Ask Dr Miriam

QI get a lot of wax in my ears and I see my doctor periodically to have them syringed. He says I should have microsuction and I want to know what this is.

AMicrosuction is used to remove impacted ear debris, wax or a foreign body which is causing pain, ringing in the ears or impaired hearing.

When syringing doesn’t clear the debris and particularly if the ear canal is narrow, microsuction is an alternative way to clear it. A suction device, guided by microscopic visualisation, is used. It’s the most common method of earwax removal at ENT clinics. After microsuction, patients generally get immediate release from symptoms of deafness, pain and pressure. Always refrain from using cotton buds because you may push the wax deeper into your ear canal. Keep water out of your ear canal too.