Wax is made by glands just inside the ear canal. The amount of wax produced is understood to be genetic. Other factors, such as certain medications or smoking, can also affect the amount of wax produced.

The Eustachian Tubes are two very narrow tubes that connect the middle ear to the throat. They have two main purposes; one is to drain fluid from the middle ear down to a small opening at the back of throat, the other is to allow pressure between the outer ear and the inner ear to equalize. The Eustachian normally lies closed and opens when you swallow, yawn or sneeze. They also open when you perform the Valsalva maneuver. This is when you hold your breathe and gently apply pressure through the nose until the ears “pop” causing the Eustachian tubes to open. Air pressure is then equalized between both outer and inner ear.

Usually any home remedy tends to block the ear, and is probably the inspiration for the old saying “Don’t put anything in your ear that is smaller than your elbow”. Like any part of your body, ear hygiene is important but you should only clean around the entrance and outside of the ear. Cerumen, or wax as it is commonly called, is made by special glands just inside the ear canal, near to the entrance. Its purpose is to protect the ear from any unwanted invaders including dust, bacteria, insects and water. Old wax will often dry and harden, and fall out of the ear naturally. It is not a sign of being “dirty”. It is a natural process. By trying to clean the ear with cotton buds, candles, hairclips, keys or any other objects will inevitably push the wax further down onto the drum and cause a blockage. Oil and waxsol soften the wax but can cause it to also fall onto the drum. We suggest you only use these if you have a scheduled appointment for microsuction ear cleaning. Any attempt to remove the wax yourself can occlude the eardrum completely, causing temporary hearing loss and sometimes pressure and pain. If earwax buildup is a reoccurring problem, regular ear wax removal is the key. It will avoid the situation where your ears are blocked, and ear wax removal is either inconvenient or unavailable. It's possible that you may produce a higher than average volume of wax, when this occurs the excess wax can be forced down the canal. It is much safer to have your ears microsuctioned. The frequency of treatment required is based on how much wax your ears are producing.

No. Using earbuds (also known as cottonbuds or q-tips) to clean your ears can often result in pushing the wax further down into the ear. Ultimately, this can lead to completely blocked ears and even infection.

Essentially, yes, wax build up can cause infection. Especially if water from swimming or showers gets trapped behind the wax. Bacteria love warmth and moisture, so trapped water in the ear it is the ideal place for infection to brew. Sometimes people can hear or feel the water trapped behind the wax. If the wax and water are not removed bacteria can take hold and it is highly probable that an infection may result. Clearing the ear of the wax and water can either prevent or stop the infection.

The main indication of an infection is pain, swelling and redness. Severe indication of infection high level of pain, odorous discharge, redness and swelling. The best treatment is to get your ears cleaned and have them assessed. Additionally you may need to see your GP.

Surfer's Ear, or Exostosis, happens when the ear is repeatedly exposed to the cold. Exostosis is where the ear tries to protect itself from continued exposure by the bones inside the ear growing in toward the centre of the canal. It can take many years but can result in complete temporary hearing loss in the one or both ears. Once the bone has completely filled the canal space, surgery will be required to remove this bone. Prevention is better than the cure. Keeping the ears warm and dry at all times is the key to preventing or slowing down this reaction by the use of special ear plugs, ear muffs or a hat.

This can be caused by wax causing irritation in the ear canal, which can in turn irritate the lining of the ear. More severe reasons are eczema or dermatitis. The first recommended step is to get your ears cleaned. Often there is immediate relief. There are over the counter low level steroid creams which can be applied around entrance to ears which will also bring immediate relief. If the cause is more severe eczema or dermatitis, we recommend you see your GP. They'll be able to advise on an appropriate treatment such as steroid ear drops.

It's always good to have your ears checked for wax, because it can build up very slowly. Alternatively, it could be because of Eustachian tube dysfunction. This is when fluid fills the small tube which runs from behind the nose to the internal side of the ear drum. Blockages in this tube can be the result of a recent cold, allergies, sinus infection or flying. There are over the counter medications or treatments such as nasal sprays and antihistamines, which can help. In some cases it can be from narrow tubes, smoking or a blockage caused by adenoids or tumours. The later causes are best dealt with by your GP.

Eustachian Tube Dysfunction's (ETD) main symptoms are dulled or muffled hearing or a feeling of pressure. It can also mimic the feeling of ears being full of wax. One or both ears can be affected. The two main causes of ETD are cold/virus or allergies/hayfever. During a cold/virus mucus can form stopping the fluid in the inner ear from draining into the throat . Ear pain can be present when the eardrum becomes tense or stretched due to a build of fluid or unequal air pressure within the inner ear. Pain is usually not constant and may come and go. If pain is constant see your GP immediately. There are often clicking buzzing or swishing sounds in the ear. Mild dizziness may occur. Hearing may come and go until the ETD completely resolves. When the inner ear is filled with fluid, sounds waves are not able to transmit sound clearly.

If ETD is caused by a cold, recommended treatment by specialists is Fess which is a saline solution and can be used 5 times a day. The solution thins the mucus. Blowing your nose afterward then helps to dislodge the mucus. Using Fess and steam in the shower also help to clear mucus. Special care must be taken when flying or when at high altitudes. Otrivin should be considered why flying or at high altitude to reduce fluid in the inner ear. Extreme pressure can cause the eardrum to burst. It often heals on its own but you may need antibiotic cover so see your GP. For allergies/hayfever see your pharmacist or GP for antihistamines, which will help to reduce inflammation and swelling. Gently performing the Valsalva manoeuvre or swallowing, yawning or chewing may also help and if you feel your ears “pop” then you know that they have opened. Symptoms are usually temporary until the ETD resolves but can take weeks or months. Specialists suggest over the counter treatments for up to 3 months before seeking further medical advice. If symptoms remain then see your GP for a possible referral to Ear Nose Throat specialist.

We are all registered nurses and have completed specialised microsuction ear wax removal training. We have over 9 years experience in the team and are well qualified and trained. We also aim to make your experience a pleasant one, and genuinely care for our clients. We don't take lightly the trust you place in us to take good care of your ears.

We serve all of the Christchurch region, and our treatment rooms are based in Bryndwr. We can by arrangement do treatments at other locations, such as resthomes when there are 5+ treatments required. List of suburbs best served by us in Bryndwr: Aidanfield, Aranui, Avondale, Avonhead, Avonside, Barrington, Beckenham, Belfast, Bexley, Bishopdale, Bromley, Brooklands, Bryndwr, Burnside, Burwood, Casebrook, Cashmere, Clifton, Cracroft, Dallington, Edgeware, Fendalton, Ferrymead, Halswell, Harewood, Heathcote Valley, Hei Hei, Hillmorton, Hillsborough, Hoon Hay, Hornby, Huntsbury, Ilam, Islington, Kennedys Bush, Lansdowne, Linwood, Mairehau, Marshland, Merivale, Middleton, Mount Pleasant, New Brighton, Northcote, Northwood, Oaklands, Opawa, Papanui, Parklands, Phillipstown, Prestons, Redcliffs, Redwood, Riccarton, Richmond, Russley, St Albans, St Martins, Scarborough, Shirley, Sockburn, Somerfield, South New Brighton, Southshore, Spencerville, Spreydon, St Andrews Hill, Strowan, Sumner, Sydenham, Templeton, Upper Riccarton, Waimairi Beach, Wainoni, Waltham, Westmorland, Wigram, Woolston, Yaldhurst.