Northern Clinics Blog Posts

Ear health service and wax removal

Nov 22, 2024

Ear health service and wax removal

Are you fed up with having blocked ears? Do you have ear discomfort, itching or difficulty hearing? Could it be ear wax build up? At Northern Clinics we are delighted to offer a 3-in-1 private ear health service which includes hearing assessment, wax removal and infection management.

In years gone by, ear wax removal using syringing methods, was a core service offered by many NHS GP practices. However, a lot of NHS GPs have now stopped providing ear wax removal services. Instead, patients who need treatment are sometimes referred to their local hospital trust. As a result of long waiting lists in some trusts, more and more patients are now seeking advice and treatment privately.

Why choose Northern Clinics?

At Northern Clinics, we pride ourselves in offering a convenient, safe and effective ear health service delivered by our trained pharmacists using the Tympa platform. All pharmacists offering this service have undergone training at the TympaHealth Academy and are certified Tympa Practitioners. This training ensures they can provide the highest level of service in ear examinations and the safe removal of wax. Appointments at our clinics are often available within days to help sort your ear problems as soon as possible. Our priority is to help you maximise your ear health and hearing quickly and safely. Keep reading to learn more about the newest micro suction method for ear wax removal that is used in our clinics and how we can help.

When ear wax causes problems

Ear wax is essential for keeping the inside of your ears healthy and protects them from germs and dirt. Although our ears are seen as “self- cleaning” and wax normally comes out on its own, it can build and cause discomfort and issues with hearing. Problems are frequently seen in those with narrow or hairy ear canals, in swimmers or in those who wear earplugs or earphones a lot. As we get older our ear wax also becomes drier and so these problems tend to get worse with age.

Signs of ear wax build up can include:

  • A feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear
  • Discomfort or itchiness in the ear canal
  • Issues with hearing
  • Mild ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus),
  • Balance problems, dizziness (vertigo) or feeling sick

As tempting as it might be, it’s important not to use cotton buds (or other devices) to clean out your own ears. Doing this can push the wax in further and may cause damage to your ear drums. Instead, get in touch with us today to see how we can help you improve your ear health.

 

How the Micro suction procedure works

Previously ear syringing (or ear irrigation) was very popular and the method of choice. Ear syringing involves a low-pressure stream of water hitting the ear canal to dislodge the wax. This can be a messy procedure and uncomfortable when the water hits the eardrum. Rarely it can also cause damage to the ear drum.

Micro suction is a newer, alternative and safer technique, which is used in our Northern Clinics. This is a painless procedure that is carried out without using water which reduce the risk of an infection and damage. Using a tiny microscope device, the pharmacist can view and explore inside the ear canal to assess for wax build up and signs of infection. A tiny camera allows them to take high definition pictures and videos so you can see what is going on inside your ears and discuss this with the pharmacist. If you require wax removal, the suction device and tube allow wax to be gently removed from the ear canal into the tank. At the appointment will be given the chance to see before and after pictures to show you the results of the wax removal procedure.

If anything else is identified during the examination, the pharmacist can securely send images on to a team of audiologists and ENT specialists using the Tympa Health Platform. These specialists can help to make clinical recommendations and signposting for referrals when more specialist ear care is needed.

Ear infections and hearing tests

Not only can our pharmacists identify the build-up of wax and safely remove this, but they can also perform a hearing test and check for signs of infection. As part of the standard package you can get your hearing checked on the day. For this assessment you will be asked to place on some headphones and the Tympa Platform will check your hearing at four different frequency levels (500Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,000Hz, and 4,000Hz).

Where the pharmacist identifies an outer infection in the ear canal, an antibiotic spray* can be supplied following a clinical assessment and review of your medical history (to ensure treatment is appropriate). If any type of referral is needed, the pharmacist will discuss this with you and provide advice on the next steps.

We look forward to welcoming you into our ear health clinic soon. Get in touch today to book a 30 minute appointment for our 3-in-1 service for hearing assessment, wax removal and infection management.

*Treatments for an ear infection will incur an additional charge to the standard package.

This blog was written by Dr Deborah Patton, MPSNI, MPharm, PhD (Community Pharmacist at Northern Pharmacies).