Located in the heart of Old Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, Doctor Now offers comprehensive and advanced earwax removal. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional care tailored to each patient's needs, ensuring a comfortable and efficient experience. To accommodate diverse schedules, we provide the added convenience of extended opening hours, making our specialised services accessible and convenient.
Earwax, medically known as cerumen, plays a crucial role in protecting our ears from dust, debris, and infections. However, when earwax builds up excessively, it can lead to discomfort, hearing difficulties and ear infections. Understanding the most effective methods of earwax removal is essential for maintaining ear health and clear hearing.
What causes earwax?
Earwax is produced by the body to lubricate and protect the ear canal. It’s made from oil secretions from the ear canal, which mix with shed skin cells and small hairs to create a protective coating. Normally, it slowly moves towards the ear opening, where it dries up and falls out naturally.
However, certain factors can disrupt this process, leading to the accumulation of earwax:
Overproduction: Some individuals naturally produce more earwax than others.
Blockage: Using cotton swabs or other objects to clean the ears can push earwax deeper into the ear canal, causing blockages.
Ear Canal Shape: The shape of the ear canal can sometimes make it difficult for earwax to exit naturally.
Signs of excessive earwax: includes (but not limited to) earache or discomfort, decreased hearing, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), feeling of fullness in the ear, itching or drainage from the ear.
How is earwax removed?
At DoctorNow, we offer a range of safe and effective ear wax removal options. On examination of your ears during your appointment, our clinician will be able to determine the best solution for you involving one or more of the following techniques:
- Microsuction – this involves the clinician looking in your ear with a microscope which magnifies the ear. This makes it easier to assess and clean the ear using a suction device that does not require water.
- Irrigation – this involves the clinician flushing the ear with a gentle flow of warm water using specialist medical equipment.
- Instrumentation – this involves the clinician using a specialist medical instrument called a Jobson–Horne probe, which can be used to remove a collection of earwax or other obstruction that is located by the opening of the ear canal.
Maintaining proper ear hygiene is essential for preserving ear health and preventing complications associated with earwax buildup. By understanding the causes of earwax accumulation and knowing how to safely remove it, individuals can enjoy clearer hearing and a reduced risk of ear-related problems.
Earwax Health Concerns
Can excess earwax cause tinnitus?
In addition to general hearing loss, excessive earwax can lead to other complications including tinnitus. If it is established during your assessment that the build-up of earwax is the only like cause of tinnitus; safely removing it should alleviate the symptoms.
Can excess earwax cause dizziness?
There are many causes of dizziness, however, both dizziness and vertigo can be caused by excess earwax pushing against the tympanic membrane (eardrum). This can affect balance and cause nausea, however, if surplus earwax is determined as the root cause, successful removal by a skilled clinician should alleviate these symptoms.
Can excess earwax cause ear infection?
Whilst earwax serves to protect the ear canal from dust, dirt, and foreign particles that could cause damage to the ear or lead to infections, impacted earwax can have the opposite effect and cause an infection and associated symptoms such as pain, itchiness and fever. If impacted wax is removed at the earliest opportunity, infection can be avoided.
Can excess earwax be painful?
Yes, excessive earwax can be painful and cause itchiness and headaches. If an infection spreads to other areas such as the sinuses, patients can experience jaw, neck or dental pain. Early diagnosis and treatment will avoid unnecessary complications.
Can I be treated if I don’t live in Beaconsfield?
Although we are located in Beaconsfield, we offer earwax removal to patients across all of Buckinghamshire and the Home Counties.
We serve patients from Beaconsfield, Amersham, Gerrards Cross, Chalfont St Peter, Chalfont St Giles, Little Chalfont, High Wycombe, Marlow, Henley-on-Thames, Maidenhead & Windsor and further afield including patients working or living in London.
To book an appointment for earwax removal, call us on 01494 410 888.