Blocked or Painful Ear Wax
A blocked ear can be uncomfortable and affect your hearing. The build up of ear wax is the most common cause of a blockage. Our ear wax removal service uses Tympa – the most comprehensive ear and hearing healthcare check-up system.
- Developed by ENT specialists
- Featuring microsuction wax removal
- Combines sophisticated ear cleaning with a full hearing check-up
Symptoms
The main symptoms associated with earwax build-up include hearing loss and earache. You might feel that your ears are blocked or experience buzzing ringing in one or both ears. This is otherwise known as tinnitus.
Other possible symptoms of excess ear wax include feeling dizzy and sick (also known as vertigo) and itchiness. Recurring infections are also common symptoms.
Ear wax removal often relieves these symptoms and can improve hearing in one or both ears.
Causes of ear wax build-up
Some people may experience blocked ears simply because they produce a lot of ear wax that’s naturally hard or dry. However, there are a number of other factors that can increase the amount of ear wax in your ears.
For example, you may find that you experience a build-up of ear wax if your ear canals (the tube between the opening of the ear and the eardrum) are narrow or if they are particularly hairy. Inflammation of the ear canal, sometimes referred to as otitis externa, can also be to blame for excessive ear wax.
Age can increase your chances of ear wax buildup too. Ear wax can become drier as you get older, meaning elderly people are at higher risk of experiencing this.
Frequently inserting objects, such as cotton buds, hearing aids or ear plugs, can also lead to blockages in your ears.
Treatments for ear wax buildup
Our friendly, knowledgeable pharmacists are on hand to provide you with information and advice about the ear wax treatments available. These include:
Microsuction ear wax removal
Microsuction is one of the most effective techniques when it comes to removing ear wax. This safe, quick and painless procedure involves using a small, gentle suction device to suck the ear wax out of your ear. The suction device works just like a vacuum cleaner, loosening and then removing any blockages from the ear.
At Pharmacy+Health, our fully trained healthcare experts use Tympa ear wax removal devices to carry out microsuction. This trusted and effective technology has been designed especially for suction ear wax removal.
Self-care techniques
Your pharmacist may recommend self-care techniques you can try at home – such as using drops to help soften excess ear wax so that it falls out of its own accord.
For example, you may be advised to use 2 to 3 drops of high quality olive oil or almond oil in the affected ear 3 to 4 times a day for up to 5 days. You should use a dropper, and you may find it easier to lie down with your head on one side for a few minutes to allow the oil to make its way into your ear canal. You might also find it better to do this when you wake up in the morning, and when you go to bed in the evening.
Book an ear wax removal appointment today
At Pharmacy+Health, we are here to help if you’re struggling with ear wax build-up. Our fully qualified healthcare experts can arrange a consultation appointment and carry out private ear wax removal at a time that suits you. Our pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals and can help you find a treatment that will work for you, in addition to offering advice on other common health conditions.
How it works
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Frequently Asked Questions
During your pharmacy ear wax removal appointment with us, our highly trained and accredited pharmacy staff will use a digital otoscope (a small handheld device which is used to shine a beam of light into the ear canal) to look deep inside your ears and check for wax build-up or any other debris. They then gently clean one or both ears using microsuction.
Once your ears are clean, they will check your hearing thoroughly and advise you if any further treatment is required.
We use ear microsuction to remove excess ear wax. The suction device gently sucks wax out of the ear without using water. It’s the safest and most effective way to remove wax.
During the 5 days before your appointment, we will ask you to put drops of olive oil into your affected ear(s) twice a day to soften the ear wax.
Your ears are generally self-cleaning so they shouldn’t usually require much attention. Simply clean the outside of your ears daily as part of your normal routine.
Many GPs no longer offer ear wax removal as a service to patients. Pre-covid, the average wait time for patients to receive ear treatment was 12 to 16 weeks. This has now grown substantially.
At Pharmacy+Health, our highly trained team can inspect and clean your ears, and assess your hearing in one short appointment. Our ear wax clinic provides you with a quick and convenient way to ensure your ears and hearing are as healthy as they should be.