What to expect
Microsuction is a water free, safe and gentle method of removing wax and debris from the ear canal. All our Audiologists have undertaken specialist training in wax management including microsuctioning, irrigation and mechanical removal.
Build-up of excessive earwax is a common condition and can cause several undesirable symptoms including hearing loss, tinnitus, otalgia (ear pain) and ear pressure. If you’re a hearing aid wearer, large amounts of ear wax inside the ear canal can also create issues with excessive feedback (squealing) or sound blockages in your devices.
The process.
Preparation
After making your booking with us, we recommended you use wax softening drops from your chemist for the 3 days prior to your appointment. If you do not have any drops then a few drops of olive oil also works effectively. This will ensure the highest chance of a smooth and successful procedure.
Otoscopic Inspection
Using a head worn medical scope, we will inspect your ear canals prior to your procedure.
Microsuction Wax Removal
The audiologist will use a thin steel probe attached to a special vacuum unit to gently provide suction to dislodge and remove the wax. During the procedure you will experience some loud noise inside your ear and we ask that you remain as still as possible. The whole process is quite comfortable and is completed within a 30-minute appointment.
Manual Wax Removal
Sometimes not all of the wax will dislodge during the microsuction procedure. In these cases, your specialist may use a curette to manually remove or clear any remaining blockage.
Follow up
Microsuction earwax removal generally has a very high success rate and single appointment without follow up is the likely outcome for the majority of clients.
In some instances, your ear wax may be too substantial or firm to successfully remove. In such cases, a second visit will be scheduled for 1-2 weeks’ time to complete the process. NOTE - All subsequent visits will be billed at a 50% discount.
Microsuction Wax Removal FAQs
The cost for a 30min wax removal session is $110 (inc. GST).
No referral is necessary for microsuction wax removal, although your GP may refer you to us.
We allow a 30 minute session to complete the procedure on both ears, which is easily achieved in most cases.
Known by its medical name cerumen, ear wax is a natural substance produced by special glands in your ear canal. Made up of a mixture of dead skin cells, hair and other oily secretions, ear wax plays an important protective and antibacterial role for your ears.
It is healthy for your ears to contain wax, and in most cases your ears will self-clean with the wax migrating and dropping out of the ear on its own. However, certain factors can sometimes lead to inproper wax migration thus creating a build up or impaction. These factors include regular use of ear phones or hearing aids, bendy or hairy ear canals and dusty work environments.
Common symptoms of excessive wax build up include: sudden hearing loss, otalgia (ear pain), tinnitus, ear pressure or fullness and itchy ears.
Microsuction is a very safe procedure and is by far the most preferred method of wax removal. In some cases mild discomfort, dizziness or tinnitus may be experienced. These symptoms will generally subside quickly after the procedure has ended.
Given the ears are self cleaning, the use of cotton buds is not necessary and can lead to the following risks or complications: ear drum or middle ear damage, stripping the ears of their natural layer of defensive ear wax, itchy ears, environmental wastage and ear infections resulting from broken or dislodged cotton bud tips.
Often seen as an alternative home remedy for wax removal, ear candling in theory creates suction to draw wax and debris out of the ear canal. It comes with a high level of risk and has no scientific backing to prove its effectiveness. In addition to the risks involved with cotton buds, ear candling can also cause burns to your scalp and ears and is not recommended by health professionals.