So What Exactly Happens During Microsuction Earwax Removal?

Micro Suction Earwax Removal

Microsuction earwax removal is a mainstay of the clinical ear care we offer in our hearing aid centre in Worcester and our Stratford Hearing Centre. As part of our commitment to offering cutting edge and comprehensive ear care to our Patients we felt that we needed to offer this service.

In order to offer the service we have invested in the best available clinical ear care equipment available and we designed a purpose-built suite for undertaking clinical ear care. We offer irrigation earwax removal as well, but we find that many of our customers prefer microsuction.

Why Microsuction?

We believe that microsuction is probably the safest, most comfortable method of earwax removal. No liquids are introduced during the procedure which is undertaken with a microscope and a finely balanced medical suction device. The fact that there is no liquids involved in the procedure tend to mean that it is very comfortable with the least possible mess or fuss. Using the microscope we can clearly see into the ear canal as we are working, being able to clearly see what we are doing makes the procedure exceptionally safe.

What Happens During Microsuction?

The microsuction procedure is relatively simple, you will arrive for your appointment and be booked in. At the beginning of the procedure we will ask you a series of ear health questions in order that we get a full understanding of your ear health to date. Some of these questions are designed to give us an idea about any contraindications to performing the procedure. We do this to ensure that the procedure is safe for you. There would be very few reasons why we should not be able to undertake micro-suction.

We will then view the ear canals to assess wax levels if, in fact, you do have wax we will then move onto the removal procedure proper. In some cases, people who think they have a wax problem actually don’t and the ear canals are clear. In this case, we will perform a screening test on your hearing to assess any issues. If we feel there is a problem we will ask you you wish to book in for a hearing examination proper.

Removing The Wax

The procedure itself is usually quite quick, but it depends on the amount of wax involved and its consistency. We will use a microscope and a large specula (cone-shaped implement). We place the specula in the ear in order that we can focus through it and get good access to the ear canal. We then use the suction device to remove the wax gently. Once we have finished, we will again view the ear canal to make sure it is clear. We will repeat the process on the second ear if need be.

After The Removal

After the removal procedure is finished, we will always as a courtesy undertake a screening test on your hearing. This allows us to establish some information about your ability to hear. If we see anything that may concern us, we will ask you if you wish to be booked in for a full hearing examination.

If have any questions or if you would like to book an appointment for earwax removal at our Worcester hearing centre or our Stratford hearing centre, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01905617803 or 01789 264111, alternatively book your appointment online now.

BOOK YOUR EARWAX REMOVAL

Endoscopic Earwax Removal, A First For Worcester

As part of our continual commitment to offering both choice to our customers and cutting edge clinical ear care services, we continually training to make our services better. We are committed to adopting new practices and services if they make sense for our customers and meet the best practice gold standard.

In line with this belief, we decided to introduce endoscopic earwax removal to our centre and we are the first in Worcester to do so. Victoria has undergone the training and become certified to offer the service. She was so impressed with it that she believes that all earwax removal should be done in this manner.

What is Endoscopic Ear Wax Removal?

Endoscopic ear wax removal is a newly introduced procedure that involves the removal of ear wax with the help of an endoscope. The endoscope is used to view the ear canal while the ear wax is being removed.

What is an Endoscope?

An endoscope is an instrument used in medical procedures to look inside the body. You may have seen one on TV during operations on medical shows. An endoscope is usually attached to a video monitor for easy viewing.

How is it performed?

The procedure is performed using a specialist endoscope.  We are using a specially designed and developed video oto-endoscope (oto means ear) for ear wax removal called the ‘iCLEARscope’. The tip of the video oto-endoscope is placed into the ear canal to provide a high-definition (HD) view of the ear canal and ear drum to allow us to remove the earwax.

What’s the advantage?

The advantage of the endoscope over any other method is that the video monitor gives a very wide and clear view of the ear canal. It is also very easy to view and allows far easier movement.

How long does it take?

The earwax removal typically takes between 15 to 30 minutes to perform. This of course can vary, there are several factors that the length of time depends on:

• the amount and type of of ear wax
• how deep the ear wax is
• the method of wax removal (manual or suction)
• whether it is being performed on  one or two ears

What are the benefits of Endoscopic Earwax Removal?

We have a full and direct view of the ear canal while the wax is being removed. The view is even better for us than the microscope. It is also easier to manipulate the suction tool or any other tool we are using. This makes the procedure quicker, safer and more comfortable. Other benefits include:

There is often no need to apply ear drops to soften the wax, which is the case with ear irrigation. However, a spray of pharmaceutical olive oil he evening before your appointment about an hour before bed, will help condition the skin and make the procedure even more comfortable

There is no liquid used, as is the case with other methods of wax removal. The procedure is performed dry which eliminates the risk of infection of the ear canal or ear drum.

Unlike wet methods of ear wax removal like irrigation, the procedure can be performed on people with perforated eardrums or grommets, mastoid cavity and cleft palate.

Exceptionally Safe

The view of the ear canal provided while we work allows us to clearly see what we are doing makes this procedure exceptionally safe. Because there are no liquids involved, it is also especially comfortable. I will be undergoing training and certification myself shortly. So if you are looking for earwax removal in Worcester or Stratford Upon Avon,

Request your Consultation Now by Ringing 01905 617803 or Simply Book it Online.

The question we ask is who will be coming with you?

If you call us to arrange an appointment we will ask you who will be coming with you? Some people are a bit surprised by that, they haven’t thought about bringing anyone.

Who should accompany you?

The term we use is a significant other, that may your partner, one of your children, even a close friend. The key is that they are someone who spends time with you.

Why is a one other important?

A balanced view

There are several reason why somebody accompanying you to a hearing test is important. Firstly, hearing loss affects more than just you, it is very helpful for us to get the perspective of someone who knows you well. Often, your companion will be more aware of what you are actually missing. We always find that a companion will give us a balanced view.

A familiar voice

Having a familiar voice available also allows us to assess how well you might do with hearing aids. You know the voice, you have been listening to it for some time, the difference hearing aids might make should be immediately evident to you.

A lot of information

During your appointment, there is a lot of information given to you. Having a companion with you means they can take notes and ask questions you might not have thought of.  Two heads as the saying goes, are better than one.

So with that in mind, if we ask who is coming with you, don’t be surprised.

If you have any questions about the hearing test, hearing aids or any other hearing care, please don’t hesitate to contact us

Request your Consultation Now by Ringing 01905 617803 or Simply Book it Online

We got some fantastic customer reviews recently and we felt we should share them. We are blessed by customers who are happy to tell us how well we are doing for them.

“I should have come here in the first place because the service is very good”

They take trouble over you, give you coffee, they make sure you come back and taht your hearing aids are working well and doing check ups. I enjoy seeing them very much. I can recommend anyone to go to Worcester Hearing Centre.

Mr Derek Barkes

“They always make sure to make me feel special”

Very nice and friendly people, they always make sure to make me feel special when I go there, they’re very kind and provide a great service.

Mr John Swindin

“I would never go anywhere else, I’m very happy here”

I don’t need to find anybody else, I would never go anywhere else, I’m very happy here. Worcester Hearing Centre is very sociable, professional, scientific, comfortable and caring.

Ms Sybil Chapman

We know that when you are choosing hearing aids that you are making an important long-term decision. It is a major investment that you would like to get right. There are many technical details and a lot of technical language around hearing aids. For the uninitiated it can be difficult to penetrate, we do our best to explain the details in the clearest possible language avoiding as much as possible the techno jargon.

We thought it would be a good idea to make an easy reference hearing aid guide for our customers and for others looking for information. So today we are launching the Worcester Hearing Centre Hearing Aid Guide. it will detail:

• The different types of hearing aids
• The different technology levels of hearing aids
• The different hearing aid features

We hope you find it useful, it is a free download, so just click on the image below and a pdf will open in a new window. You can save it from there and use it on any device. Feel free to share it around if you wish.

The Hearing Aid Guide

We have partnered with an Irish company to offer an online hearing test. The company Ctone provides a cloud based hearing test service that can be used across websites. The hearing test takes a couple of minutes and will give quite accurate indications of your hearing based on your responses.

Simple Sound Test

The test is pretty accurate, but it is no replacement for a full and comprehensive hearing test. However, if you are worried about your hearing it is a quick and easy place to start. We believe that any tool that helps to raise awareness and allow people to begin to understand their hearing is a good tool. We hope you enjoy it and find it useful. You can use the test at the following link.

If you have any questions about the hearing test, hearing aids or any other hearing care, please don’t hesitate to contact us

TAKE YOUR ONLINE HEARING TEST

Phonak Recently launched their latest hearing aids for people with severe to profound hearing loss. They have become famous for their Naida range which delivers benefits for people with this type of loss. Originally introduced in 2007 they have gone through several updates. This time the get a new chipset and completely new designs, smaller and more powerful than before they now offer power coupled with discretion.

Matt Gilbert

The launch event was attended by Matt Gilbert, who is in fact one of our customers and the and number eight for Worcester Warriors. Matt is the only deaf professional sportsman in England.

In 2012 Mat was fitted with a Phonak hearing device. Since then he has worked as a celebrity ambassador for Phonak, helping to raise awareness of hearing loss and encouraging children with hearing loss to excel. He discussed his experiences with The Naida devices, he also explained how wireless accessory devices from Phonak had changed his life.

Matt has profound hearing loss, however using Phonak’s wireless accessories like the com pilot and the TV link allows him to use his mobile phone and watch television with his wife without subtitles. This something that he was unable to do before he began wearing the Naida and availaing of the wireless accessories.

He really feels that this integrated solution has made a huge difference for him, giving him complete freedom. One of the things that really struck us was the fact that Matt was so pleased that he could take his own mobile phone calls now. Before the Naida and the Com Pilot his wife would have had to do it for him.

We are pleased that Phonak have launched the Naida V, the new Venture platform is really fantastic and now that the Naida has the technology on board it gives us a chance to fit Matt with the very best available technology.

Phonak

Naida Venture Hearing Aids

Phonak is a hearing aid manufacturer that is renowned for solutions for severe and profound hearing loss. Their latest addition continues and builds on that historical legacy.

They have just launched the latest addition to their now famous Naida range. The new addition is based on the Venture chipset and brings all of the benefits of that new platform to people with severe and profound hearing loss. The range is available in four levels of technology which include the V90, V70, V50 and V30.

The new range brings new form factors with much smaller and more powerful devices than available in the older Naida Quest range. It also packs in some great updated features with new strategies to deliver as much sound information as possible.

Feature run down

Sound Recover 2

With a new version of Phonak’s sound Recover strategy the Naida offers more high frequency cues than ever before. This allows access to the nuances of sound that you may not be able to hear.

Water resistant

The range is rated to IP68, which means it will survive immersion in one metre of water for sixty minutes without damage. Phonak are circumspect calling it water resistant, but another manufacturer calls this waterproof. One way or the other this range will quite happily get in the shower and the pool with you.

More robust

The casing is made with a new glass fiber reinforced material, the Naída V is now 60% more robust than its predecessor which together with its resistance to water should really give you confidence it won’t fail.

AutoSense

As part of the Venture platform the new Naida range benefits from Autosense and all of its features. This allows it to deliver the best possible experience in a range of sound environments.

The hearing aids

If you have any questions about the Phonak Naida range or you would like to experience the difference, call us on 01905 617803 or book your appointment online now.

Simple Question, Not A Simple Answer

It is a question we get asked quite a bit, it seems a simple one, but as with many things, there is not a simple answer. Let me explain.

New Users of Hearing Aids

When you are a new user of hearing aids we advise that you slowly ease yourself into wearing your hearing aids. You have probably had a hearing loss for many years and wearing hearing aids brings back all of the sound that you have been missing. Some people find it exhilirating and don’t mind the change, others can find it a bit too much.

A Staged Approach

We advise a staged approach, wearing the hearing aids for a few hours at a time and building up to wearing them all of the time over a two week period. This approach allows you to slowly ease yourself back into the world.

Why You Should Wear Them All The Time

There is a strong argument that you should wear your hearing aids all of the time once you have become used to them. In order to complete your auditory rehabilitation you really need to wear the hearing aids as much as possible. In essence the brain becomes better at sound perception the more it is delivered sound. However, it really is your choice, you can make the decisions and really, you should be in the driving seat.

You make the decisions, you are in the driving seat

Beyond The Newbie

Beyond the early stages of amplification there are times that you should consider when you wear your hearing aids. We know several customers that have what they call a deaf day. A day where they don’t use their hearing aids for a long period of time or perhaps at all. Normally it is a day where they are on their own and expect no visitors. They simply like to have a day of quiet or near quiet. So if you fancy just getting away from the world and relaxing, feel free to remove your hearing aids and chill out.

In The Shower

Please god not in the shower, unless of course the aids are water proof or designed to be immersed in water. For instance a lot of the new Phonak Venture hearing aids are okay to immerse in water of up to three foot for a limited amounts of time. So if you jump in the shower and forget to take them off, you don’t really have to worry. Don’t shower or swim with your hearing aids unless you know they are suitable

Sweating A Lot?

Again, if you are exercising or sweating a lot you should consider taking your hearing aids out. Although as with the shower and swimming if your hearing aids are designed to manage then you have no need to worry. Matt Gilbert, who is one of our customers, wears his hearing aids while playing rugby for Worcester Warriors. In fact his hearing loss is such that he needs his hearing aids to hear anything. So the answer here is if your hearing aids are designed for it, no worries, if they aren’t just make sure that you be sensible.

If you have any questions about the Phonak Naida range or you would like to experience the difference, call us on 01905 617803 or book your appointment online now.