Here at Hearing Wellington we use a mixture of tools and microsuction to clear your ears of ear wax, debris and even the occasional insect.

Microsuction is a dry method of ear wax removal that uses gentle suction under magnification. It is considered a safer alternative to traditional ear syringing.

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What to Expect During Your Appointment

When you arrive, one of our health professionals will talk with you about your medical and ear health history and explain what will happen during your appointment. They will then examine your ear using an otoscope.

When you are ready, you will lie back on our height-adjustable treatment bed. Your health professional will gently place a small funnel into your ear and use a microscope to examine your ear canal while removing the wax or debris.

A small suction tube, usually around 2–3 mm wide, is used to gently remove material from your ear. Depending on what is needed, your health professional may also use small instruments such as forceps, a camera or other specially designed ear-care tools.

Microsuction can be a little noisy and may feel unusual. You may notice a sensation of pressure or tickling if the suction or instruments touch the ear canal. It can occasionally trigger the cough reflex.

Some people may feel slightly dizzy during or after microsuction. If this happens, you may need to sit and rest for a few minutes before leaving.

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Your Comfort Comes First

Your comfort is our top priority. Throughout the appointment, your health professional will explain what they are doing and check that you are comfortable.

If anything feels uncomfortable, or if you would like something explained again, please let us know. We can pause or adjust the procedure as needed.

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If Your Ear Is Very Blocked

Sometimes an ear is particularly blocked or the wax is too hard to remove comfortably. In these cases, we may use a solution to help soften the wax, such as almond oil, saline or hydrogen peroxide (6%).

You may be asked to wait for a few minutes while the solution takes effect.

In some cases, an ear may be so heavily blocked that we cannot safely or comfortably remove the wax during the first appointment. If this happens, we may ask you to return on another day after using a softening solution for longer.

If you need to return for a second appointment because the wax requires additional softening, the follow-up appointment will be charged at our discounted rate of $45.

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Not Sure If You Need Microsuction?

We offer free ear checks for anyone who isn't sure whether they need microsuction.

You're welcome to pop in at any time during our opening hours. One of our friendly staff members can take a quick look inside your ear using an otoscope and let you know whether an ear wax removal appointment may be helpful.

If you do need an appointment, we're happy to help you book one. If microsuction isn't required, we may be able to point you in the direction of the right person or service for your needs.

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Supporting Our Community

Hearing Wellington is a charity, and we're fortunate to have our Ear Wax Removal team as part of our organisation. Their work helps support and fund the community projects we deliver.

We value the time our Ear Wax Removal team gives to Hearing Wellington. For this reason, all appointments are charged at the same rate, whether or not ear wax is found or removed.

This means that even if your ears are clear, your appointment still helps support the work we do in our community.

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