Prior to your procedure your Audiology Professional will discuss with you the need to remove wax from your ears. In order to check that it is safe to proceed you will be asked some questions about the health of your ears and general health. It is also necessary to carry out a detailed visual inspection of your ear/s and the wax present. If safe to do so, wax will be removed from your ear/s using the safest and most appropriate method for the quantity and consistency of the wax discovered.
Two methods of wax removal may be used, and these are sometimes used in combination:
Removal of wax deposits using manual instruments
Fine hand-held instruments are inserted carefully into your ear and used to gently extract the wax from the ear canal
Wax removal using suction
A fine suction tube is carefully inserted into the ear canal while being viewed closely under magnification from a head loupe. Wax is removed by suction from the tube. This procedure can be noisy.
The Audiology Professional has undertaken training in wax removal and will use best-practice procedures to minimise any risk of harm. However, even when performed with the utmost care, there are risks involved in wax removal. These risks include:
- damage to skin of the ear canal or the ear-drum during the procedure
- infection of the ear canal or other ear structures following the procedure
- temporary reduction in hearing
- permanent reduction in hearing
- temporary dizziness and (rarely) possible sickness or fainting
- triggering of new tinnitus or temporary aggravation of existing tinnitus
- temporary irritation to the throat, especially if already dry, tickly or sensitive
If the wax cannot be removed
Sometimes, depending on the amount and consistency of the wax and your own comfort, it may not be possible to remove all of the wax in one visit. If this situation occurs the Audiology Professional will stop the procedure and you will be advised to continue to use a wax softener for a number of days advised by your Audiology Professional and return to have the remainder removed.
Reasons to refer you to another professional or service
Sometimes it may be necessary to reject you for this procedure. Most commonly this is because:
- medical referral conditions have been discovered in the health screen prior to undertaking the procedure which indicate it is unsafe to proceed
It may also be necessary to refer you to a medical professional for further management following this procedure. Most commonly this is because:
- evidence of a recent or previous infection has been discovered
- evidence of recent or previous damage or disruption to the ear has been discovered
- the wax removal procedure has made you feel unwell
- the wax is too difficult to remove without discomfort
- a foreign object has been discovered in the ear
