Ear Syringing Information

Sometimes excessive wax can build up inside the ear canal causing symptoms such as ear pain, hearing loss, and fullness in ears or itchiness. This can happen for a number of reasons including hairy or narrow ear canals, using hearing aids and the use of cotton wool buds.

If ear drops have not been successful (or appropriate) in removing your ear wax, you may be referred by your GP or nurse to have a further procedure, either Irrigation or microsuction to remove the earwax. The procedures are quick and safe.

For more information or to book an appointment please call 01798 342248 after 10:00 am.

1. What is earwax?

2. How can it be treated?

A build-up of ear wax can be treated with eardrops which are available from your local pharmacy. These can help soften and loosen the earwax, which may help it work its way out naturally.

Olive oil: This comes as a spray or drops and is used to soften the wax. This is a more gentle treatment and is often recommended if you have eczema in your ears. Ideally, you should apply this treatment once daily (perhaps before sleeping) to prevent the build-up of wax on a long-term basis after the wax build up is clear. It is not necessary to put cotton wool in your ears afterwards. We never recommend you use cotton buds in your ears.

Sodium Bicarbonate solution: You should use these drops for up to 1 week, applying 2 times a day with 2 drops in the ear. The sodium bicarbonate dissolves the wax. Your hearing may temporarily worsen as the wax swells before it dissolves. For this reason we suggest treating one ear at a time. The drops should be left in your ear for up to 3 minutes. When it improves you could use the drops less frequently

Other ear wax drops: There are a number of other ear drops such as Otex, which help remove wax. Your pharmacist will be able to advise you.

Irrigation or Microsuction: If ear drops have not been successful (or appropriate) in removing your ear wax, you may be referred by your GP or nurse to have a further procedure, either Irrigation or microsuction to remove the earwax. The procedures are quick and safe.

3. Do you have an Audiology appointment ?

Your ears will need to be free from wax for your audiology appointment. If your ears contain wax, it may lead to delays in your treatment and require additional appointments. Olive oil drops can be used to soften ear wax and help it come out of the ear. 2 -3 drops should be used twice a day for at least one week before your appointment.

If you know or suspect that your eardrum is perforated do not use drops unless directed by your Doctor.

Reason For Microsuction:

REASON1: The patient is suffering from significant symptoms due to ear wax build up OR

REASON2: There is a foreign body, including vegetable matter in the ear

Indications For Microsuction :

☐ Has previously undergone ear surgery (other than grommets insertion that has been extruded for at

least 18 months).

☐ Has a recent history of otalgia and /or middle ear infection (in past 6 weeks)

☐ Has a current chronic perforation or history of ear discharge in the past 12 months

☐ Previous complications following ear irrigation including perforation of the ear drum, severe pain, deafness,

or vertigo.

☐ Two attempts at irrigation of the ear canal in primary care were unsuccessful.

☐ Ear drops have been unsuccessful and irrigation is contraindicated

Unfortanatly We are unable to provid microsuction service at Petworth Surgery however we work with Billingshurst Surgery who are happy to see our patients.Our clinicians will refer for microsuction suction when needed. We ask our patients to still book their initial ear irrigation appointment with our nursing team.