Microsuction Process
Safe
Comfortable
Painless
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Professional Microsuction Ear Wax Removal
Our Process
Experience safe, effective, and professional ear care at Ross & Jamieson. Our clinical microsuction process is the gold standard for clearing blocked ears safely and comfortably.
Same-Day Results: 99.9% of ear wax can be safely removed during your first appointment.However, if you have recently used cotton buds, the wax may be heavily impacted and toohard to clear in one session. If this occurs, we will advise a few days of oil softening. Anyrequired follow-up appointment to complete the removal is charged at a reduced rate of £20.
STEP 1:
Digital Consultation & Consent
Your safety begins before we even look in your ears. We start by asking you to fill out a secure digital consent form.
This helps our audiologists understand your complete ear health history. Knowing about any previous issues—such as a history of a perforated ear drum—is essential. It ensures we choose the exact right techniques tailored specifically to your ears, even if we encounter incredibly oily or stubborn wax later in the appointment.
STEP 2:
High-Definition Video Otoscopy
Next, we perform a detailed visual inspection of your ear canals using advanced video otoscopy.
Even if you feel that only one ear is blocked, we will always examine both ears to ensure comprehensive care. We project a live, high-definition image of your ear canal, ear wax, and ear drum onto a screen so you can see exactly what our specialists see.
STEP 3:
Clear Explanation of Your Procedure
Before starting, your clinician will explain the entire process in detail. We will show you theequipment, discuss the basic anatomy of your outer ear, and establish easy ways for you tocommunicate with us during the treatment.
Because your ear drum is an incredibly delicate 0.1 mm thick, it is vital that youunderstand the process, stay relaxed, and follow our instructions. The procedure is entirelypain-free and generally takes between 5 to 15 minutes per ear.
STEP 4:
The Microsuction Treatment
The gentle medical vacuum used for microsuction can be a bit noisy, but we will prepare youfor the sound and you will quickly adapt to it.
- Precision Technique: We begin by carefully removing the wax from the outer edgesof the ear canal, where it is typically at its softest. You will notice the pitch of themachine change as it gently grips and lifts the wax away.
- Safety First: If the wax is stubborn, we may introduce a small amount of clinical oilto lubricate the canal. To ensure absolute safety, your clinician will gently brace ahand against the side of your face. This prevents any risk of sudden head movementwhile working inside the delicate canal.
- Continuous Check-Ins: As we work deeper into the ear canal, we pause regularly tocheck in on you, ensuring you remain entirely comfortable and free from anydiscomfort.
STEP 5:
Post-Treatment Success Video
Once the wax is completely cleared, you will likely notice an instant difference in your hearing. It is entirely natural for your own voice to sound slightly echoing or “tinny” at first—this is a fantastic sign that your ear canal is wide open again!
We will perform the video otoscopy one final time, allowing you to see your beautifully clear ear canal and a healthy ear drum (which should look like a healthy, grey, slightly transparent opaque circle).
What Happens If the Wax Cannot Be Fully Removed?
While rare, there are three main reasons why a microsuction machine alone might not clear 100% of the wax in one visit:
- Severely Impacted Wax: The wax is packed too hard (often from cotton bud use)and requires further softening to prevent discomfort.
- Deep Proximity: The wax is resting directly against the ear drum, meaning it cannotbe safely suctioned without risking the delicate membrane.
- Highly Oily Wax: The consistency is too fluid or slick for the vacuum tube to grabeffectively.
Our Backup Plan: Safe Ear Irrigation
If your situation falls into category 1 or 2, your safety is paramount; we will never riskcausing discomfort. We will provide you with specialized oil and schedule a quick follow-up appointment.
However, if the remaining wax is soft but simply too oily for microsuction (Category 3), andwe can clearly see your ear drum, we can instantly switch to specialist ear irrigation.
How Our Irrigation Works: We use a modern, temperature-controlled system that directsthree gentle, lukewarm streams of water against the sides of the ear canal rather than directlyat the ear drum. The water circles the canal safely, losing its force before naturally washingthe remaining wax out. Most patients find this part of the process incredibly soothing andpleasant. We will only ever use irrigation after a thorough medical history check and yourexplicit agreement.
