Ear wax removal

[RobertCLL]

I am due to have ear wax removal by a private clinic. Their website states "qualified as a Hearing Aid Audiologist in 2003 and is also HCPC registered".

Being a bit cautious, how do I check the person is qualified to carry out micro suction?

[Happyrosie]

I don’t know. Ask them what their professional association is and check that they are registered?

[RobertCLL in reply to Happyrosie]

They say they are HCPC registered, but I don't have a surname or registration number. I have asked but she says that is confidential. I am suspicious by nature. There are also errors/mistakes on their website.

[Happyrosie in reply to RobertCLL]

I go to a place in Horsham, where I live, as it was recommended to me. I can’t see anything on the website of the people I saw about registrations, professional qualifications or anything similar. At the time I didn’t think to enquire. There was a five week wait to see a doctor before I could be referred to a nurse at my doctors practice, then three weeks after that to see the nurse for syringing. This was about three years ago. I was however dealt with very professionally, and have been back since for microsuction.

[doglover1973]

You could try specsavers - if you're in any doubt. They do microsuction. £50 for both ears.

[RobertCLL in reply to doglover1973]

Yes that's my next call tomorrow, but will not get an appointment for over a week.

[Lansdown82]

My sincere advice to you is, unless they’re an ENT do not have it done. Microsuction is a specialist procedure that’s being carried out by far too many flyby-nights. My tinnitus was triggered after a trauma to the ear after microsuction. I made the mistake of visiting one of these fly by nights when my ENT was unavailable due to covid. I really regret not waiting. I could recommend my excellent ENT -Mr Fairley based in Kent

[RobertCLL]

Thanks. Yes will cancel my appointment and go somewhere where the credentials can be validated.

[Suzysunday in reply to RobertCLL]

I had microsuction at specsavers on one was last July and had tinnitus in that ear ever since. Paid £55 to the so and so's. To say I regret it is an understatement.

[RONf]

I have microsuction done in ENT Outpatients under the NHS - I have a regular appointment every four months - and this takes the stress of rebooking etc away. The only cost is the car parking at te hospital!

[CDPO16 in reply to RONf]

I was attending an NHS clinic for microsuction twice a year but the clinic sessions were stopped at the start of the pandemic and have not yet recommenced. You are fortunate if yours have continued.

[Ruud1boy]

I don't believe there are any required qualifications to carry out micro-suctioning.

I've learnt to my cost to steer clear of it - it sends my tinnitus crazy. The BTA advise it's the safest method of wax removal, but I just don't believe that to be the case. The sound intensity in the narrow ear canal, particularly if there's no release valve on the suction equipment, can be insane.

[RobertCLL in reply to Ruud1boy]

I didn't find it great for noise when I had the procedure about 2 years ago.

[Hidden]

Hi Robert

I've been using soda bicarb drops from Boots for many years now and they dissolve the wax easily.

I do it once a month.

So, no need to resort to dodgy micro suction or absolutely-should-never-be-done syringing

All the best!

Alps

[RobertCLL in reply to Hidden]

I also have been, once a month, using olive oil for 3 or 4 days. But afraid it didn't work for me.

[Soakie in reply to RobertCLL]

I was told by a nurse practitioner that olive oil is useless on wax removal. In fact any kind of oil - fat on fat as he said. I gather there are better over the counter solutions

[RobertCLL in reply to Soakie]

Did he say what would be a better option. ?

[Hidden in reply to Soakie]

Yep absolutely agree with you soakie

Fat on fat is a good way to describe why it DOESN'T work!

Try soda bicarb from Boots and it just dissolves the wax

Alps

[Hidden in reply to Soakie]

Hi Soakie and Robert

If interested, please see my post from 1 year ago, on how I 'got rid' of the T that I had for 40 years, just by Redefining what it actually was.

I can now honestly say it's gone!

Thanks

Alps

[RobertCLL in reply to Hidden]

Is it this post?

healthunlocked.com/bta/post....

[Hidden in reply to RobertCLL]

Yep