What To Expect
Duration: 30 minutes | Price: $70
Your Audiologist will have a brief conversation with you to better understand what prompted your visit. Any symptoms and relevant medical factors will be discussed to ensure we keep your ears healthy.
- We’ll first examine your ears with a special magnified light.
- Then, we’ll show you your ears on a screen so you can see what we see!
- Your Audiologist will explain their findings and any suggested course of action. If there is not enough wax to warrant removal, we may suggest a complimentary screening to help rule out underlying concerns.
Diminished hearing ability, or a ‘full’ sensation in your ears, is sometimes but not always wax!
Methods
When it comes to professional wax removal there are three safe and accepted methods: (1) manual tools, (2) irrigation with water, and (3) microsuction with a small vacuum. Your Audiologist will personally assess you and discuss the best course of action for you.
Manual tools
We use a combination of light and magnification to guide our tools. Manual tools are typically reserved for when wax is soft and easily accessible. When wax is deeply impacted, or has hardened over time, we typically resort to other methods.
Irrigation
We use reverse osmosis water that has had all contaminants removed. The water is then heated to body temperature. A specialized bottle is used to ‘rinse’ or irrigate your ear. This bottle directs water safely against the side of your ear canal instead of at the eardrum. The tip of the bottle is designed to ensure that water can escape your ear safely. We will have you hold a small tray just under your ear while we irrigate to collect the water.
Microsuction
We use a special light with magnification to guide our little vacuum into your ear. This vacuum is designed to have low air speed to help reduce noise, yet has powerful enough suction to help us grab the wax.
We often recommend the use of a wax-softening agent prior to your appointment. This helps ensure quick and safe removal of any wax. We have several products available at our office for this purpose which you can purchase prior to your appointment. If you have a known perforation (hole) in your eardrum, please ignore this advice and DO NOT place any liquids in your ear.
We are trained professionals in wax removal as regulated healthcare professionals specifically for ears. You’ll notice that the three methods of wax removal we use do not include ear candling or Qtips!
Our FAQ
Why do my ears produce earwax?
Everyone’s ears produce earwax. The technical term for earwax is actually cerumen. It is produced by modified sweat glands in your ear canal. The primary purpose of earwax is actually to keep your ears clean. But, sometimes the wax doesn’t come out on its own.
How often should I have my ears cleaned?
Everyone produces a different amount and consistency of earwax. On top of that, everyone’s ear canals are built differently. Sometimes gravity doesn’t do its job in pulling the wax out of your ears, and that’s where we can help. Some people would benefit from seeing us as frequently as every 3 months. Other people may never require our services! It all depends on the person.
Why do my ears feel full?
If your ears feel ‘full’ there may or may not be wax in there. Sometimes, this sensation is related to other conditions. If your Audiologist suspects there are other factors at play, they may suggest a hearing screening or full assessment. Rest assured we will find you answers!
Why do my ears feel itchy?
This can be for a number of reasons.
- If you have any skin conditions elsewhere on your body such as eczema, it can affect your ears as well.
- If it’s winter, the explanation can be as simple as dry skin.
- More often than not, the itchy sensation is related to sticking things in your ears! Using Q-tips can cause abrasions on the delicate skin of your ear canal which makes the problem worse. This practice removes natural oils in your ear, and the use of Q-tips also poses other risks to your ears. In place of this, we generally recommend specialty ear drops with all natural ingredients for itchy ears. We carry these at our office.
Contact Us
- 204 Lafontaine St.
Wallaceburg, ON
N8A 4H7