Everyone is very different with this, and it comes down to a few different factors. Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for hearing loss and excess wax, this can come down to genetics and lifestyle. Our ears are not built for everyday life, they are made for a peaceful environment with little to no loud noises. According to CDC sirens from emergency services can be up to 120db, and motorcycles are generally around the 95db marker, if heard too often and over a long period of time this can cause irreversible damage.
Due to all the information that is available to us surrounding this, if you feel that there is something wrong with your ears it is always best to check. On your appointment, our Hearing Aid Dispenser can then advise you further on the recommendations for yourself.
Here at Signature Hearing, we use the gold standard ear wax removal and mircosuction. Before your appointment, we ask you to use olive oil, this is to soften the wax and ensure a smoother removal. On your appointment your hearing aid dispenser will ask you a series of questions, to ensure there are no contraindications, again ensuring that your wax removal is as safe as possible. As with anything there are a few small risks. These can include a ringing sound it your ear, this is due to the machine being loud and should go within 24-48 hours. A small nick in the ear, this is generally more so if you have very thin skin as the skin in your ear is very thin. Rest assured that your hearing aid dispenser will perform a safe wax removal and if required we spread the appointment over a few visits, safety is our number one priority.
On Average, according to the British Journal of General Practice, about 2.3 million people per year in the UK have troublesome earwax that requires removals. It can happen to anyone at any time and here at the Signature hearing we are here to help solve this problem.
Microsuction is the gold standard in ear wax removal. It works by using a small suction tube and probes to gently remove wax from the ear. Using our Tympa Health system we can see your ears in HD definition and have before and after photos and videos.
This can be dependent on the appointment type, generally for an ear health check-up, we screen your hearing at 4 key points and check your ears for wax or any abnormalities. This generally takes around 30 minutes. For a wax removal, this can take up to 30-45 minutes and impressions for ear defenders generally around 45 minutes.
Our ear naturally produce wax via our ceruminous and sebaceous glands, together with dried/dead skin cells. Wax is actually very important to our ear health as it can help reduce infections and can stop our ears from becoming dry and itchy. Our ears have a natural process of removing the wax from our ears called migration, however if there is to much this process cannot keep up, leading to a blockage of our ear canals. Dry skin and age can be a factor is excess wax but unfortunately there is no hard rule as to why.
No, this can be dangerous, and you can damage/perforate your ear drum, our ear canals are also very sensitive, and you can do more harm than good. Cotton buds can also push the wax further into the ear canal and against the ear drum.
For ear health care checks and impressions that can take place at the earliest availability. For wax removal it will be as soon as the patient has completed the 3-5 days of olive oil before the appointment.
We recommend Earol as it a natural and safe to use. It comes in a spray bottle making it easier for the patient to use. When using, slightly tilt your head to one side use one spray directly into your ear canal, keep your head tilted and massage the base of your ear. Repeat on the opposite side. Do this once a day for 3-5 days before your appointment.
According to the Mayo clinic these are the main symptoms of excess wax:
- Earache
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
- Ringing or noises in the ear known as tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Itchiness in the ear
- Odour or discharge in the ear
- Pain or infection in the ear
