Ear Irrigation
Ear irrigation is a popular method for removing earwax build-up from the ear canal. It involves gently flushing the ear canal with warm water to break down and wash away any excess wax. In this guide, we’ll explain the ear irrigation process, how to prepare for it, and what to expect after the procedure.
When is Ear Irrigation Necessary?
Earwax is a natural substance produced by the glands in your ears to protect, lubricate, and clean the ear canal. In most cases, the earwax will naturally migrate out of the ear. However, some people may produce an excessive amount of earwax or have difficulty with natural earwax removal, leading to a buildup. Some common signs that you may need ear irrigation include:
- Difficulty hearing
- Earache or pain
- Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ear)
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Ear infection
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional, like our nurse Jenny, to determine if ear irrigation is the right solution for you. Read
What to Expect During the Ear Irrigation Procedure
At Clear & Hear Ryedale, our NHS trained nurse, Jenny, will perform a thorough examination of your ears before recommending ear irrigation. If this procedure is deemed appropriate for your situation, you can expect the following steps:
- After assessing the ear, Jenny will prepare the machine to ensure that the water reaches the optimum temperature.
- When you are happy with the temperature, Jenny will gently introduce a controlled stream of warm water into your ear canal using specialized equipment.
- The water will help to break up and flush out the earwax and debris, which will then be collected in a basin held under your ear.
- Jenny will carefully inspect your ear canal to ensure that the impaction has been effectively removed and provide any necessary aftercare instructions.
- Once Jenny is happy that the canal is free of wax, she will gently dry the canal using cotton and a specialist tool called a carbon buck curette.
Benefits of Ear Irrigation
Ear irrigation offers numerous benefits for individuals experiencing earwax impaction or other ear-related issues. These benefits include:
- Improved hearing: Removing excess earwax can help to restore your hearing by clearing any blockages in the ear canal.
- Reduced pain and discomfort: Earwax buildup can cause pressure and pain within the ear. Ear irrigation can alleviate these symptoms by removing the impacted wax.
- Decreased risk of infection: Earwax impaction can lead to ear infections. Clearing the blockage through ear irrigation can help to prevent such infections.
- Enhanced quality of life: Clearing earwax impactions can improve your overall well-being by reducing ear-related issues and improving your ability to hear and communicate effectively.
Precautions
Before the procedure, inform the nurse if you have any of the following conditions:
- A history of eardrum perforation
- Mucoidal discharge in the past year
- A middle ear infection in the last six weeks
- Problems after previous ear irrigation
- Previous ear surgery
- Pain or tenderness in the ear at the time of the appointment
The National Institute for Health & and Care Excellence (NICE) has produced guidelines on when and how to remove earwax, which includes recommendations on the suitability of irrigation for people with specific conditions and histories.
Aftercare
Following an ear irrigation procedure, it is normal to experience a slight sense of fullness or popping in the ear for a short period. This should subside within a few hours. To ensure a speedy recovery and minimize the risk of infection, it is important to:
- Avoid inserting anything, including cotton swabs, into your ear canal.
- Keep your ears clean and dry, especially after showering or swimming.
- In line with NHS advice, we recommend the regular use of olive oil (once a week), to help reduce the need for future irrigation or microsuction.
- Follow any additional aftercare instructions provided by Jenny.
*Jenny recommends Earol, which is olive oil in a spray form. It fits easily into the entrance of the ear canal, and is easy to direct, with no need to lay down after use.
Clear & Hear is not affiliated with Earol, it’s just a recommendation!
Schedule an Appointment with Clear & Hear Ryedale
If you're experiencing any symptoms related to earwax buildup or other ear-related issues, don't hesitate to reach out to Jenny at Clear & Hear Ryedale. Serving Ryedale and surrounding areas in North Yorkshire, we provide professional, compassionate care to help you maintain good ear health. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, please contact us today.
Professional Ear Care at Your Home
Safety and Hygiene Practices
Protection & Cleanliness
Jenny wears medical grade PPE and ensures all instruments are sterilized before and after each use. We also use single-use items where appropriate.
Sterile Environment & Waste Disposal
We follow strict techniques to maintain a sterile environment during procedures and dispose of medical waste according to local guidelines.
Hand Hygiene
Clear & Hear adheres to the highest standards of safety and hygiene in all our ear care service. Our nurse practices thorough hand hygiene before and after each appointment.
After Treatment Care
After each appointment Jenny provides you with clear instructions on how to maintain ear hygiene and care for your ears after treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
with Clear & Hear
If you’re experiencing any symptoms related to earwax buildup or other ear-related issues, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jenny at Clear & Hear Ryedale. Serving Ryedale and surrounding areas in North Yorkshire, we provide professional, compassionate care to help you maintain good ear health. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, please contact us today.
- Call or text 07999325656
- clearandhearryedale@gmail.com
- @clearandhearryedale
- clearandhearryedale
Our Reviews
"I come highly recommended by all of my customers and guarantee I will remove the wax safely, even if this means a few visits, all at one price!
Not everyone will benefit from irrigation and if I think it won't help you, I will tell you!"
omg! I can hear again ! 👂
Had some big chunks of wax blocking both ears and wow.
Not been able to hear like this for a long time.
Big thankyou ! 😁Recommended 100%
Amazing service. Jenny is so lovely and so nice to have it done in your own home. I will be highly reccomending Jenny.
It’s a 10 star from me. One happy Customer. I can highly recommend this wonderful service
I had a blocked ear on Monday and nothing I tried was helping. I have a very important gig on this Saturday, so was desperate to hear so I could rehearse and be ready for the "Relay for Life" gig.
This amazing lady went out of her way to fit me in yesterday, she turned up at my house with all her kit and less than 10 minutes later I could hear again.
Excellent service. Very professional and friendly. Prices:
Consultation fee - £30 ( waived if treatment is required )
Irrigation - £30 per ear
Microsuction - £40 per ear
Discount for group bookings (Residential / care homes)
Clear & Hear Service Areas
Jenny can come to all the following areas, including anywhere inside the area marked on the Google Map below
- Easingwold
- Great Ayton
- Guisborough
- Harrogate
- Loftus
- Middlesbrough
- Northallerton
- Redcar
- Ryedale, all
- Scarborough
- Stamford Bridge
- Stokesley
- Thirsk, & beyond
- Whitby
- York, and surrounding villages
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to use olive oil prior to the appointment?
There is a common misconception around the need to soften ear wax before microsuction. I have even seen some franchises advertise ‘no oil required’!!
However the latest research has proven that to enable safe and comfortable extraction, whether with irrigation or microsuction, olive oil should be used for at least 3 days prior, and preferably 5 days. I recommend Earol, which is olive oil in a spray form. It fits nicely into the entrance of the ear canal, and because it’s a spray it gets right to where it needs to be, with no need to lay down after use.
When earwax is old, dry and hard, the chances of causing irritation to the ear canal are much increased and this can lead to infections of the skin. It can also make the procedure more uncomfortable and much longer than it needs to be!
If you think you need assistance with ear wax removal, it would be a good idea to start preparing, even before you make your appointment. You can then make sure that the wax is soft and ready for pain free extraction 
Why do I have so much wax?
Wax is a perfectly normal production and does in fact have a use. Wax is formed as a result of a process called epithelial migration (EM). EM is the process of the ear drum shedding its skin and the dead skin making its way down the ear canal. Over approximately 12 months the dead skin moves along the ear canal where it eventually mixes with oil and sweat present on the skin, and dust from the environment, before turning into wax.
Most of the time this wax will continue it’s journey out of the ear canal completely unnoticed. Unfortunately, for some people the wax can’t quite make it out and can build up, eventually blocking the ear canal.
A number of factors can effect this:
- Dry skin
- Oily complexion
- Excessive sweating
- High fat diet
- The use of hearing aids
- Wearing ear buds or ear phones
- A dusty occupation
- The use of ear buds or other cleaning devices
- Genetics
- Excess hairs in the ear canal
It is very tempting to use things such as cotton buds, however research has shown that this can irritate the ear canal, which in turn makes the ear produce more wax.
In addition, recent studies have shown that ear products containing ingredients such as bicarbonate of soda, have also found that this can further dry the skin in the ear canal and again produce more wax.
Wax is made to help protect the ear canal from invading pathogens or foreign objects and for that reason we should try leave it alone to do its job. However, if a wax build up is causing issues, having it removed professionally is the safest option.
Our ear drums are very delicate and we should be extremely careful what we put in our ears! Looking after our ears should be a top priority. The regular use of olive oil helps moisturise the ears and also soften wax for easy extraction. I advise all clients to use olive oil drops once weekly.
The product I recommend the most is Earol, which is just olive oil, but in a spray form that’s fits nicely into the entrance of the ear canal. Because it’s a spray it goes right to where it needs to be with no need to lay down afterwards.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment please get in touch.
Are you part of a franchise?
No, I started my business in response to the NHS withdrawing funding to GPs for the service, resulting in many GP practices no longer offering an important ear health service.
I had also been planning for several years to offer a service for people suffering earwax issues who are unable to leave their homes.
Do you do earwax removal for children?
Yes! All I ask is that they must be accompanied by their legal guardian, and be able to sit still for at least 20 minutes.
Where do you operate?
- The entirety of Ryedale
- Easingwold
- York and surrounding villages
- Stamford bridge
- Harrogate
- Thirsk & beyond
- Northallerton
- Middlesbrough
- Redcar
- Stokesley
- Guisborough
- Great Ayton
- Loftus
- Whitby
- Scarborough
- And all the areas in between!!