Are you interested in professional ear cleaning? Here at The Clinic, we offer ear cleaning through micro suction ear wax removal performed by an accredited and experienced doctor - Dr Sudeep Kolli.
We are a Melbourne medical centre (located in the suburb of Werribee) and warmly welcome you to book an appointment with Dr Kolli. We are easily accessible as we’re located on Princes Highway and we’re a short walk from public transport.
If you’re considering professional ear cleaning in Melbourne but you’d like to know more information, we’ve written this article that covers the various aspects involved.
The topics include:
You can read this article in its entirety or click to skip ahead to the area that interests you.
Why You Should Consider Professional Ear Cleaning
We’d first like to emphasise that ear cleaning isn’t always necessary. We do, however, encourage you to see a medical professional experienced in ear cleaning if you do wish to have the procedure done.
Ear wax performs an important function within the ear canal. Some signs and symptoms may indicate that ear wax build up or impaction may be causing some issues, and your doctor can investigate and discuss your symptoms.
That’s why seeing a doctor experienced in ear cleaning may be helpful, as they, along with you, can determine if the procedure is the right choice. A doctor, being highly experienced in many aspects of health, can assess your physical and reported symptoms. Based on their assessment, they may discover that your ear discomfort is caused by something other than ear wax build-up.
If you are experiencing ear wax build up or impaction, then your doctor will perform ear cleaning.
If you’d like to book an appointment for micro suction ear wax removal at The Clinic, please contact us on 9741 1200.
Understanding ear wax build up
We all have ear wax, but what exactly does it do?
Ear wax has the important role of protecting our ears. It does so through preventing unwanted foreign objects like bacteria, dust and more from entering and potentially damaging the sensitive eardrum. It also protects the ear canal’s skin from getting irritated by water.
For the most part, ear wax works its way to the entrance of the ear where it will then fall out or be washed away. There are, however, cases when the ear produces excess wax that the ear can’t clear which can then form into a hard blockage, also known as an impaction. DIY ear cleaning can also cause blockages. You can learn more below about at home ear cleaning and why we don’t recommend it.
The signs and symptoms of ear wax build up
Ear wax build up or impaction (also known as a blockage) can cause an array of symptoms. They include:
Earaches, pain, itchiness or infections
Tinnitus (often a ringing sound in the ear)
Vertigo or dizziness
Reduced hearing or hearing problems
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Discharge or odour coming from the ear
And more (your doctor can discuss)
What causes ear wax build up?
There are many causes of ear wax build up. They include:
Overproduction of ear wax
Narrow, hairy or abnormally shaped ear canals
At-home cleaning with cotton buds or similar
Spending time in dust or dirty environments
The use of hearing aids, ear plugs and other foreign devices in the ear (including earbuds such as Airpods)
This list is by no means exhaustive, but includes several of the most common causes of ear wax build up.
The dangers of DIY ear cleaning
We never recommended at home cleaning methods like cotton buds/q-tips and ear candling.
When attempting at home cleaning, you may be doing more damage than good.
For example, when you put a cotton bud inside your ear, you are likely pushing ear wax deeper into the canal which can cause blockages and impaction. It also comes with added risks of pushing the bud in too far, or accidentally damaging your eardrum.
The best way to clean your ears at home is to simply wash away the excess with a warm washcloth, but do not enter the ear canal.
If you’d like professional ear cleaning in Melbourne, then you can also book an appointment with us.
What is Micro Suction Ear Wax Removal?
Micro suction ear wax removal is the process of removing excess ear wax from the ear canal through vacuum suction. The professional performing the procedure uses a small, gentle suction device. This method of ear wax removal is often more precise when compared to other ear cleaning methods as the healthcare professional can see exactly what they are doing through the use of a microscope or magnifying loupe.
Why micro suction is our preferred method
Here at The Clinic, Dr Sudeep Kolli performs micro suction ear wax removal. He was first drawn to the method as the associated risks* are thought to be lower than ear syringing (also known as ear irrigation).
Other reasons include:
It's suitability for most people, including those who have a history of ear infections, have a perforated eardrum or have had ear surgery (as with any procedure, please check with your doctor if this method is right for you and your medical history)
Patient comfort: generally, micro-suction is reported as being more comfortable as the method is quite gentle, even for those with sensitive ears
The results: while most methods of ear cleaning performed by a healthcare professional will adequately remove ear wax, micro suction can be more effective at removing hard or impacted wax and it can remove wax from further into the ear canal. Please note that though it is thought to be more effective, it is not without risk* and it's best to discuss the procedure with your doctor so you can make an informed decision.
According to RACGP’s peer-reviewed medical journal Australian Family Physician “Microsuctioning is generally well tolerated, safe and efficacious. It also has the advantage of not exposing the ear to moisture and thus has fewer contraindications and is associated with a lower frequency of infections. Discomfort due to noise is the greatest complaint. However, there is no clinical evidence that this affects hearing”.
You can read The Australian Family Physician's informative article for more information on ear wax management where it also cites research studies.
*The risks of micro suction ear wax removal
As health professionals, we always want to inform our patients of any risks associated with a procedure. As with any medical procedure, micro suction is not without risk. The risks may include: damage to the ear canal or eardrum if the recipient or professional were to move suddenly, temporary hearing changes or tinnitus, dizziness or vertigo, minor ear canal abrasions, infection, incomplete removal requiring a follow-up procedure and exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.
It’s important to discuss the risks of any procedure with your doctor so you can make an informed decision on whether it is right for you.
Ear cleaning FAQs
If you have a question about our professional ear cleaning service, then read on to see if we have answered it. If not, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
What method of ear cleaning do you offer?
We offer micro suction ear wax removal performed by Dr Sudeep Kolli.
What is micro-suction ear wax removal?
It’s the process of removing ear wax through vacuum suction. You can see more in-depth information above.
Do I need ear wax removal?
It's important to see your doctor (or book an appointment at The Clinic) to discuss any concerns you have around ear wax build up or your ear health. Ear wax removal isn’t always necessary and your doctor can assess your symptoms and discuss with you whether you may benefit from it.
Does ear cleaning help tinnitus?
Professional ear cleaning, like micro suction ear wax removal, may help with the symptoms of tinnitus. We always recommend that you see a medical professional if you have tinnitus symptoms where you can also discuss whether ear cleaning is right for you. Your doctor may investigate other potential causes of tinnitus.
What areas do you service?
We are a Melbourne medical centre based in Werribee. We see patients from our local and surrounding areas, but a large number of patients travel from all over Melbourne and beyond. We often see patients from Geelong too. Wherever you’re located in Victoria, we warmly welcome you.
Find us at 15 Princes Highway, Werribee.
Booking your professional ear cleaning appointment with The Clinic
If you’d to book an appointment with Dr Kolli for Micro Suction Ear Wax Removal, then please call our reception staff on 9741 1200. They will happily assist you in scheduling your appointment. For standard appointments, you can call or book online.
You can learn more about our Melbourne medical centre, The Clinic, by exploring our website.
Services offered by The Clinic
We provide our patients with vast range of services. They include:
Skin Cancer Clinic (for skin cancer screening and treatment)
Travel Clinic (for travel advice and travel vaccinations)
K-Laser Therapy (laser pain management)
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