Why can’t I get earwax removed by my local GP Surgery any more?
Removal of ear wax is no longer considered an essential service by GP surgeries, instead it has been reclassified as a specialist service. Unfortunately this means that most GP surgeries in Wales no longer offer ear wax removal. GPs can refer to audiology services within the NHS but only if the ear wax is linked to a hearing loss and there can be a long wait for this service.
Why do we have ear wax?
The skin inside your ear canal acts like a conveyor belt, slowly removing any dirt from your ears. Earwax is a mixture of dead skin cells and oil from glands in the ear canal. The oil and dead skin create a brown sticky material that we know as earwax.
Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs. Earwax fights infection by trapping germs and killing them using special enzymes.
Earwax is sticky so it traps dirt and debris that may enter your ear.
Apparently, insects don’t like the smell of earwax so are less likely to crawl in your ears!
In a limited amount, earwax is a good thing to have.
What can cause earwax to build-up?
Earwax usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears. Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax. Other factors that can increase the risk of too much earwax are:
• Producing naturally hard or dry earwax.
• Having narrow or hairy ear canals.
• Earwax becomes drier with age, so don’t get old!
• Earwax can also block your ear if you frequently insert objects into your ear canal, such as cotton buds.
A build-up of earwax in your ear can cause: earache; hearing loss; tinnitus; itchiness; vertigo; infections.
What to do if you think your ear is blocked
Never try to remove a build-up of earwax yourself with a cotton bud or any other object. This can damage your ear and push the wax further down.
Hopi Ear Candles do not work!!! They can cause damage to your ears. The wax you are shown after the procedure is from the candle not your ear.
Ear drops from a pharmacy are not suitable for everyone, they will not remove large amounts of wax and some can irritate the skin. Ear drops shouldn’t be used if you have a perforated eardrum (a hole or tear in your eardrum).
Ear irrigation – this is a quick and painless procedure where a jet of low pressure water is used to wash the earwax out.
Microsuction – this is the best way to remove wax from your ears, it is a quick and painless procedure where a small device is used to suck the earwax out of your ear.
The best thing you can do is to seek the services of a professional. At Valley Hearing in Caerphilly we offer microsuction and irrigation to remove ear wax safely and comfortably. It costs £60 for removal of wax from both ears. All you need to do is put olive oil in your ears twice a day for 3-4 days before attending. If you read my customer reviews on Google you will see that my customers are very glad them came to Valley Hearing.
• For more information visit ValleyHearing.co.uk or call Jon on 07824043395.
