Worried you may have an ear wax issue? A build-up of ear wax can be problematic, and it can bring with it a number of problems ranging from mild hearing loss to serious infections. It’s important to avoid unnecessary build-ups in order to prevent problems in the future and if you are concerned you should contact a professional.
At South East Hearing Care Centres we have years of experience in ear wax removal and will make you feel comfortable throughout the treatment. We can also suggest ways to manage earwax build-up and advise if any further treatment is needed.
Here are the six main symptoms of ear wax build-up that may indicate that ear wax removal is required. If you’d like to speak to our team, please call your nearest clinic.
6 ear wax build-up symptoms
1. Earache
There could be any number of signs of earache, from a dull ache to sharp pains felt in the ear itself, so it’s important to get to the bottom of the problem. As this is one of the more common symptoms of ear wax build-up, we’d advise you to book a wax check at the earliest possible opportunity.
When wax is blocking the ear canal, we are unable to view the eardrum. This structure is crucial to determining ear health and especially the middle ear where a lot of infections can occur and can result in pain. Removing the wax allows us to give a more accurate diagnosis.
2. Hearing loss
If you’ve been struggling to hear conversations recently, or perhaps you’ve turned the TV sound levels up higher than usual, it would be a good idea to get your hearing checked.
If the problems have been caused by a build-up of wax, the issue can be dealt with quickly and easily by the experts. We receive numerous comments on how hearing has been restored or how loud the world is now after wax removal.
3. Tinnitus
One of the main symptoms of tinnitus is a regular buzzing or humming noise that comes from within. Although it’s a problematic condition, in many cases tinnitus can be treated with a minimum of fuss.
Wax removal by either irrigation or micro suction will often provide the solution for tinnitus sufferers. The brain will often make up the sounds it cannot hear because of obstruction and this is called tinnitus. Invariably wax removal will lessen the amplitude of the tinnitus and in many cases it abates altogether.
4. Itchiness
One of the most frustrating by-products of a wax build-up is a feeling of itchiness inside the ear canal. This often occurs in a location that you just can’t get to, so make sure you visit your local hearing centre so the experts can alleviate your symptoms.
Remember, don’t put cotton buds or other items into the ear, as this can lead to further problems. During our medical questionnaire prior to wax removal we ask if there are signs of psoriasis or eczema. This can be treated and may not be caused by the ear wax itself.
5. Vertigo
Our ability to balance is linked to our ears, and in some cases a feeling of dizziness can result from build-ups of wax. Most of the time, ear wax passes out of the ears in a natural way, causing no issues whatsoever. If it remains and builds up, however, a feeling of disorientation can result.
The first course of action and the simplest is to remove obstruction from your ears. After this we can monitor and see if the balance issues are more deep seated and require further investigation.
6. Ear infection
An infection in the ears can lead to a number of problems, including a feeling of itchiness, pain in the ears and even a discharge. It’s often the case that clearing the build-up of wax will be all it takes to alleviate the situation. If there is something more serious, you can arrange a comprehensive consultation with our hearing professionals.
If we do find evidence of an infection, we are happy to share our images and information with your GP, with your permission. We want you to get the best treatment as soon as possible.
We always maintain best practice and give detailed advice on how to maintain the health of your ears. We want the intervals between wax removal procedures to increase and become longer and longer. Follow our advice and we will improve your ear health and save you money. Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ears!
Our ear wax removal services
How do you treat a build-up of earwax? Our clinic offers treatment either by micro suction or irrigation completed by qualified audiologists.
Micro suction is a pain free procedure that involves a microscopic examination to discover where in your ear needs micro suction. Once found, a suction tool is used to remove ear wax and any debris from blocking the ear.
Irrigation involves directing a flow of water into the ear canal to clear earwax. The water is around body temperature and will be applied with minimal pressure. Whilst it can cause some discomfort, it isn’t a painful procedure.
Dry wax removal is when we use tools like a Jobson Horne and miniature forceps to gently tease the wax and remove it from the ear.
Discuss with our experts which might be the best solution for your needs.
Safety, technology and customer care
The most important aspect of any procedure is safety. This is why we invest in the very best equipment and all our clinics utilise tiny cameras which are gently inserted into your ear canal to determine the health or otherwise of your ear and what needs to be done.
We also take images after a completed procedure to show you the efficacy of what we have done and explain to you the current health of your ear and how to maintain its optimum condition. This is done using a large screen so you can see the constituent parts of your ear.
Any wax removal procedure we perform is undertaken using a high powered microscope which illuminates and magnifies the ear canal far more effectively than simple head loupes or head torches.
Before you book a wax removal, always ask whether cameras are used before and after that you can view on a screen, and are microscopes used for the best view and safest way to carry out wax removal? However, don’t just take our word for how good and efficient we are, simply check out our live reviews on our home page.
Book an appointment with South East Hearing Care Centres
Our team is on hand to answer any questions you may have and to offer impartial advice on the best course of action for your earwax build-up. Call us at Horsham (01403 218863), Chichester (01243 774536) or Seaford (01323 899655), or book an appointment below.