Introduction:
Excessive ear wax can lead to various problems, such as hearing loss, itching, vertigo, tinnitus, and sometimes pain. Therefore various treatment options are available to remove the excess wax, such as ear micro suctioning or vacuuming. Microsuction or vacuuming is one of the most commonly used techniques to remove excessive wax from the ear. However, the building up wax in the canal is a normal body process, but sometimes it needs to be removed if it starts causing problems.
What Is Ear Wax?
Ear wax or cerumen is produced by the glands in the skin of the cartilage-covered portions of the ear. The ear wax primary function is to protect the eardrum and ear canal from dust particles and microorganisms and helps in the normal functioning of the ear. Generally, the cleaning of ear wax is not always required as it dries up and falls out of the ear by jaw movements such as eating or talking. However, ear wax is found in every person, and the smaller or oddly shaped ear canals may make it difficult for the wax to get out of the canal naturally, which can lead to wax impaction leading to ear wax buildup.
What Are the Indications for Ear Wax Removal?
Ear wax generally does not cause any problem however, if a person starts to have difficulty in hearing or pain, then they should not take it lightly and should seek medical help. Some of the usual signs that show a person has too much ear wax that needs to be removed include -
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Partial Hearing Loss - A person might not be able to hear sounds or conversations the way they used to hear and may strain to understand what people are saying.
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Muffled Sounds - The sounds while hearing might not be clear.
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Itching - Ears can be itchy, and a person might feel scratching the inner parts of the ear, which can even damage the ear.
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Fullness In Ears - An individual may feel that his ears are full and may feel an increased pressure in the ear.
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Tinnitus - Ringing or buzzing sensation that can develop or get severe with time.
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Pain - An infection can occur because too much ear wax leads to ear pain.
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Dizziness - A person may feel off balance, possibly described as feeling lightheaded or faint.
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Vertigo - A feeling that everything in the surrounding is spinning or moving.
What Are the Causes of Ear Wax Buildup?
As already mentioned in the majority of people, the ear wax gets washed away or falls out as the new wax replaces it. However, in people where wax is formed in large amounts and does not get cleared properly, ear wax buildup can lead to blockage of the ear canal.
The blockage can also occur whenever someone tries to remove ear wax using cotton swabs or other items. This way, they usually push the wax deeper into the ear canal rather than remove it.
What Is Ear Vacuuming or Microsuction?
Ear vacuuming or micro-suction is a procedure by which ear wax is removed from the ear under the microscope. With the help of a microscope, the ear wax can be directly seen and removed using a low-pressure suction or a fine, sterile probe (micro suction).
How Is This Procedure Performed?
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ENT doctors usually perform this procedure by using a high-magnification binocular operating microscope.
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Before the procedure, the doctor will assess the severity of the blockage in the ear. This is done by using an otoscope which is used to look inside the ear.
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It is usually performed with the patient lying down on the bed with their head tilted to the side.
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The removal of wax is done using the vacuum machine. It is a painless procedure that does not cause discomfort to the patient.
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It follows the same principle as a normal household vacuum cleaner and uses a small amount of pressure to remove the wax from the canal.
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It usually takes 15 to 30 minutes, although this can vary depending on the amount and type of ear wax and how deep it is in the ear canal.
This is a pain-free procedure and does not cause any complications. If the ear wax is vacuumed with the required pressure, it is first softened to make the removal easier.
What Are the Benefits of Ear Vacuuming?
In the procedure of ear vacuuming, the ear wax is directly visualized under the microscope. Therefore, it is easy to remove, and the amount of wax remaining in the canal can also be seen. However, in other techniques, such as ear irrigation or syringing, the wax is flushed out blindly, and it is not easy to assess whether all the wax is removed. Therefore this makes this procedure quicker and safer for the patient. Some other benefits of ear vacuuming include the following -
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This procedure does not require applying ear drops for wax for several days prior, as in the case of ear syringing or irrigation. However, in some cases, before micro suctioning, ear drops may also be advised.
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This is a dry procedure, and no water is used for flushing into the ear canal as in other techniques like ear irrigation, where the chances of infection and accidentally pumping the ear wax deeper is higher than ear vacuuming.
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Ear vacuuming can also be performed in people with a perforated eardrum or cleft palate, but ear irrigation or syringing cannot be performed in patients with these conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of Ear Vacuuming?
Ear vacuuming is considered the safest procedure for removing ear wax. However, there are some complications related to it which include -
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Dizziness - Some people can feel dizzy or faint during this procedure or shortly afterward. This can happen due to a falling ear canal temperature. However, this is temporary and gets resolved after some time.
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Trauma - As this procedure involves the insertion of the tube inside the canal, there is a small risk of damage in the ear canal or the eardrum. This can only occur if the patient makes sudden movements during the procedure.
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Noise Damage - The equipment used for ear vacuuming can make some noise which some patients can find very loud and can cause temporary hearing loss in those patients. This occurs as the tiny muscles in the ear contract to protect the ear against loud noise. In rare cases, tinnitus (ringing noise inside the ear) can also occur or may get worsen if already present.
Another limitation of this procedure is that the area of vision is very narrow as microscopes are used to visualize the ear canal. Therefore constant readjustment of the microscope, head of the patient, and tube inside the ear is required to refocus and visualize the ear wax.
Conclusion:
Ear vacuuming or micro-suction is a very safe and gentle method to remove excess ear wax accurately. Even with conditions such as ear drum perforation or infections, it is safe to remove ear wax without any risk of pushing it further into the ear.
