How Does Ear Wax Build Up?
The most common cause of ear wax build up is 'at home removal' attempts. Attempts to remove ear wax with an ear bud or a house key etc can cause inflammation and microtrauma to the ear canal. This in turn leads to increased production of ear wax to protect the ear canal.
Another frequent cause of ear wax build up is ear buds or headphones. These can push ear wax further into ear canals and lead to a wax plug forming.
Ear wax builds up over time and may require professional cleaning via Microsuction.
Different Ways to Clean/Remove Ear Wax
There are several ways to remove ear wax (some more effective than others):
1. With an ear cleaning bud.
Everybody knows, however, that you should put nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear. Earbud mostly pushes ear wax further into the ear canal and leads to the formation of wax plugs. This can cause further pain and discomfort.
2. With ear syringing
Ear syringing uses an actual syringe or a fancy ear water pistol to wash ear wax out of ear canals. Ear syringing sometimes works, however, due to the oily make-up of wax which is usually stuck to the skin inside the ear canal, ear syringing doesn’t work all the time. Ear syringing used forceful water pumped into the ear canal. This can lead to pain and even damage to the eardrum.
3. Ear Microsuction - The Gold Standard!
Ear Microsuction utilises a binocular microscope, the same microscope used in ear surgery, along with a tiny little surgical vacuum. This vacuum literally sucks the ear wax out of the ear canal. The microscope allows close examination inside the ear to target the wax and prevent damage. Ear Microsuction is performed dry, which significantly reduces the risk of infection.
4. Cost
Ear Syringing - Requires a Doctors appointment. Fee $66 GAP + Medicare rebate
Ear Microsuction - Completed by our specially trained Nurse. Fee $135. Medicare does not provide a rebate for this. Nurse fee of $55 still applies for assessment if no suction is required. Please see your doctor if you are unsure if ear suction is required.
Inner North Medical Clinic offers Ear Microsuction onsite.
You can book online or call on 03 9988 2015.