Award-Winning Microsuction Ear Wax Removal in Leicester

No. Microsuction is generally painless and very well tolerated. Some patients may notice mild noise or vibration during the procedure, but it should not be painful. If any discomfort occurs, the procedure can be paused immediately.

Yes. Endoscopic microsuction is safe for children aged 2 years and over. The magnified view allows for extremely controlled ear wax removal in young patients.

Treatment typically takes 10–15 minutes per ear, depending on the severity of ear wax build-up. Most patients only require one visit.

For adults (unless previously advised by ourselves), no ear drops are required before endoscopic microsuction ear wax removal. For children below the age of 12, we recommend using medical grade olive oil drops twice a day for 2 days before your appointment.

Yes, in some cases ear drops can help to soften and loosen ear wax, making it easier to remove naturally or by a qualified clinician. Over-the-counter ear wax drops and sprays are usually either:

• Oil-based (such as olive oil drops or sprays), or

• Water-based (such as sodium bicarbonate or hydrogen peroxide–based drops)

Water-based drops may be more effective at breaking down ear wax, but they are more likely to cause irritation and can sometimes lead to infection, albeit it rare. They can also cause wax to swell temporarily, which may worsen the blocked sensation before improving it. Oil-based drops tend to be gentler and better tolerated, especially in sensitive ears, and soften ear wax rather than breaking it down. Importantly, you should never used ear drops if you have a perforated eardrum, active ear infection or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients.

Ear drops should always be used at room temperature, as drops that are too cold or too warm can trigger temporary dizziness or vertigo due to stimulation of the balance organs.

After applying ear drops, the treated ear should face upwards for 5 minutes to allow the drops to penetrate the wax, before turning the ear over downward to allow it to drain with a tissue held underneath. This is usually repeated 2–3 times daily for up to 5-7 days. However, if ear wax is excessive, hard or impacted, ear drops alone often will not be sufficient, and professional removal is usually required.

At The Hear Clinic, ear drops are not routinely required before endoscopic microsuction unless you have been previously been advised by ourselves. For children below the age of 12, we recommend using medical grade olive oil drops twice a day for 2 days before your appointment.

Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural yellow-brown substance produced by glands in the skin lining the ear canal (external auditory canal). It may be either soft or hard in consistency, and the type of wax you produce is largely genetically determined.

Ear wax has several important protective functions:

• It cleans the ear canal by trapping dead skin, dust, dirt and small foreign particles

• It lubricates the skin of the ear canal, preventing dryness and cracking

• It protects against infection, as it is slightly acidic and has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties

In most people, ear wax naturally migrates out of the ear canal on its own, carrying debris away with it. This happens because the skin lining the ear canal slowly moves outwards as it renews and sheds.

However, in some individuals this natural process is disrupted, and ear wax can build up and become impacted. When this occurs, it may cause symptoms such as hearing loss, blockage, tinnitus, dizziness or discomfort, and professional removal may be required.

Everyone produces ear wax, but in some people it has a tendency to accumulate and become impacted. This can happen for several reasons. Some individuals are simply genetically predisposed to producing wax at a faster rate than it can naturally migrate out of the ear.

Other common causes of ear wax build-up include:

• The skin lining the ear canal does not migrate outwards normally

• Naturally narrow or bendy ear canals

• Bony growths (exostoses) within the ear canal

• Cotton bud use, which pushes wax deeper into the ear

• Hearing aids or earplugs, which block natural ear wax migration

• Excess ear canal hair, which traps ear wax

• Dry, hard wax, which is more common with increasing age

When natural clearance is disrupted, ear wax can accumulate, harden and become impacted, leading to hearing loss, a blocked sensation, tinnitus, dizziness or vertigo and discomfort.

Common symptoms include:

• Reduced hearing
• A blocked or full feeling in the ear
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Hearing internal sounds (occlusion) and own voice (autophony)
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Earache
• Itchiness and irrigation
• Hearing aid feedback or malfunction

Yes. Impacted ear wax is a very common cause of temporary hearing loss, blocked sensation, tinnitus and ear discomfort. Once safely removed, hearing and other symptoms often improves immediately.

Yes. Most ear wax removal providers in the UK perform microsuction using head loupes, which offer only limited magnification and a narrow field of view. This can make it more difficult to perform delicate procedures safely, particularly deep in the ear canal close to the eardrum.

Endoscopic microsuction provides a significantly more magnified, wider, clearer and high-definition view of the entire ear canal and eardrum, allowing for greater precision and improved safety.

An ENT operating microscope offers significantly better magnification than commonly used head loupes. A clinical study nonetheless found that endoscopic ear wax removal is more comfortable for patients and quicker and easier to perform when directly compared with microsuction using an ENT operating microscope.

No. Ear syringing and ear irrigation uses water and pressure inside the ear canal and carries a higher risk of:

• Infection
• Dizziness
• Eardrum perforation

Microsuction under endoscopic vision is far safer and more precise.

Patients with severe tinnitus or hyperacusis (sound sensitivity) can sometimes find the noise and vibration of microsuction uncomfortable or symptom-provoking.

At The Hear Clinic, advanced endoscopic microsuction is our standard technique for ear wax removal. However, where clinically necessary and following a full diagnostic ear examination, alternative manual removal techniques may be used in selected cases to help minimise symptom exacerbation.

If manual removal is not clinically possible (for example, if ear wax is firmly impacted against the eardrum), we will advise you accordingly. In such cases, we have a full range of suction tip sizes specialised to minimise sound levels as much as possible.

Yes. At The Hear Clinic we regularly treat patients with complex ear conditions, including narrow ear canals, previous ear surgery, mastoid cavities, ear canal stenosis, perforated eardrums, recurring infections and fragile ear canals. In these cases, ear wax removal is performed using the safest and most appropriate technique following a detailed ear examination and assessment. Microsuction and/or manual removal under high-definition endoscopic vision may be used depending on the individual clinical findings.

Yes. Hearing aids can increase ear wax production and impaction by blocking natural wax migration. Regular professional ear examinations are recommended for hearing aid users.

This varies between individuals. For chronic suffers of ear wax, we recommend ear checks every 12–18 months. Some patients may require more or less frequent reviews depending on their rate of ear wax production.

Yes. You can book directly at The Hear Clinic without needing a GP referral. If an underlying medical condition is identified, a referral can be made to your GP or ENT specialist.

Specialist clinics provide a higher level of clinical safety and diagnostic oversight, including:

• Full diagnostic ear examination and assessment

• High-definition, magnified visualisation of the ear canal and eardrum

• Identification of underlying ear disease

• Medical-grade microsuction equipment

• Treatment performed by a qualified and registered medical or healthcare professional with specialist training in audiology or ENT

In the UK, ear wax removal is currently unregulated. This means some providers may have limited training and no formal medical or healthcare background. Without appropriate diagnostic expertise, significant and potentially life-threatening ear conditions can be missed, and the risk of complications is higher. Choosing a specialist clinic ensures your ears are examined, treated and safeguarded to the highest standards.