The ear is made up of three main parts – the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear – which all work together to help us hear. Sound waves enter the outer ear and travel down the ear canal to the eardrum, causing it to vibrate. These vibrations are passed through three tiny bones in the middle ear – known as the hammer, anvil, and stirrup – which amplify the sound and send it into the inner ear. The inner ear contains a spiral-shaped structure called the cochlea, filled with fluid and lined with tiny hair cells. These hair cells move in response to the vibrations and turn them into electrical signals, which are sent to the brain through the auditory nerve. The brain then interprets these signals as sound.

These are the procedures I use to safely remove wax from the ears:

Ear microsuction is a safe and effective procedure that uses a gentle suction device to remove excess earwax from the ear canal under direct vision, often using a microscope or specialist Otoscope.

Ear irrigation is a procedure that involves gently flushing the ear canal with warm water to soften and remove built-up earwax, helping to clear blockages and improve hearing.

If you have any of these symptoms, please book an appointment for an assessment and treatment if required.

• A feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear
• Reduced or muffled hearing
• Earache or discomfort
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
• Itchiness in the ear canal
• Dizziness or balance issues
• Coughing (due to pressure on the ear canal’s nerves)