Wax Removal
Ear wax removal by irrigation
At Advance Hearing Blackrock we are able to provide an earwax removal service.
Ear wax removal by irrigation replaces the old fashioned technique of ear syringing. It is a far safer and much more effective method of ear cleaning. It uses an electronic pulse ear irrigation machine to remove ear wax. The machine contains a storage reservoir unit for water and a hand-held nozzle which gently pumps water into the ear canal at a controlled and steady rate. The water breaks down and dislodges the ear wax that has built-up, it then flushes the ear wax out of the canal and it is captured in a flask called a noots tank.
It would be helpful if for a few days leading up to the appointment for our patients to apply a few drops of olive oil sprays to the affected ear canal(s) twice daily before we conduct the irrigation. You can purchase olive oil sprays through our outlets or from your local pharmacist. If your ear canal is not suitable for ear irrigation then we can remove the wax manually through the use of instruments which hook the wax out of the ear, however the vast majority of people can benefit from the gentle approach of irrigation.
Please note that ear irrigation is not appropriate if you have:
A perforated eardrum, or if you have had a perforation in the last 12 months
Previously had problems with irrigation, such as pain in your ear or severe dizziness/vertigo
Have a discharge of mucus from your ear or have had an ear infection in the preceding two months
Have recurring or persistent infections in your ear canals
You have had any ear surgery (apart from cases of extruded grommets which had come out at least 18 months beforehand) or had a middle ear infection (otitis media) in the past six weeks.