What Causes Wax Blockages?
Our canals are coated in skin which sheds like every other part of our body, our ears naturally produce wax in order to pick up these shedding skin cells to carry them out of the canal.
A small amount of wax in the ear canal is perfectly healthy as wax is responsible for preventing infections, and keeping our ear canals hydrated.
Wax can become problematic for various reasons, some of which are as follows:-
- It can be due to the natural shape or size of the canal:
When someone has narrow canals, or sharp bends in the canal it can cause the wax to get caught within the canal, it then hardens and over time can slowly block the canal completely.
- Dried skin, or skin related conditions:
As the wax is produced to remove shedding skin cells, if the skin is dry, or there is a skin related condition it causes the wax to also become dry. This then slows the migration process and causes the wax to harden, this may then block the canal.
- Wax displacement:
When the wax migration is disturbed, or pushed back into the canal, it causes the wax to dry and harden. This, therefore, slows or stops the migration process altogether. This can be caused by many things, such as, cotton bud use, water, hearing aid use, custom ear plugs etc.
Our Services
We specialise in wax removal, primarily using microsuction which is quick and easy as it uses very gentle suction to remove wax. Wax removal via micro suction is considered safer than other methods such as syringing. The procedure will be performed by a qualified trained clinician who will talk you through each step of the removal.
The Consultation
The consultation will involve an extensive case history, a full examination of both ears followed by video otoscopy which will allow you, the patient, to see inside your own ears but more importantly so that we can keep a detailed record and visually explain the next steps. The consultation will take up to 30 minutes, this includes time needed for the wax removal procedure.
The Cost of Your Appointment
Consultation Only - £25.00
(When either there is no wax present or just a check)
Wax Removal One Ear - £45.00
(Including Consultation)
Wax Removal Two Ears - £80.00
(Including Consultation)
In clinic appointments for wax removal take up to 30 minutes.
Please note: for anyone under 16 we would advise emailing us at admin@ecclinics.com before making an appointment so we can arrange an initial phone consultation.
Our Commitment to You
Our prices include a full consultation as stated above.
It is not always possible or safe to remove the wax in one session. Because of this we offer a second appointment to ensure the best chance of a clean and complete removal, while ensuring the highest standard of safety and comfort during the removal.
We also include a wax treatment plan in order to help guide you on the best way to manage your wax long term. This can reduce how fast the wax builds up.
When wax is properly managed wax removal procedures are usually required less frequently.
For More Complex Wax Build Up
We aim to remove your wax within the first appointment, depending on your wax build up/ response to procedure this may not always be possible.
In the instance of a complex, extremely compacted wax build up or other complications where additional appointments are required the following will apply:
Second Appointment for a Already Treated Ear -
Free of Charge (Within 3 Months of Original Procedure).
Subsequent Additional Appointments -
Either £45.00 For One Ear or £80.00 For Two Ears.
We are also able to offer home visits for special circumstances/ nursing or care homes. The following costs would apply:
£80.00 fee and no extra charge up to 5 miles from Bourton-on-the-Water.
6 - 10 Miles from Bourton-on-the-Water add £10.00
11 - 15 Miles from Bourton-on-the-Water add £20.00
16 - 20 Miles from Bourton-on-the-Water add £30.00
Outside clinic appointments for wax removal may take up to 1 hour.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
We recommend using a drop of olive oil in the affected ear(s) 3 consecutive nights before your wax removal appointment.
Micro suction is usually more effective when the wax is harder in texture, during the procedure we will add more olive oil if/when required.
Olive oil is recommended rather than any other type of ear drops, it is completely natural and is unlikely to have any adverse effects on the ear canal.
The Team
Jason and Emma are audiologists with over 18 years experience between them. They know better than anyone how much wax occlusion can impact people in their everyday lives and how tricky it can be to find a wax removal service. Their reason for specialising solely in wax removal is to offer the best dedicated care with as little stress and inconvenience to their patients. This is also their reason for providing clinics in GP surgeries and community hospitals as well offering nursing/care home visits.
Jason Barlow Emma Western
FdSc HAA FdSc HAA
Ear care clinics Locations:
Cotswold Medical Practice
Cotswold Medical Practice
Cotswold Medical Practice
30 Bassett Road
Northleach
Cheltenham
GL54 3QJ
Monday 9am - 1pm
North Cotswold Hospital
Cotswold Medical Practice
Cotswold Medical Practice
Stow Road
Moreton-in-Marsh
Gloucestershire
GL56 0DS
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Broadshires Health Centre
George Moore Community Clinic
George Moore Community Clinic
Broadshires Way
Carterton
Oxon
OX18 1JA
Thursday 9am - 1pm
George Moore Community Clinic
George Moore Community Clinic
George Moore Community Clinic
Moore Road
Bourton-on-the-Water
Cheltenham
GL54 2AZ
Friday 9am - 1pm
Contact Us:
Please feel free to call us or send an email.
Hours:
Open today | 09:00 – 17:00 |
