Endoscopic Wax removal / E-suction® £80
What is the difference between E-suction® and microsuction?
Microsuction derives its name from the use of an operating microscope to visualise the ear canal and a suction machine providing low power vacuum (micro + suction).
E-suction® utilises a special endoscope to visualise the ear canal instead therefore it is endoscopic ear suction instead (E-suction®)!
The wax removal procedure performed using an ‘ear’ endoscope (oto-endoscope). We use the ‘iCLEARscope®’ developed by a consultant ENT surgeon and consultant audiologist. The tip of the video oto-endoscope is placed into the ear canal opening to visualise the blockage and to check the ear canal and ear drum.
Unlike ear syringing or ear irrigation, the oto-endoscopic allows simultaneous observation of the ear canal and blockage whilst it is being removed with the appropriate instrument. This makes the procedure much quicker, safer and comfortable for the patient.
Other benefits of oto-endoscopic ear wax removal and suction include:
No wax removal procedure is risk free, some of the risks and side effects of ear wax removal shared with endoscopic ear wax removal include:
Microsuction derives its name from the use of an operating microscope to visualise the ear canal and a suction machine providing low power vacuum (micro + suction).
E-suction® utilises a special endoscope to visualise the ear canal instead therefore it is endoscopic ear suction instead (E-suction®)!
The wax removal procedure performed using an ‘ear’ endoscope (oto-endoscope). We use the ‘iCLEARscope®’ developed by a consultant ENT surgeon and consultant audiologist. The tip of the video oto-endoscope is placed into the ear canal opening to visualise the blockage and to check the ear canal and ear drum.
Unlike ear syringing or ear irrigation, the oto-endoscopic allows simultaneous observation of the ear canal and blockage whilst it is being removed with the appropriate instrument. This makes the procedure much quicker, safer and comfortable for the patient.
Other benefits of oto-endoscopic ear wax removal and suction include:
- A much wider view of the ear canal and eardrum compared to a microscope.
- There is not always the need to apply ear drops for wax (e.g. olive oil or sodium bicarbonate ear drops) for several days or weeks beforehand, which is the recommendation with ear irrigation. However, the use of ear drops is still beneficial so where ever possible we advise ear drops for at least one or two days prior to having endoscopic ear wax removal performed.
- No water is being flushed into the ear canal like for ear syringing or ear irrigation. Instead the procedure is performed ‘dry’ significantly reducing the risk of infection.
- Unlike ear irrigation, it can be performed in people who have a perforated eardrum or grommet, mastoid cavity and cleft palate, in addition to any foreign object (e.g. playdoh, beads, cotton bud tips) that may be lodged inside the ear canal.
No wax removal procedure is risk free, some of the risks and side effects of ear wax removal shared with endoscopic ear wax removal include:
- Damage and trauma to the ear canal and eardrum (including perforation).
- If E-suction® is being performed a loud noise can be generated in the ear canal due to the suction. In some people this can cause hearing loss (temporary or permanent) and tinnitus (ringing type noise inside the ear) or worsening of it if already experienced. This is rare.
- E-suction® ‘cools’ the temperature inside the ear canal which can lead to faintness, dizziness or vertigo. This is due to the ‘caloric’ effect and is normally short lasting.