Ear wax

Wax is produced normally in a perfectly healthy ear canal.  It is slightly acidic and kills off bacteria.  It normally migrates outwards, carrying dirt and dust with it and does not accumulate in excessive quantities.

Attempts to clean the ear at home tends merely to pack the wax into the ear towards the eardrum.  Many patients choose to use cotton buds but the evidence is that they tend to increase the amount of wax rather than reduce it.

For some, particularly if beginning to get deaf, excessive wax can reduce hearing.  It can also clog up hearing aids.  For these patients we are happy to irrigate (syringe) the ear canal.  We will not embark on regular or routine irrigation.

It is sometimes not possible to remove wax by irrigation.  Sometimes a doctor can remove wax using a probe but at other times we must refer outside the practice

To get your ears irrigated

If your doctor or hearing aid specialist has suggested you need to have your ears irrigated to remove wax please read and complete the consent form and arrange an appointment with Julie

Otherwise please phone reception for advice.

Page last updated January, 2009