The many terms that are known and used for “cleaning the ears”.

Over the years different methods have been known for how to keep your ears free of a buildup of ear wax. But not all methods are equal, and some are not even safe or recommended by qualified audiologists such as ourselves.

Here Steven Hale – Audiology Director of Steven Hale Hearing, based in Sutton Coldfield, discusses those methods:

“I often have patients come into clinic asking to get their “ears syringed”. But, whilst ear syringing has been used as a means for ear wax removal, I am sure that actually the patients are just using this as a generic term for “clean my ears”.

Ear syringing (also known as Ear irrigation) used to be performed by Doctors and Nurses on the NHS but this is no longer the case. As a private practice we do offer Ear syringing for some cases of ear wax removal, but the procedure can be a little uncomfortable for some patients. It is also quite messy as warm water is pumped into the ear to dislodge the ear wax which is then collected in a receptacle placed under your ear. In some cases, ear syringing has been known to lead to post procedure infections. To find out more about Ear Syringing in Sutton Coldfield please visit our website.

Microsuction is our preferred method of ear wax removal. Using our state-of-the-art equipment, we can gently remove the earwax whilst examining the ear canal using a high-powered microscope. This method is safe and completely pain free. We can also provide before and after photographs or your ear canal so that you can be reassured that the wax is completely gone. Some of our clients who have had this procedure describe it as “Almost pleasant”!

There are other methods out there that are claimed to be effective ways of cleaning the ears and I would like to give you our opinion of those here:

Ear candling

There are many myths surrounding this as being a peaceful and soothing method of removing ear wax but in our opinion ear candling is, at the very least, dangerous. Having a lit candle placed in your ear could cause serious harm to your ear drum plus you run the risk of the candle wax burning your face. Any debris that does appear to come away has been proven to be candle wax and other materials from the ear candle kit. We do not recommend this method and our thoughts on this subject are echoed throughout the audiology world – just don’t do it!

Cotton buds

Just one word here for this method: “No”.

Poking around in your ear canal with a cotton bud could push the wax further into your ear and, at worst, seriously damage your ear drum. The advice I give to all clients is “Never put anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow”!

Olive oil

Although Olive oil is known to soften ear wax prior to professional removal it does not actually clear the ear wax. In some cases, it can expand the wax making hearing even more difficult and causing worse discomfort.

We do offer specialist ear wax softening solutions at our clinic when needed.

Do-it-yourself kits

Earwax removal is a delicate process and ears need to be treated with great care. You will find that do-it-yourself kits are readily available, however, ask yourself if you would remove your own in-growing toenail! The insertion of any pointed or scoop shaped object into your ear canal is very dangerous. Visualise just how close that instrument could be to your brain.

We would strongly advise you to steer clear of these kits.