Ear Care Auckland – Waxout.nz

If you have used ear buds or products such as Waxol or Cerumol before reading this information, do not worry. There is no need for concern. In most cases, we will still be able to fully clear your ears at the first appointment. However, sometimes we will need a follow-up appointment if the wax is too difficult or uncomfortable to remove. The cost for the follow-up appointment is $50.

What if all of the wax in my ear cannot be removed at the first appointment?

Impacted wax can occur when the wax in your ears has been there for a long time. It may also occur when wax is pushed down onto your eardrum with a cotton bud or other item. The wax could have been moist when it originally moved deep into your ear canal. Over time, it dries out and sticks to the ear canal wall or ear drum. In some cases, despite careful effort, earwax can not be completely removed during the first appointment.

Removing impacted earwax

We will remove as much wax as possible from the ear canal at the first appointment. We will then ask you to use olive oil morning and night for a few days (instructions above). The olive oil will gently make its way between the wax and your skin. In most cases, we can remove the rest of the wax when you return for your second appointment. The cost of a follow-up appointment is $50.

What if ear wax removal does not improve your hearing?

A wax blockage can cause a hearing loss because the wax may function like an earplug, preventing sound from passing through the ear canal to the eardrum. In some cases, wax can be pushed down onto the eardrum. This causes a more significant hearing impairment because the eardrum can’t vibrate. In these cases, removing the earwax will help you to hear better instantly.

If there was some wax in your ear, but a gap allowed sound to reach your eardrum and vibrate normally, you might not notice a significant change in your hearing. Alternatively, you may find that you can hear higher-pitched sounds more clearly.We can show you an image of your ear canal and eardrum once we have finished removing the wax.

If you feel that your hearing has not improved as much as anticipated following ear wax removal, we recommend scheduling a full hearing assessment. We can recommend a hearing clinic that is convenient for you.

What if your ear canals are clear when you come to your appointment?

If we find that your ear canals are clear during your appointment, we will use the time to discuss the reason for your visit and address these concerns. As an experienced Audiologist, Maree will recommend the most appropriate approach to manage your hearing or ear care needs. For example:

• If your ear canals are clear but look sore and irritated, the most common reason is because items (ie cotton buds) are put into the canal.
• We will show you an image of what your ear canals and eardrum look like using a video camera. We can send you an image to keep if you would like that.
  • We will recommend letting your ear canal heal by avoiding putting items into your canals. Using cotton buds and other objects to “clean your ears” can be a hard habit to break.
  • Once you stop and let your ear canals heal, they will build up a healthy layer of protective wax. Your ear canals will be more comfortable.
  • Here is some more information about managing itchy ears.
• If your ear feels blocked, but there is no wax, we will look at your eardrum to see if it is possible there is fluid behind your ear drum. Alternatively, there might be negative middle ear pressure. You may need to go for a full hearing test to establish the reason for the blocked feeling. We can recommend a hearing clinic that is convenient for you.
• If your ears are clear and you are symptom-free, we will show you what your healthy ear canal and eardrum look like using a video otoscope. Then reassure you that your ears are doing an excellent job of cleaning themselves as they do for most people.

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