When should microsuction be used?
Earwax should be removed if it is totally occluding the ear canal and:
• The person is symptomatic. (hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, feeling of fullness/blocked ear)
• The tympanic membrane is obscured by wax but needs to be viewed to establish a diagnosis.
• The person wears a hearing aid, and an impression needs to be taken for a mould, or wax is causing the hearing aid to whistle.
Aftercare
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• Avoid getting water in the ears for 48 hours- no swimming, cotton wool with Vaseline on placed in entrance of ear canal if showering/washing hair.
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• Do not put anything in the ears such as cotton buds or bobby pins. Limit inner ear headphone time/ ear plugs.
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• If you develop itching, pain, discharge, muffled hearing, either call us for advice/review or book an appointment with the GP as this may be an infection.
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• If you have been advised to attend a follow up appointment, refrain from trying to remove any wax yourself at home. Only use the drops we have advised, unless advised differently by a HCP.
Important
Initial management of earwax includes ear drops (olive oil ear drops) for 3–5 days initially, to soften wax to aid microsuction.