Safe Comfortable Ear Wax Removal

Harmony Hearing employs a team of ear care specialists who can offer gentle ear cleanings and earwax removal. Instead of using a cotton bud or Q-tip to remove it, we perform micro-suction through a vacuum system.

Safe and Effective

This procedure has been tested and rated for its effectiveness on the majority of our patients. In some cases, we may have to use a softening agent for a few days before we can safely remove the wax blockage from your ear canal.

If you have any concerns or questions about this procedure, please give us a call today. Our nurses and ear care specialists will be more than happy to explain the procedure and give you the best advice on protecting your hearing aid.

Our Unique Combination Technique is Gentle, Hygienic and Effective. It is performed usually in a matter of minutes and you do not require a referral unless you have an ear infection in which prior medical treatment is required.

What Causes Ear Wax Build-up

Earwax—also known as cerumen—is secreted from glands inside the ear for the purpose of catching dust and other foreign particles before they can infect the eardrum. In most cases, the wax dries up and falls out of the ear on its own. However, about 6 per cent of all people suffer from earwax blockage, which can be a common problem for patients with hearing aids.

How Earwax Can Hurt You

When suffering from earwax blockage, a patient might experience the following symptoms:

• Constant earaches
• A sense of being "blocked" in the ear
• Persistent ringing (tinnitus)
• Itching

This would be uncomfortable for anyone, but especially so for patients fitted with a hearing aid. It can be quite a hassle to have to choose between being able to hear more effectively and feeling some relief throughout the day.

Here are some commonly asked questions about ear wax and its removal.

Q. Why do we produce ear wax?

A. It’s acts as a natural anti-bacterial substance, insect repellent and catches dust and debris. So a small amount of ear wax is actually beneficial.

Q. Why should we not clean our own ears?

A. The ears are naturally clean them selves. The cells grow from the Tympanic membrane outward and migrate out of the ear and as they do so the sweep debris and excessive wax out with them too.

Q. Why do some people produce more wax then others?

A. There can be both hereditary and environmentally factors. For example working in hot, dusty environments can exacerbate rates of accumulation. Sometimes as we age we produce more.

Q. Why is it not a good idea for people to try and remove wax themselves and put objects in their ears?

A: When we go putting objects in the ear canal such as Cotton Buds or hair clips we go against the ears natural cleaning process and people actually end up packing wax further down the ear canal. It becomes impacted against the ear canal wax making it drier and even harder to remove. There is also the risk of scratching the delicate skin of the ear canal introducing bacteria and possibility of infection.

Q. By that rational Isn’t putting a hearing aid into my ear going to cause wax problems?

A. Often custom fitting hearing aids that occlude the ear more and especially devices worn for prolonged periods of time do exacerbate wax accumulation and set up conditions that increase chances of external ear canal infections.

In these circumstances having a professionally trained clinician remove the wax and debris safely is essential in maintaining ear canal health and optimum hearing aid function.

Q. What’s the No 1. issue that prevents effective hearing aid functioning?

A. Naturally produced ear wax, other wise called cerumen is one of the main causes of ineffective hearing aid and complete device failure. It acts as a reflective barrier for the sound produced from the hearing aid preventing a clear level of sound reaching the ear-drum and increasing the likelihood of feedback.

Q. What techniques do you use for safe, gentle and effective ear wax removal?

A. We use a unique combination of techniques that have been developed over numerous years of practice and under the guidance of an experienced Ear Nose and Throat specialist Dr Alastair Mackendrick and a training course with Phonak Australia.

The methods are tailored to the individuals needs. Where possible we have a preference for using the “dry” and gentle micro-suctioning technique. This is especially necessary for people with  perforations or prone to external ear canal infections.

Q. How is this Service performed?

A. This is where we use a quality stereo microscope to accurately view the ear canal and use specialised vacuum system to gently suction away any wax and debris.

If the wax is very dry and impacted we will use a softening solution with an ear lavage wash system that puts out multiple streams of solution in warm water. It not rough like ear Syringing which puts one forceful Jet of water directed toward the sensitive ear drum.

The wax readily absorbs our solution allowing for more effective micro-suctioning.

We can also use small curettes and forceps to carefully mechanically remove debris where required.

Q. What techniques do you use for preventing ear infection?

A. We use a patented, naturally occurring anti bacterial and anti inflammatory solution to sooth ears after cleaning and minimised chances of infections.

Q. Do other hearing aid dispensers provide this service?

A. No this service is unique to Harmony Hearing. Almost all other practices defer the duty by sending people to their G.P usually for rough syringing by the nurse or if required they are referred further on to an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. This lengthy process results in big delays in optimal hearing and aid functioning. Many ‘dispensers’ without the appropriate facilities put peoples hearing aids in despite there being hazardous amounts of wax and debris present.

Q. How often would you recommend a hearing aid user visit to have their ears checked and ear wax removed?

A. That can vary on a individual basis but to ensure optimal ear canal health and hearing aid function approximately every six months. People with rapid wax accumulation would benefit from a quarterly visit. I have had people notice a reduction of their tinnitus after removal.

Q. Where can I make an appointment to have this excellent service?

A. Call our main line on 9433 3249 to make an appointment and please see our great real client testimonials on the Harmony Hearing Website.