Questions and answers

What is ear wax? Everyone produces ear wax. It is a perfectly normal way that the body protects itself.

The yellow substance is secreted into the ear canal to help protect it, prevent infections and stop foreign bodies from getting in.

Do I produce more ear wax if I wear a Hearing Aid?

No, but wearing a hearing aid prevents the wax from migrating from the ear and can cause it to build up more quickly.

We would recommend wearers get their ears checked regularly for a build-up of wax, and get it removed to minimise complications. How can I get the ear wax removed? In the past your GP may have used a syringe to flush the wax out.

This is potentially harmful to the ear canal if too much pressure is used.

We use a micro-suction device, which allows the safe removal of the ear wax by inserting a small probe into the ear to vacuum out the wax. Micro-suction is the safest and quickest method of ear wax removal. Will I hear better after the ear wax removed? Too much ear wax in your ear canal can prevent sound waves from reaching your ear drum, which will lead to a drop in your ability to hear.

Removing the wax MAY allow you to hear better. Does it hurt? No it doesn’t hurt at all.the Optical Factory and Hearing Clinic use the latest medical devices and procedures to ensure the highest standards of comfort and safety. How long does it take? Wax removal usually takes between 15 - 30 minutes, depending on how much or how old the wax is. If you are bothered by ear wax, or feel that wax may be impacting on your hearing aids or hearing in general, contact us for your free assessment and wax removal appointment today.