A microsuction appointment at Charnwood Hearing Centre begins with questions about hearing and medical history, continues with an examination of the ear canal under magnification, and finishes with the wax being removed through a small suction tube. Most appointments take around 20 to 30 minutes for both ears. The procedure is noisy because the suction takes place close to the eardrum, but it should not be painful, and the clinician can see the whole of the area being treated throughout. No water is used at any stage, and the practice recommends microsuction first.

When is microsuction needed?

Earwax is normal and helps protect the ear. It forms in the outer part of the ear canal, and a healthy ear moves it outwards on its own, which means wax only needs to be removed when it causes a problem. Symptoms that point towards a build-up include muffled hearing, a blocked or full feeling, tinnitus, earache and dizziness. There is no set interval for removal, because wax production varies from person to person. Some people need it removed rarely, and others produce wax quickly enough to need regular appointments.

How should the ears be prepared before a microsuction appointment?

Softer wax comes out more quickly and with less sensation, so preparation is worthwhile. NHS audiology departments advise putting olive oil drops into the ear twice a day for five to seven days before the appointment. Hard, dry wax is a common reason removal cannot be completed in one visit, and softening it beforehand addresses that directly. The practice will advise in advance when softening drops are likely to help.

Cotton buds are best avoided in the days before the appointment, because they push wax further towards the eardrum and can damage the small hairs that help move wax out of the ear naturally.

Anyone who takes blood-thinning medication should say so when booking, since bleeding is a recognised if occasional effect of microsuction. A perforated eardrum or previous ear surgery should also be mentioned, because both influence which removal method is suitable.

What happens at the start of the appointment?

The clinician begins by asking about hearing, current symptoms such as a blocked feeling, tinnitus, earache or dizziness, and any relevant medical history. The procedure is explained, questions are answered, and consent is confirmed before anything starts.

The next step is an examination of each ear canal using magnification. This shows how much wax is present, how hard it is, how close it sits to the eardrum and whether the eardrum itself is visible. Wax is not always the cause of symptoms, and the examination establishes whether it is. If something else appears to be responsible, the clinician explains what has been seen and advises on the next step.

How is wax removed during microsuction?

Using magnification, the clinician guides a fine metal suction tube to the wax and draws it out gently. The tip of the tube stays in view for the whole procedure, so the clinician controls exactly where it sits and how close it gets to the wall of the canal.

Staying still matters during this stage. Movement increases the chance of the tube grazing the skin of the canal, which is delicate and irritates easily. The clinician explains each stage as it happens, and the patient can say at any point if something feels uncomfortable so that the procedure can be paused or adjusted.

Should anxiety about the procedure be mentioned beforehand?

Yes. The noise is the part of microsuction that unsettles people most, and anyone who has had an uncomfortable experience with syringing in the past is likely to feel apprehensive about a second procedure of any kind. Mentioning this at the start of the appointment lets the clinician explain each stage before it begins and agree a pace with the patient. Knowing in advance what the sound is, and that it comes from the suction tube working close to the eardrum, makes it considerably easier to tolerate.

What should the patient tell the clinician during the procedure?

Anything that feels wrong should be mentioned at once. This includes pain, a sharp sensation, dizziness or a sudden change in the sound. Because the clinician is watching the canal under magnification, a pause takes only a moment, and the clinician can then change angle, adjust the suction or stop. Speaking up early is far more useful than waiting for the procedure to finish, and clinicians would rather be interrupted than leave a patient uncomfortable.

What does microsuction feel and sound like?

The sound surprises most people more than the sensation does. Because the suction happens close to the eardrum, it seems louder than it is, and NHS leaflets describe the procedure as quite noisy because of the vacuum. The noise is a whooshing or crackling sound, and some people find it startling for the first few seconds.

The sensation is usually a light tickle or a slight pulling feeling, with mild pressure if the wax is firm or sits deeper in the canal. A brief feeling of dizziness is possible, caused by cool air passing through the ear canal, and it generally passes quickly. Genuine pain is not expected, and any pain should be reported straight away so the clinician can stop or change approach.

Can microsuction cause side effects?

Microsuction is a safe procedure and complications are rare. Slight irritation of the ear canal can occur, and bleeding happens on occasion, which is why blood-thinning medication needs to be mentioned beforehand. Afterwards, mild sensitivity or a slightly dry feeling in the ear canal can last for a few hours and settles without treatment. Persistent pain, discharge or reduced hearing after the appointment should be reported to the practice.

How does microsuction compare with ear syringing?

Microsuction is an alternative to water syringing. Because it uses no water and the clinician watches the wax being removed, there is no pressure pushed into the canal and no guesswork about what is happening inside it. Controlled-pressure irrigation is a recognised method that remains appropriate for some ears, and the choice between the two depends on the findings at examination.

Is microsuction suitable for a perforated eardrum or previous ear surgery?

Microsuction is generally regarded as one of the safest options for people with a perforated eardrum or a history of ear surgery, because no water enters the ear canal. NHS suction clinics exist specifically for patients who cannot have routine irrigation for these reasons. The clinician still assesses each ear individually after examination before deciding how to proceed.

When is irrigation used instead of microsuction?

Charnwood Hearing Centre offers both microsuction and controlled-pressure irrigation. Microsuction is recommended first, and irrigation is used when it is clinically appropriate for the ear in question. The decision follows the examination and is explained to the patient. Irrigation uses water, so ears with a perforation or previous surgery are treated with microsuction.

What happens if all the wax cannot be removed in one visit?

The majority of people are fully cleared in a single appointment. When wax is very hard or deeply impacted, the clinician may recommend a further period of softening drops and a second appointment. In some cases a referral to an ENT department is the appropriate next step, and the clinician explains the reason if this applies.

What happens after a microsuction appointment?

Many people notice clearer hearing almost immediately once the wax has gone. The clinician explains any aftercare that applies to the ear that has been treated, and cotton buds should continue to be avoided so that the ear can keep clearing itself naturally. How soon wax builds up again differs from person to person, which is why the interval between appointments is worked out individually rather than set in advance.

Who carries out microsuction at Charnwood Hearing Centre?

Appointments are carried out by trained members of the practice team. The practice aims for clinician continuity where possible, so that returning patients see someone familiar, although a particular clinician cannot be guaranteed.

The team at Charnwood Hearing Centre brings many years of combined experience in ear care and hearing care to every appointment, for patients in Anstey and across Leicestershire. To book a microsuction appointment, click here.