Ear Wax Removal

People of any age (children under 14 will first need to have an appointment with the GP or Registered Nurse) 

People who have ear canals blocked with wax or debris, fluid due to ear infections, cotton buds to hearing aid ends.  

You do not need a Doctor’s referral. Simply book in by calling 09 274 7823.

We use low suction microscopy techniques while viewing the external ear canal with an oto microscope to suction wax or debris from ears. Essentially, we gently vacuum wax from your ear canals.

You typically do not need to pre soften the wax in your ears. Occasionally someone may have hard wax, in which case a few drops of cooking oil (it can be any cooking oil) applied to both ear canals the night before suction will help - you can do this ahead of your appointment if you like, but otherwise, just come as you are.
It is not necessary to try to pre-clean your ears. Never ever use small objects (such as cotton buds) to clean ears as you could compact any wax further, or even damage your ears.

Current charges:
$25 for one ear
$45 for adults
Free for enrolled tamariki under 14 (nurse assessment required prior to treatment)

Cash, EFTPOS, Credit on the day of treatment.

For those who wear hearing aids, it may be necessary to have wax removed more frequently. This can be due to the partial blocking of the ear canal by the hearing aid preventing wax from exiting the ear by normal process. This build up affects the ability of hearing aids to work well. Also, the mildly corrosive effects of wax on hearing aids decreases the long-term life of your hearing aid investment.

It is not advisable for those wearing hearing aids to have syringing of their ears to remove wax due to a damp ear being more at risk of an ear infection, further hearing damage, or tinnitus.

If your ears feel blocked, sore, pressured or you are having trouble hearing you may need your ears cleaned. If you have noticeable wax buildup that you can see, there is discharge from your ears, or you are experiencing itching in your ears, this could also be an indication that it’s time for a check-in

Ear wax varies from person to person, as well as varying due to lifestyle factors and practices, genetics, climate and environmental factors, levels of stress, hormones and age. So there is no single answer to this other than to pay attention to comfort, health and cleanliness, and to seek treatment if you have discomfort or symptoms such as blocked ears, or affected hearing. This could be quarterly, annually, or more or less depending on a number of factors.

Ear wax is a normal and even important part of keeping your ears healthy. The substance (cerumen) is actually a protective substance that is there to protect your ear drums and ear canal. Cerumen which forms ear wax plays a beneficial role in keeping your ear canals moisturised, collects dust and can help prevent ear infections. But sometimes, depending on many factors including genetics, health and your environment, it can become excessive, or too dry or hard, and require clearing out.

Anyone who is having discomfort or other symptoms of blocked ears (such as difficulty hearing) should get a check-up to see if you need ear micro-suction cleaning. If you have a history of excessive wax build-up, you may need to do this more regularly.

Yes, if your child is experiencing ear issues, you'll first need to schedule an assessment with a doctor or registered nurse to determine the appropriate care. To get their ears micro-suctioned, they must remain still throughout the procedure.

The ear micro-suction cleaning technique is one of the most safe and effective ways to clean your ears, especially when performed by a professionally trained nurse or other practitioner. All our teams are well trained and experienced in a clean medical environment to ensure safety. It is safer than ear syringing as there is less contact with the ear drum and no water is injected into the ear, reducing the risk of infections afterwards.
As with any medical procedure there are occasional side effects or risks - which can include dizziness, faintness, rare occurrences of infection or trauma to the ear, or effects on hearing. These are rare and your care team will discuss any concerns you have with you.

Cleaning by micro-suction does not hurt. There may be minor discomfort depending on your sensitivity and the hardness of any wax in your ears, but you should not experience any pain (unless you have a pre-existing condition that is exacerbated by your ear’s condition before cleaning).

Many health practitioners offer an ear cleaning service. Our micro suction clinic is available in Flat Bush South Auckland at our Local Doctors Dawson Road clinic.

You can either be referred by your GP or self-refer.

Recommended after care;

• Do not use cotton buds – this will only push wax deeper into the more sensitive regions of the canal and introduces risk of infection and ear damage.
• Stay away from swimming for 3-5 days after having ear wax removed.
• After your shower, use a towel to gently wipe around the ear canal to reduce wax buildup.
• To keep water out of your ears in the shower, tilt your head forward and consider using earplugs or Vaseline-coated cotton wool.