Risks of Ear Wax Removal
Ear wax removal is a procedure that has been performed in GP Practices for decades until recently where it has been classified as a specialist service by the government.
Microsuction is considered to be the safest method of ear wax removal. Most procedures pass completely without incident, which is partly down to the inherent efficiency and safety of the method, and partly down to the skill of our clinicians.
Like any medical procedure, despite our best efforts and high level of training, sometimes things happen that we would rather not happen. These tend to be minor in nature, and few and far between
Listed below are the risks involved during the Ear Wax Removal procedure.
Although these are rare it is crucial you are aware of these risks and consent to the procedure.
This is rare, but as with any procedure you undergo, there is a small risk of infection following micro suction ear wax removal.
All tools used with micro suction are single use and discarded after each procedure
However, if you do experience this, there are treatments that are very effective at clearing up any infections.
Known as the “Threshold Shift”.
A temporary threshold shift is a temporary shift in the auditory threshold.
It may occur suddenly after exposure to a high level of noise, a situation in which most people experience reduced hearing.
A temporary threshold shift results in temporary hearing loss.
This can be a result of the micro suction being noisy
Also, people who find that loud noise, such as a vacuum cleaner or a hand dryer, cause them physical pain may have a genetic mutation that makes them susceptible to hearing damage at a far lower noise level than normal.
In these very rare cases, dry instrument removal may be preferable to microsuction.
The majority of people do not have this mutation and can have microsuction perfectly safely.
The most common side effect is some dizziness, faintness or vertigo during or shortly after the procedure.
This is temporary and is because Micro suction ‘cools’ the temperature of the ear canal.
If you have pre-existing tinnitus, micro-suction ear wax removal may exacerbate it .
Normally, the problem will be temporary, but there are people who have reported ongoing problems with their tinnitus after micro-suction.
There are also people who have reported the onset of chronic tinnitus from micro-suction
Although rare, it may occasionally involve more than one visit due to the inability to remove the wax or debris.
- Minor bruising or grazing: Some discomfort of the ear canal post procedure can happen, especially for people with very narrow ear canals, or with a narrow point within the ear canal. This may be due to a large piece of wax coming down a narrow canal
- Bruising is more likely, but still rare, with the dry instrument removal procedure as some pressure is applied in the direction across the canal when hooking or scooping the ear wax.
Resources
Please see links below to find out more about Tinnitus and Ear Wax Removal
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She completed her Registered General Nurse Training in 1996 and has an extensive background of experience within GP Practice and Urgent Care settings.
She has worked in Oxford, Leicester, London and also travelled extensively overseas and worked aboard cruise liners as a Nursing Officer.
She is competent in treating Adults and Children at an Advanced Level and is an Independent Nurse Prescriber.