water from your shower head to trickle down the ear canal. This helps loosen and remove the already softened wax. Generally this should be done for atleast 2-3 repeats, once a day. If this procedure does not work after 4-5 repeats, you will need to have the wax professionally removed by an audiologist or medical professional. The best wax drops to use is our opinion is " Ear Clear ", which comes in both a drop or spray application. It is available at most pharmacies as OTC.
The short answer to this is, no, it is not. Cotton swabs often push wax deeper into the ear canal, exacerbating the issue. If cotton swabs are used, they should only be applied to the outer entrance of the canal, gently rolling the swab around the area. However, utilising ear drops once or twice a month serves as a more effective way to manage ear wax. Consequently, we do not endorse the use of cotton swabs for ear wax removal.
