premier-ear-care

How To Know If You Need Professional Ear Wax Removal

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 08:45:20 GMT

To most of us, earwax (or cerumen) is just some yellowish substance found in their ear; however, it has several uses. It protects the ear canal, prevents insects and other substances from entering the ear, and it also contains chemicals that fight germs that would otherwise infect the ears. That said, earwax can be problematic.

Many of us do not need a professional earwax removal. The ear cleans itself naturally. But some of us are prone to earwax buildup. Below are three signs that you might need to get your ears cleaned!

1. Impacted earwax

Do your ears feel heavy or clogged? Do they hurt or ache when you touch them? It might be due to the impaction of earwax within the ear canal.

Every so often, earwax is naturally pushed out of the ear canal, leaving just enough to keep the ear healthy.

An impaction occurs when the earwax isn’t pushed out of the ear canal in enough amounts, thus causing it to accumulate and harden. This then leads to blocked ears.

The most common cause of impacted earwax is the use of cotton swabs or pieces of clothing to clean the inside of the ear. While this can seem like an effective way to get rid of earwax (because you’re scooping out a lot each time you do it), it does more harm than good, as most of the earwax gets pushed farther into the ear canal, causing it to harden and block the sensitive areas of the ear.

If you do a lot of cotton swab ear cleaning and are now feeling ear pains, you probably need earwax removal in Leeds.

2. Dark earwax

We all know what earwax looks like. Yellowish, sticky, with a particular odour. Cerumen is often yellow. Sure, not yellow like a sunflower, but you get the idea.

If you notice the wax coming out of your ears changes colour to a distinctly darker hue, it can be a sign of extra debris laying around in the ear, which suggests that there is a higher amount of earwax within the ear canal. Seeing a specialist at this point is the safest bet at getting the proper care for your ear.

3. Reduced hearing

Most people go about their days feeling like their hearing is the same as always. It is not easy to notice small changes in hearing, the same way it is not easy to notice small increments in height. But we often notice a difference over time.

Some of us—especially the older ones among us—may have noticed a drop in hearing. Maybe they struggle to keep up with conversations because they can’t hear them clearly or they do not hear their names so well when called.

Reduced hearing is often a sign of ear problems. It might have been caused by wax accumulation. If earwax is clogging the ear canal, it can be quite difficult to hear.

If you are experiencing reduced hearing, or you know a family member whose hearing has markedly deteriorated, you should speak to us today about professional earwax removal.

Final thoughts

Our ears are effective at cleaning themselves, but in some cases, special care and attention are needed.

Do not ignore any of the above signs if you are experiencing them. The ears are important for overall sound health and wellbeing, so pay attention to them and give them the love and care they deserve.

If you would like to book an appointment or ask us a question about our ear wax removal service, please get in touch with us on 0330 057 8443 or email us at theteam@premierearcare.co.uk.

Things You Might Not Know About Microsuction

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 08:41:33 GMT

Microsuction is a safe and effective way to remove excess ear wax from your ears. However, lots of people have never heard of it. Even those who have often don’t really know what it involves. Here are five things that you might not know about microsuction to help you become more informed about this procedure.

1. Microsuction Was First Used In ENT Departments

Although microsuction is a relatively recent service for most patients, in hospital ENT departments it has been around for some time. Microsuction was once only used to remove ear wax from patients who had eardrum perforations or who had large cavities following a mastoid operation since removing ear wax in the traditional method with water would be dangerous for those people. Removing ear wax in outpatient departments and in GP surgeries was, until recently, done via irrigation or syringing. However, in recent years, microsuction has become more popular as medical professionals recognise its many benefits. It is now the preferred option for most patients as it is safe, quick, and reduces the risk of infection and complications associated with water-using methods.

2. Children Can Have Microsuction

Although you might think that children wouldn’t be suitable candidates for microsuction, in fact in many cases children aged 6 and above can have the procedure performed without any problems. As long as the child is cooperative and can sit still throughout the procedure, microsuction is perfectly safe and highly effective. Not only can it remove ear wax it can also remove foreign objects that are lodged in the ear canal – a common problem among children! Contact our expert team today to find out more about whether microsuction is a suitable option for your child.

3. Microsuction Of Both Ears Takes Just 30 Minutes

Lots of people think that microsuction will take a long time, however, this isn’t the case at all. In fact, you can have ear wax removed from both ears via microsuction within just 30 minutes in most cases. Your hearing will be restored more quickly than you imagined!

4. Microsuction Can Be Carried Out By Nurses As Well As Doctors

If you thought you needed to see a doctor to have ear wax microsuction, think again! Specialist nurses and trained audiologists can also perform microsuction. Here at Premier Ear Care, our team of fully trained, highly experienced auditory specialist nurses is able to carry out your ear wax microsuction restoring your hearing.

5. Microsuction Is More Effective If You Use A Wax Softening Spray First

Microsuction is a very safe and effective way to remove excess ear wax. However, we recommend that you use a wax softening spray in your ears for a couple of days before your appointment as well as on the morning of the appointment itself. That ensures that the procedure is as comfortable and quick as possible.

Now that you know these five fascinating facts about microsuction you might be ready to have your ear wax removed.

If you would like to book an appointment or ask us a question about our ear wax removal service, please get in touch with us on 0330 057 8443 or email us at theteam@premierearcare.co.uk.

Most Common Ear Problems And What To Do About Them

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 08:37:49 GMT

Ear problems are uncomfortable and can be unpleasant to live with. Luckily, though, they don’t tend to cause a long-term issue. Nevertheless, knowing what you can do about them can help to reduce the distress and pain you experience when one of these problems strikes.

Ear Infections

Ear infections may be of the inner or outer ear. They are often caused by a virus and will usually clear up by themselves within a few days. Sometimes, however, a prescription for antibiotics is required. Use ibuprofen or paracetamol to reduce the pain associated with ear infections, and try placing a cold or warm cloth over your ear. If there is any discharge, use cotton wool to wipe the ear gently. Don’t put anything in your ear to try to remove the discharge.

Ear Popping

Ear popping, sometimes called ear congestion, happens because the Eustachian tube is clogged and this leads to pressure building up in the ear. It is commonly caused by sinus congestion due to flu, colds, allergies or external irritants like smoke. A nasal decongestant can prove helpful to treat ear popping due to sinus congestion. You should also avoid smoky environments and use a humidifier to prevent dry air from irritating the nasal passages. If you suffer from allergies, an antihistamine can help. Many people also experience ear popping while travelling. The pressure in these cases can be relieved by chewing sweets or gum, yawning or swallowing repeatedly to adjust the pressure.

Foreign Objects Inside The Ear

This is an especially common problem among children. Small items like nuts, seeds, sweets, toys and buttons often end up in the ear canal causing pain. Don’t try to take the object out of the ear yourself. Instead, seek out medical advice. Microsuction can help to remove foreign objects from the ear canal.

Earwax Build-Up

We all need ear wax in our ears to protect against infections, bacteria, dirt and dust. However, sometimes excessive amounts build up that then block the ears and affect hearing. Don’t use cotton buds or your fingers to remove the wax as this just pushes it further inside the ear worsening the problem. An auditory healthcare professional can use microsuction to remove excess ear wax from your ears quickly and safely. Contact our team of fully qualified specialists today to find out more about how we can treat your ear wax problem and help to restore your hearing.

Tinnitus

If you hear sounds in your ears that don’t come from external sources, you are suffering from tinnitus. Often caused by aging, tinnitus also occurs in younger people and may either be temporary (caused by listening to very loud music or due to congestion) or permanent. Tinnitus counselling can help to treat this problem while re-training therapy can encourage the brain to tune out the sounds so that you’ll be less aware of them.

If you’re concerned about hearing loss, contact Premier Ear Care today on 0330 057 8443 or email us at theteam@premierearcare.co.uk . We can offer you a full auditory check-up and remove any excess ear wax to restore your hearing.

How To Take Care Of Your Ears

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 13:53:24 GMT

Your hearing is very important but, luckily, there are a lot of things you can do to care for your ears at home. Here are some expert tips to make sure your auditory health stays in peak condition.

Think About Volume

If you’re going to be exposed to very loud noises, for example, if you’re using a chainsaw, or if you’re a musician who plays regularly in loud venues, you should always wear earplugs. This will help to protect your ears from damage. If you’re listening to music through earbuds or headphones, turn down the volume. Whenever possible, headphones are a better choice than earbuds since they don’t fit next to your eardrum.

Don’t Use Cotton Buds

Many people are still using cotton buds to clean their ear canal but this is not recommended. You actually need some wax in your ears to protect from bacteria, dust and dirt so removing all of it puts you at risk of infections. Also, if you insert anything into your ear canal you run the risk of damaging your eardrum. If you’re suffering from a build-up of excess ear wax, make an appointment to have microsuction to remove it safely.

Dry Your Ears After Swimming

Excess moisture allows bacteria to get into the ear canal and cause infections. Swimmer’s ear and other ear infections can damage your hearing, so take the time to dry your ears thoroughly with a towel after you swim, shower or bathe. If you have water inside your ear, don’t try to poke anything into your ear canal to remove it. Instead, tilt your head sideways and lightly tug on your ear lobe. This will coax out the water. Swimming earplugs are also a good option to keep your ears safe while you’re in the water.

Avoid Taking Painkillers Too Often

If you regularly use painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin, you should consider reducing the amount you take. These medications are ototoxic and can cause temporary or even permanent hearing loss. It’s fine to take painkillers from time to time, but if you use them daily you could be causing permanent hearing damage. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Stop Smoking

Smoking doesn’t just harm your lungs and heart, it can increase your risk of hearing problems. The chemicals used in cigarette manufacture may affect how the ears process sounds, and smokers have a 15% greater risk of hearing loss than non-smokers.

Have An Auditory Check-Up

It’s important to regularly have a hearing screening to check your ears. Hearing loss develops slowly over time, so seeing auditory healthcare professionals regularly will help to spot any sign of hearing loss quickly so you can take action. If hearing loss is untreated, it can lead to other complications, not to mention spoiling your quality of life, so make sure you seek professional help as soon as you notice a problem.

Follow these expert tips and you’ll be giving yourself the best chance of minimising hearing loss and protecting your auditory health.

If you would like to book an appointment or ask us a question about our ear wax removal service, please get in touch with us on 0330 057 8443 or email us at theteam@premierearcare.co.uk.