FAQ
Frequently asked questions about ear wax and ear wax removal.
What are the best ear drops to use?
Probably olive oil...
Do I need to put oil in my ears for 2 weeks prior to making an appointment?
No
This is a good thing to get done from time to time, right?
No, not really. Unless you’ve got excessive wax in the ear, you’ll just be spending money for no reason. If you do have excessive ear wax, you’ll be noticing one or more of the following symptoms: - ear feels blocked - loss of hearing (or your friends and family are complaining of your loss of hearing!) - dizziness - pain or mild discomfort - itchiness - water getting trapped in the ear after swimming or bathing
I normally clear my ears successfully with ear drops. Why is it not working this time?
PROBABLY what’s happening here is that every time you’ve used ear drops in the past, you’ve shifted the wax a little in the ear by softening it. Maybe even brought a little of it out. But not all of it, and so the ear has blocked up again in due course
Do you do hearing tests?
Yes, but not normally at Portobello Surgery/Conan Doyle (exceptions can be made). If possible, I prefer to test hearing at Borders Hearing Care in Galashiels, where the environment is more conducive to hearing tests (ie it’s quieter!), and I have more equipment to test your hearing more accurately and comprehensively.
How can I prevent this happening again?
Honestly, this is not straightforward...
Should I put oil in my ears routinely – does it prevent wax build-up?
The only time I recommend this as an approach is if your ear wax is naturally very hard and dry (and builds up frequently). In this case, a build-up can cause discomfort and dizziness. A little olive oil periodically (once per fortnight/month) can help keep this in check. However, for most people, regular application of olive oil further softens wax that was soft to start with...turning the wax into a soupy mixture which tends to flow down the ear and coat the eardrum, which just makes things worse. So...unless you've been advised that you have naturally hard ear wax, avoid this practice!
Is ear candling safe?
My considered professional opinion is... no.
Do I need to be a member of Portobello or Conan Doyle surgeries to get ear wax removal from qb earcare?
No. qb earcare operates out of both of these surgeries but our service is open to anyone
Which procedure should I get - microsuction or irrigation?
Both are good, and both have their risks