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Writer's pictureHamed Qadiri

Methods of Ear Wax Removal: Benefits & Drawbacks

If you have been looking into professional ear wax removal for any amount of time, you will have come across multiple different treatments. Naturally, it can be confusing to know which treatment is best–if indeed there is any single best treatment. Ear Wax Solution is a clinic based in Horley, and our experts can provide you with a detailed breakdown of each commonly used method of ear wax removal–and their advantages or drawbacks. Some common methods include:


  • Microsuction

  • Syringing/ irrigation

  • Use of candles


There is no doubt that some of these methods are far more effective than others—some, indeed, being potentially unsafe let alone ineffective. Read on to find out more.


Ear Wax Removal Treatment: Is It Important?

Before we turn to the methods themselves, it’s important to briefly establish why treating your ears for wax is important. Over time, ear wax will accumulate in our ears. Everyone produces it at different rates, and for some, it may never be a problem. For many, though, we produce so much ear wax, or cerumen, that it can become impacted and hardened in the ear canal. This causes at the very least pain and discomfort and in the worst cases can leave permanent damage to your hearing. When done right, ear wax removal is a very simple process–so what is the best method?



Ear Wax Removal via Microsuction

It is widely agreed now by most experts that microsuction is the best and most effective method for treating impacted ear wax. When carried out by experts, such as our ear wax specialists in Horley, microsuction is a quick, safe, and entirely painless process. Microsuction works by using a specialised implement to create a gentle vacuum which pulls the earwax out of your ears. Microsuction is highly beneficial for many reasons:


  • Quick process: typically takes only minutes

  • Pain-free: Since it is virtually non-invasive, you will not experience any pain

  • Highly effective: As the most modern and up-to-date method, microsuction is the most effective


Syringing Ear Wax Removal

Another common, albeit more dated, method of ear wax removal is known as syringing. Before the advent of microsuction technology, syringing was the preferred method. As the name suggests, this method involves the use of a syringe which pushes water through your ear canal in an attempt to flush the wax out. For this reason, this method is also sometimes known as irrigation. While it is still used, it has largely been replaced by microsuction. There are a few reasons for this:


  • Possibility of complications: Because syringing introduces water into the ear, there is a far greater chance of complications with this procedure. Even when done correctly, the method presents risks.

  • Side effects: Even without the possibility of long-term complications, syringing typically comes with a few side effects. These can range in severity from uncomfortable inflammation in the ear canal to the slight if non-negligible possibility of inner ear infections.


Microsuction vs Syringing

With all that considered, if we take microsuction and syringing as the two most common methods of ear wax removal–which is the more advantageous? At Ear Wax Solutions, our experts believe firmly that microsuction is the better method. Whereas syringing presents possibilities for multiple side effects, some with serious, long-term implications, microsuction is a safe procedure with virtually no risk.


Are Microsuction Tools Too Loud? The Data

One suggestion about a possible advantage of syringing over microsuction relates to the noise produced by microsuction devices and the implications for your hearing. Anecdotally, stories have cropped up over the years about the possibility of hearing damage caused by this noise. However, repeated studies have shown that there is no real risk of any danger of this sort–quite the converse, that the safety and efficacy of this method are virtually unparalleled.

Ear Wax Candling: The Evidence

In recent years, another method of ear wax removal has become popular and gained traction particularly online. This method is known as candling. Using a cylinder of waxed cloth which is inserted into the ear, with the other end being lit. The idea is that the heat then draws the wax out of the ear. This method, however, has been roundly discredited by trained professionals–there is no evidence that it is effective. Beyond that, the procedure naturally presents many dangers–such as in the case discussed in this study in which a woman had hot wax dripped into her ear canal. Ear wax candling is dangerous and ineffective, and should be avoided.


The Verdict: Which Method is Right?

In virtually all cases, microsuction is the best method of ear wax removal. It is the most effective, the least invasive, and virtually free of any risk of significant side effects. If you are looking for ear wax removal in Horley, our professionals will generally recommend this method. There may be rare cases, such as for those with especially sensitive hearing, where syringing is preferred due to the lack of noise–but our experts will always consult with you to get the clearest picture of your needs.


Get in Touch

To discuss your needs for ear wax removal, you can contact our team today. We have clinics in Horley, East Grinstead and Epsom, as well as offering mobile services in the comfort of your home. Our experts will ensure you fully understand the process and get the best treatment–reclaiming your hearing and comfort.




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