Ear wax is a natural bodily secretion which, if it builds up, can cause problems with hearing, ear ache, tinnitus and dizziness. In most cases it removes itself, but in others it may have to be removed by a trained ENT health professional.
There are a number of causes for ear wax build-up:
There are a range of symptoms which might improve when the ear wax is removed. These include ear ache, hearing loss, tinnitus, itchiness, dizziness and/or ear infections.
If you think you have a build-up of ear wax, do not try to remove it with your finger, cotton bud or anything else you could put in your ear – this can cause damage and push the wax further into your ear. As a general rule, never try to put anything into your ear which is smaller than your elbow!
Where ear wax is causing you minor symptoms, speak to your pharmacist about ear drops which soften the wax and help it to drop out naturally. Do not use drops if you have a perforated ear drum, and stop using them if they cause irritation.
Here is when to seek treatment:
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.
Depending on the severity of the ear wax build up, a matter of minutes.
Ear wax removal is carried out as a day case procedure, so there is no need to stay in hospital overnight.
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.
A pre-treatment assessment should reveal any perforation or tears to the ear drum, which would rule out some treatments. If the assessment does not show up a perforation or tear and you know you have had one, you should let the nurse or doctor know – carrying out some treatments where there is a damaged ear drum can cause problems. Some treatments may cause discomfort or symptom recurrence in people who have conditions of the inner ear such as Menières disease. Again, it is important to let the nurse or doctor know if you have such a condition before treatment begins.
A pre-operative assessment is our opportunity to ensure that the procedure for which you have been referred is right for you. We’ll explain your treatment to you and makes sure that you are well enough to go ahead with it. It is also your opportunity to meet the team who will care for you and to ask any questions.
We carry out all the necessary tests and examinations in one outpatient session. While this may take several hours, everything is done in one go to save frequent visits before surgery.
We have nine hospitals across England, from Derbyshire to Plymouth and from Bristol to Kent. All are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC, so whichever Practice Plus Group Hospital you choose, you’ll receive the same high quality care.
Enquire about treatment at our Devizes hospital or view all of our locations.
A member of the Practice Plus Group team will take payment over the phone when they make the outpatient appointment booking for you.
You can pay for your surgery by debit card, credit card or through a bank transfer (BACS). We accept all major cards except American Express and Diners Club. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept payment by cheque.
We require payment in full to have been received at least seven days before the planned date of your surgery.
Yes, there are a number of different loans available through our partner Chrysalis Medical Finance. You will need to have an agreement in place with Chrysalis Medical Finance two weeks before the planned date of your surgery.
Please contact your private medical insurer to find out if your policy will cover the surgery that has been recommended and that it can take place at a Practice Plus Group hospital. Currently, we are unable to accept Bupa policyholders if they are making payment through their policy.
