Irrigation Ear Wax Removal

Please note that ear irrigation is not appropriate if you have:

• A perforated eardrum, or if you have had a perforation in the last 12 months.
• Previously had problems with irrigation, such as pain in your ear or severe vertigo.
• Have a discharge of mucus from your ear or have had an ear infection in the preceding two months.
• Have recurring or persistent infections of the ear canal.
• You have had any ear surgery (apart from cases of extruded grommets which had come out at least 18 months beforehand) had a middle ear infection (otitis media) in the past six weeks.

Most of our clinics offer the irrigation method of earwax removal for people who are more comfortable with it and for situations that require it. The procedure is undertaken with a spray type ear wash machine or hand held manual spray wash bottle, which is commonly used in the medical setting. The irrigation solution is carefully warmed to body temperature for comfort.

Ear irrigation involves using a pressurised flow of water to remove the build-up of ear wax. This is a straightforward procedure where a controlled flow of water, at body temperature, is squirted into the ear through a purpose-made machine (an electronic ear irrigator) or spray wash bottle. To ensure that the ear cannot be damaged, the electronic irrigator has a variable pressure control so that irrigation can begin at the lowest pressure.

Under the gentle force of the water, the ear wax is softened and dislodged and the wax is carried out of the ear. This is why the term ‘irrigation’ is used, as opposed to ‘syringing’ which is a different and outdated method by which the ear wax was literally ‘syringed’ from the ear using a metal syringe. Whilst irrigating your ear, the ear care specialist treating you may hold your ear at different angles to ensure the water reaches all of your ear canal.

The specialist may also look inside your ear several times using an otoscope (an instrument used to examine the inside of your ear) to check whether the wax is coming out. Ear irrigation is a painless procedure, but your ear may feel a little strange as the water is squirted around your ear canal.

Using our services ensures that you have your earwax removed safely, quickly and by a person you can trust. The process usually lasts up to 15 minutes an ear and the majority of people find it easy and comfortable. Although microsuction is considered the gold standard of ear wax removal ear irrigation can still be very effective at removing ear wax if performed correctly, in fact, it completely washes the ear canal and eardrum clean. There are some ear wax removal situations that are best treated using a water method which is why our professionals don't only use micro suction. Some people can also find the ear irrigation procedure very relaxing, other benefits of this type of ear wax removal include:

"I can hear everything in high definition again"

"I had my ears cleaned out yesterday. It made such a difference to my hearing. You should have seen the amount of ear wax that was extracted, no wonder I couldn't hear properly any more! My ears now feel clean and fresh, and I can hear everything in high definition again! Thank you so much for the excellent service!"

Thomas, Manchester.