At Noosa Hearing, a common question we hear from patients is:
“Should I use ear drops before my ear wax removal appointment?”
The short answer? No — it’s better to leave that to us.
Let us explain why.
Why We Prefer to See Your Ears First
When you come in for a microsuction appointment at Noosa Hearing, the first thing we do is a thorough otoscopy – this means we visually examine your ear canals to assess:
- The type of ear wax you have
- How much wax is present
- Where it’s positioned in your ear canal
From there, we determine the safest and most effective method to remove the wax. If any softening or treatment is needed, we can administer it on the day using clinically approved solutions.
The Problem With Over-the-Counter Ear Drops
Products like Waxsol or Cerumol might seem like a good idea, but in reality, they often create more problems than they solve.
These drops tend to:
- Make a mess in the ear canal
- Cause the wax to swell, leading to temporary hearing loss
- Block the canal even more, making it harder to assess and treat
If you’re travelling or overseas and unable to access a clinic, these drops can be a stop-gap measure. But if you can get to us in Noosa, it’s best to wait and let us assess your ears first.
What If My Ear Wax Is Hard or Impacted?
Even if your ear wax is dry, hardened, or impacted against your eardrum, we’ve got you covered.
During your appointment, we’ll carefully assess the condition of the wax. If needed, we can apply a softening treatment on the day and then safely remove the wax using microsuction or dry curette techniques.
Will You Use Water to Flush Out the Wax?
No – we never use water for ear wax removal.
Water-based irrigation is an outdated and risky method, and it’s not used at Noosa Hearing. Irrigation relies on forcefully flushing water into the ear canal, hoping to dislodge the wax. This assumes:
- Your eardrum is fully intact
- There is no infection or inflammation
- You won’t experience vertigo or dizziness from the water temperature
We don’t believe in making those assumptions. Instead, we use safe, modern technology designed to gently and precisely remove ear wax.
Why Choose Noosa Hearing for Ear Wax Removal?
Our team of audiologists are Masters-qualified, with advanced training in:
- The anatomy and physiology of your hearing and balance system
- Safe and effective techniques for ear wax removal
- Identifying conditions that make certain removal methods unsafe
We are highly trained to manage even the most complex ear canal cases with care and precision.
Is There a Medicare Rebate for Microsuction?
Currently, microsuction with an audiologist is not covered by Medicare.
Some private health insurance plans may provide rebates for audiology consults, so we encourage you to check with your insurer.
Book Your Appointment Today
Ready to have your ears professionally cleaned?
Make a booking with us online today. We’ll take care of your ears — no mess, no fuss, no unnecessary drops.
And if you’re curious, we’re always happy to show you the ear wax plug we’ve removed — just let us know if you’d rather not see it!
Book Online Now: Online Booking
Noosa Hearing – your local experts in safe, gentle ear wax removal.
