This quotation has been taken directly from "Ear Care Guidance from the NHS Modernisation Agency" read the full article here.
"The metal syringe is obsolescent for use in the ear canal. The syringe design is inherently dangerous. Combined with the danger of the syringe itself and the pressure of water it creates within the ear canal, there is the difficulty of disinfecting the syringe after each use. The Medical Devices Agency (MDA) also has reservations about the use of the metal syringe for wax removal. There are issues around the poor manufacture of some syringes allowing them to break and cause injury during use and the pressure of water that can be exerted manually on the tympanic membrane. " That's just one of many pieces of advice that are available just by having a quick google search yet many private practices and local authorities are still carry out ear wax removal via syringing! I want to hear from you if you have been affected by having your ear wax removed by this frankly archaic method. Some people love it, others hate it! Were your results good, poor, worse than poor. A good old debate to get to the bottom of this is needed. Please let us know how you feel and what your service your GP is offering if any... I'll look forward to your comments :) Further info on our modern E-Suction Endoscopic methods can be found here
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The team are slightly (make that very) excited today at Audiology Associates, this is the launch day of our ground breaking new service of Endoscopic E-suction® Ear Wax Removal Service! What does that me to you as the patient? If you use Audiology Associates to remove your stubborn ear wax you can say goodbye to the ear syringe forever! Many GP practices have stopped offering ear syringing or irrigation due to its inherent risks. Audiology Associates combine the best ear care professionals, latest technology and clinical evidence to provide safe, simple and effective ear wax removal across our South Wales clinics. Innovative Technique This new innovative Endoscopic E-suction® technique is carried out by our fully ENT trained and accredited Audiologists using an ‘ear’ endoscope (oto-endoscope). This is the only endoscope of its kind with CE marking. (The CE marking is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the requirements of the applicable EC Directives) The endoscope, is an instrument used to look inside the body and is usually attached to a video monitor for easy viewing, although direct viewing is also possible through the eyepiece of the endoscope. The tip of this light-weight, portable and easy to operate video oto-endoscope is placed into the ear canal opening to provide a high-definition (HD) and wide ‘panoramic’ view of the entire ear canal and ear drum to facilitate effective ear wax removal. Endoscopic ear wax removal typically takes between 10 to 25 minutes to perform. This can vary depending on the amount and type of of ear wax, how deep the ear wax is inside the ear canal. It is usually performed with you comfortably sat on a chair with your head titled to the side slightly so that the ear with ear wax can be easily accessed. The Benefits Unlike ear syringing or ear irrigation, where ear wax is flushed out blindly, with endoscopic ear wax removal the ear wax is being directly viewed with the endoscope whilst it is being removed. This makes the procedure much quicker, safer and comfortable for the patient. Other benefits of endoscopic ear wax removal and E-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 case with ear syringing or ear irrigation. Nonetheless, the use of ear drops is still recommended where ever possible for 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 and accidentally ‘pumping’ ear wax deeper into the ear canal. Unlike ear syringing and 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. children’s marble) that may be lodged inside the ear canal. When and where can I have this procedure, I hear you ask..... Our ENT Trained specialists Audiology team carry out this procedure in the following locations throughout South Wales Cardiff Newport Merthyr Tydfil Abergavenny Ebbw Vale Chepstow Ystrad Mynach If you would like to gain further insight into this innovative procedure or book for your stubborn ear wax to be removed, Please call the team today and help us celebrate the launch of this amazing new service. Before and after endoscopic wax removal |
AuthorHi! I'm Leah, Archives
October 2018
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