Ear Wax Removal – Advice

Before you have your ear wax removed by micro-suction, it is important that you know all about this ear wax removal procedure. Hearing Auckland have a fully trained ear wax removal nurse and hygienist available. You will be asked to fill in a medical form and sign a consent form. The Ear Hygienist will explain the procedure.

  • The Ear Hygienist will place a small cone in your ear to enable her to view the canal.
  • A microscope is used to give the ear hygienist a closer look into the ear canal.
  • A small suction tube with a probe attached will be carefully placed in your ear canal. 
  • The suction will make a windy sound. Wax and debris will be carefully removed.
  • Forceps may be used to remove hard plugs of wax, skin and foreign objects.
  • If your ear canal is sensitive, infected or inflamed it may be a little uncomfortable.
  • Cold air across your eardrum may cause temporary dizziness.
  • Touching your ear canal may cause coughing.

The Ear Canal is the passage from your outer ear to your ear drum. The ear canal can become blocked with:

  • Wax
  • Debris
  • Skin
  • Foreign objects

This can cause temporary hearing loss and /or infection. Micro-suction of an ear canal is performed under direct vision using a microscope. It is the cleaning of an ear canal using gentle suction and instruments. All equipment is sterilized before use. At the Hearing Association (Auckland) Inc this procedure is performed by ear hygienists who have been trained in this method.

How often should you have your ears micro-suctioned?

Each person has individual needs as they produce varying amounts and types of wax. The Ear Hygienist will advise you how often you should have your ears suctioned. If you wear hearing aids we recommend you have your ears suctioned every 6 months, to avoid wax build up and damage to your hearing aids.

We advise for your comfort to use olive or almond oil for 2 days prior to your appointment. People with eardrum perforations should not use oils.

Our experienced Ear Hygienists will remove ear wax using the Oto-microscope suction method. We advise that you use a few drops of olive or almond oil for 2 days before the appointment to soften the wax. (Don’t use oil if you have a perforated eardrum)

  • Service is available to people over the age of 16 years.
  • No referrals necessary
  • Appointments usually take 15 – 20 minutes

Based in Remuera, Hearing Auckland is a not-for-profit audiology and ear specialist serving clients throughout Auckland, including South Auckland and East Auckland. As well as ear wax removal services, we provide independent hearing tests and hearing aid fitting as well as hearing aid repairs.