What is it?
Microsuction is one of the safest methods to clean the ear. It is the removal of wax, infection, debris or foreign bodies within your ears. The practitioner looks at your ear through a microscope, and will then use a small suction tube and fine suction end to remove the wax, without the need for water.
What to Expect
| Before your Appointment | During Your Appointment | After your appointment |
| We recommend you use olive oil ear spray or drops such as ‘Earol’ for at least a few days before the procedure. This will soften the wax and make the procedure more comfortable. | The clinician will use a specialist surgical microscope to visualise the ear canal in great detail and use a very fine sterile suction device at low pressure to remove the wax – not dissimilar to using a tiny vacuum cleaner inside the ear. Occasionally, we may need to use other instruments to remove particularly hard wax, such as Jobson Horne probes, hooks, or micro forceps). The entire procedure usually takes no longer than 15 minutes for both ears. | Most patients notice no significant adverse side effects following Ear microsuction however the most commonly reported are: dizziness, noise damage, ear trauma, and infection. Any dizziness following microsuction should pass within a few minutes of the procedure being finished, while noise damage should also be a temporary side effect of microsuction – the procedure will sound very loud to some people, potentially causing temporary hearing loss. Minor ear trauma is another of the rare microsuction ear wax removal side effects, usually occurring when recipients move suddenly. Infection is again extremely rare, but it is a risk that comes with any procedure you undergo. The tools used during microsuction are single-use and sterile, so the risk of infection is extremely remote. |
Cost
| Procedure | Cost |
| Microsuction | £75 (one or both ears) |
| Ear Examination (No wax found) | £25 Consultation & Examination fee |
If microsuction is not required (no wax is found) there is a consultation and examination fee of £25 Some patients may need microsuction regularly. If you require microsuction twice yearly or more please speak to our clinician about our special rates.
Why have Microsuction?
Ear wax is a natural lubricant and antibacterial material that’s produced by sebaceous glands within the ear canal. It is a normal part of an healthy Ear and can help to clean, lubricate, and protect the lining of the ear by trapping dirt and stopping too much water from entering the ear canal.
Issues can arise when there is excessive wax production, or if the outer ear canal is not extracting it naturally. This can cause an excessive buildup or impaction of wax which can in-turn lead to hearing loss, pain, discomfort and a feeling of fullness. When this occurs it is usually recommended that the ear wax is removed to help alleviate the symptoms. Microsuction is the quickest, safest and best way of doing this.
It’s important to bear in mind that symptoms such as hearing loss may be caused by middle or inner ear problems rather than a build-up of ear wax, so ear wax removal won’t always be the best option. In these cases, the doctor will discuss potential next steps with the patient
Who Can/Can’t have Microsuction?
Unlike ear syringing, microsuction does not use water to irrigate the ear. This means that microsuction can even be performed if you have an active ear infection, have (or previously had) a perforation, previously had ear surgery or had any complications from ear syringing.
As long as you are able to keep your head still during the procedure and tolerate an occasional loud noise in the ear canal you can have microsuction. We would suggest that children under 6 are very unlikely to be able to tolerate this procedure and so would not routinely take bookings for these patients.
Our NHS contract unfortunately does not allow us to offer this treatment to our Patients registered at Beeches Green Surgery. Patients registered at any other GP surgery are able to access this service.
Book an Appointment
Our clinic runs most Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the year.
To book an appointment please call our reception team.