The equipment used for ear wax removal by microsuction
The equipment used for ear wax removal by microsuction
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.
We’ve all heard of ear wax and ear wax removal- most of us have seen our own ear wax at some point. We know it as the yellowy, brown substance – not too appealing to look at and perhaps even a source of embarrassment if it becomes visible! However, this yellowy substance has more to it than meets the eye.
The Benefits of Microsuction Ear Wax Removal
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.
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.
Micro-suction ear wax removal is one of the safest methods of ear cleaning and it is an ideal method of wax removal for people who have had a perforation to their eardrum or who have had any mid-ear surgery. Microsuction uses no water for the ear wax removal and there is no mess and little fuss.
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.
An Accurate View of The Ear Canal
Microsuction is the term used for cleaning ear canals under the magnified view of a surgical microscope, and using a tiny vacuum cleaner and/or tiny instruments to remove ear wax.
Following an initial discussion regarding your health and hearing, we begin by examining your ears using a fibre optic camera. The camera sits just at the entrance of the ear, and enables both you and the audiologist to view your ear canal and ear drum on a large screen. We will examine both ears, before proceeding with any wax removal required. Following treatment, we will show you your ear canals and drums again, this time without any wax blockage.
As the name suggests, microsuction employs a tiny suction tube to gently remove excess wax from your ear canal. We also use a microscope to target locations where wax has built up. Because we have a better view of your ear, microsuction is faster than irrigation, typically lasting just a few minutes. It is generally considered free from discomfort and like irrigation we usually ask that you use sodium bicarbonate eardrops beforehand.
Microsuction uses a binocular microscope which gives us an especially good view of both the ear canal and any ear wax obstruction. This means we have a clear view of what we are doing, making it much safer and easier to do.
Earwax should be removed if it is totally blocking the ear canal and one of the following: the person is symptomatic (with conductive hearing loss, earache, tinnitus or vertigo) the tympanic membrane is obscured by wax but needs to be viewed to establish a diagnosis the person wears a hearing aid and an impression needs to be taken for a mould, or wax is causing the hearing-aid to whistle.