MICROSUCTION EAR WAX REMOVAL
by Jason Levy
Posted on 13-12-2019 09:22 PM
MICROSUCTION EAR WAX REMOVAL
Micro-suction as a tool for ear wax removal has been around for a very long time. Generally, most ent departments used micro-suction to remove ear wax from the ear canals of people with perforations or large cavities after mastoid operations. The reason was simple, removal of ear wax using water could be dangerous for these people.
We mainly use microsuction as our preferred option as it is cleaner, non invasive and significantly quicker than irrigation and find that most people find it more comfortable. Our recommendation if you have wax is to put olive oil, or preferably sodium bicarbonate ear drops in to your ears 2 to 3 days prior to your appointment as this will aid removal.
Wax is the body’s natural protection of the ear canal, but too much of it can cause problems. We went to the clear ear clinic in oxford to get our ears cleared with a procedure called microsuction. It's done with a tiny vacuum that hoovers everything that's in the ear gently. It takes around 15 minutes to clean both ears.
A lot of people use eardrops as the first option for wax removal. These may soften or loosen the wax so it can work its way out naturally. There are many ear drops on the market. The active ingredients tend to be hydrogen peroxide, sodium bicarbonate, or sodium chloride. These drops might be effective but they can also be irritating for people with sensitive skin.
If ear drops or ear irrigation do not work, other options include: microsuction, which is a quick and comparatively painless treatment involving a small device which sucks out the wax from your ear. This is usually a safe option even if you have a damaged ear drum. An aural toilet uses a thin instrument with a hoop at one end to clean your ear and remove the wax.
Traditionally, ear wax is removed by ‘syringing’, which means water is forced into your ear canal to clear the wax. Here’s why modern microsuction is better: it isn’t messy, like water. It’s much safer than syringing. Water irrigation can lead to bleeding and soreness from bruising or a resulting infection. When it goes badly wrong, syringing can perforate your ear drum or lead to tinnitus or hearing loss. Whereas microsuction is safe even if you’ve had a perforated ear drum in the past.
Microsuction is a safe and comfortable way to remove earwax
Using our services ensures that you have your earwax removed safely, quickly and by a person you can trust. The process is usually over in a few minutes and the majority of people find it easy and comfortable. The technique is the safest way to remove earwax as the professional can see everything they are doing during the removal.
Ear microsuction is the most effective and safest form of earwax removal as it avoids touching the sensitive area around the ear canal and evades contact with the ear drum. A low pressure suction probe is used to gently and safely remove earwax. This technique of ear wax removal does not use high pressure water unlike ‘syringing’, therefore allowing microsuction to be the safest, fastest and cleanest method of choice.
Ear wax microsuction is a procedure which uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome ear wax. It is performed with the aid of a surgical microscope and a calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids. Ear wax microsuction is one of the safest, most effective, quickest and most comfortable methods of removing ear wax. Usually micro suction does not need pre-treatment with drops but two days of earol (clinically treated olive oil) is the best preparation. One of our audiologists will examine your ear using a microscope (either fixed or with loupes glasses) and, using a fine low pressure suction device, safely remove the blockage. Also, using a video otoscope we will show you the condition of the ear before and after the treatment.
Microsuction is a procedure which uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome earwax. It is performed with the aid of an operating microscope and a finely calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids. You may be asked to use olive oil spray or drops for several days beforehand. This will make the treatment easier for you. Occasionally we may need to use other instruments to remove hard wax. The technique means that we can always see what we are doing and can avoid touching the skin of the sides of the ear canal which makes the process a lot more comfortable.
Unlike ear syringing or ear irrigation , where ear wax is flushed out ‘blindly’, with microscopic and microsuction ear wax removal the ear wax is being directly visualised under the microscope whilst it is being removed. This makes the procedure much quicker, safer and comfortable for the patient. Other benefits of microscopic and microsuction ear wax removal include: Microsuction is the safest technique for clearing ear wax from the ear canal. It is much safer than syringing. The microscope offers extremely magnified vision so the nurses can see extremely well, therefore they can remove wax/debris without touching the ear canal walls – a comfortable, safe procedure. The magnified view allow the ear nurse therapist to assess the ear canal and ear drum to make a diagnosis.
Microsuction for Ear Wax, Discharge or Debris Removal in Secondary Care Policy
Microsuction is a safe, quick and painless method of removing a build-up of ear wax in the ear canals using a medical suction pump, suction wand and an ear endoscope to enable observation by the practitioner. This sterile vacuum breaks down and removes the ear wax very gently from the canals. This method was traditionally only used in hospitals or ent clinics; however, it has now become more widely available as a service in private ear clinics. Microsuctioning is considered to be the safest and fastest method of ear wax removal by far, leaving you with clean ear canals.
We use a set of high-powered magnification loupes and a special speculum to see clearly into the ear canal. The canula is then entered into the ear canal and is used to gently suck out the ear wax. The entire process usually takes no longer than twenty minutes.
Our registered nurse has specialist training in ear wax removal using microsuction allowing us to offer a fast, safe and high-quality service to adults and children at very competitive prices. Microsuction is a wax removal technique using a precision suction apparatus to suction unwanted or obstructing skin cells and wax from the ear canal. We use surgical lenses which provide binocular magnification so that the tip of the suction tube is always under direct vision.
Ear wax removal is commonly carried out in gp surgeries or audiology clinics using ear irrigation which involves injecting a jet of water into the ear to remove the wax. Microsuction ear wax removal has many benefits in comparison: safer – the clinician can see what he/she is doing. Faster – it provides immediate results.
Clinical ear care, otherwise known as wax removal, can be very beneficial to people using hearing aids to increase the usefulness of their aids. We call wax removal clinical ear care as we are able to use a variety of techniques in one session. These techniques may not all be needed and we would try for microsuction ear wax removal first.
how to remove ear wax using microsuction
With the ear wax removed, any symptoms caused by the wax disappear quickly. If you are prone to ear wax build-up your doctor may recommend using ear drops to keep the wax soft and help it remove itself, but this advice will only be given if drops are right for you.
Unlike other ear wax removal techniques such as ear syringing or ear irrigation, you will not need to do any preparation work before you visit us. While it may help to use ear drops before the removal, it is not necessary because our equipment will be able to remove it safely.
Using a finely calibrated suction device, we are able to safely remove excess wax without the introduction of any materials or liquids. A typical appointment to remove wax from both ears should take no longer than 30 minutes. With the use of video otoscopy we will demonstrate the blockage to you prior to your appointment and post procedure to give you piece of mind that your ears are clear from wax.
Suitable for small amounts of ear wax near the entrance of the canal. Wax is removed using a jobson horne as seen below.
Wax microsuction is the gold standard ear wax removal technique. It involves the use of an air suction device at low operating pressure to remove wax from the ear, all performed under an operating microscope. It is the safest and quickest means to conveniently remove ear wax and allows full visualisation of the ear canal so that any touching of the sensitive skin layer or fine hairs within the ear canal can, in most instances, be avoided. It is advised that wax softening drops (such as earol) are used by patients a few days prior to attending for wax removal.
Emma is a microsuction ear wax removal specialist and nurse (rgn) with over 25 years experience. Emma is trained to recognise abnormalities. If one is found emma can make an immediate referral back to your own gp, or to the local acute hospital if your condition is considered urgent.
When it comes to the safe and effective removal of earwax, there are three methods that an audiologist can use: irrigation, mechanical removal and microscopic suction (microsuction). Many of you may be familiar with irrigation (flushing of the ear with warm water). Mechanical removal requires excellent visualization of the ear canal while using an appropriately selected tool to remove the wax. These tools include various types of loops, scoops and forceps. Microscopic suction involves suctioning “vacuuming” the ear canal while visualized under a microscope.
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