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Call or contact us for urgent appointments, we can usually see you the same day. For urgent appointments call: 0117 986 4242
Stephen Neal is one of the only private audiology practices in the Bristol area offering a private Microsuction and earwax removal service.
Ears and hearing aids benefit from regular earwax removal, which is why we have added this procedure to our portfolio of services. If you are suffering from blocked ears caused by ear wax build up, Stephen Neal can help.
Whilst earwax has a number of positive functions, it can sometimes block the ear canal and lead to pain or temporary hearing loss. Earwax is very dense and can also cause havoc with hearing aids. If left unchecked, it could lead to whistling and feedback noises, and lesser quality of sound from your hearing aids.
Common symptoms caused by earwax build up are: Balance issues, ear pain, a blocked ear feeling, loss of clear hearing and painful when flying. There are many more but these are just a few.
Stephen Neal offers a relaxed atmosphere, allowing sufficient time with all patients to remove wax, in a safe and gentle way. Stephen Neal also offers an on-screen video image of the wax in the ear and the cleared ear after treatment.
One night with Earol trapping the oil in with Cotton wool made moist with vaseline. This will make the treatment easier for you.
We are often asked why we have ear wax. It is not as a result of poor hygiene as many people think, but a clever mix of ingredients which have an important role in protecting and cleaning our ears.
In addition to trapping dirt and any creepy crawlies, ear wax lubricates the skin, and provides anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties – ensuring the ear is kept healthy.
Ear wax naturally moves out of our ears. In fact, every time we talk, chew or yawn we are encouraging this process. Whilst many people remain unaffected by ear wax problems, ear wax can be a real issue for some.
So how would you know if you had an ear wax build up if you can’t see it?
The most common symptoms are a blocked sensation, a drop in hearing, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness and discomfort. The best way to clean the ears is to use a warm washcloth when in the shower, and gently clean the outer ear up to the opening of the ear canal only. NEVER use cotton buds as you could damage your ears. They also may compact the ear wax – making it impossible to come out in the usual way. Also, using cotton buds stimulates the ear canal to produce more wax and exacerbate the problem!
You may not think you have wax but know there is something going on with your ears! If this is the case contact the practice for an Ear Check appointment.
Following an initial discussion regarding your health and hearing, we begin by examining your ears using a fibre optic camera. The camera sits just at the entrance of the ear, and enables both you and the audiologist to view your ear canal and ear drum on a large screen. If wax is present, this will removed.
If there is no wax or debris present in the canal, there may be other tell-tale signs of what the problem is. We will perform a Tympanogram, which measures whether the mechanical function of the ear drum and middle ear cavity are working normally. This also highlights if you are suffering from any form of Eustachian tube dysfunction which is common. These results usually dictate the best next step.
If you have any referable symptoms or require antibiotic treatment, we will write to your GP with the outcome of your appointment.
Call or contact us for urgent appointments, we can usually see you the same day. For urgent appointments call: 0117 986 4242
Hearing instruments or ”hearing aids”, have developed in recent years beyond recognition. Digital works with your iPhone, iPad, Android.
Having your ears regularly checked can be a useful way to avoid issues. Make an appointment to see Stephen Neal. Go to our contact page.
No need to worry..
Microsuction is a procedure which uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome earwax. It is performed with the aid of an operating microscope and a finely calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids.
Occasionally we may need to use other instruments to remove hard wax. The technique means that we can always see what we are doing and can avoid touching the skin of the sides of the ear canal which makes the process a lot more comfortable.
Microsuction is available at Stephen Neal’s practice every week, plus he also offers this service out of hours if you can’t make a daytime appointment. Stephen Neal hearing covers areas of Bath, Keynsham, Bristol, Yate, Downend, Radstock, Frome, Bruton, Yeovil, Chippenham, Devizes and beyond.
Stephen Neal is a qualified HCPC registered dispenser and can accommodate all hearing issues, including dispensing hearing instruments (hearing aids). To learn more about the latest digital hearing, Stephen recommends Widex hearing instruments. https://www.widex.co.uk/