Why do I produce earwax?
Earwax (also called cerumen) plays an important role in keeping our ears healthy. It traps dust, dirt, and bacteria so they don’t travel deeper into your ear, and keeps the skin inside your ear canal moisturised to prevent dryness and itching.
How often should I clean my ears?
In most cases, everyday movements such as chewing and talking help push wax toward the outer ear, where it can flake away naturally or be wiped away in the shower. But sometimes wax can build up and cause blockages (also called impaction).
Signs of earwax buildup include:
- Reduced or muffled hearing
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Itching or discomfort
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Dizziness (in rare cases)
If that happens, it’s important to know you’re receiving care from professionals who are trained and certified, and who use the safest techniques available.
Is Tympa Health safe?
Microsuction is widely recognised as the safest, most effective way to remove excess wax without flushing water into your ear. It’s proven to remove mild to severe wax buildup, and is much safer than risking damage to your ears by attempting to clean them at home.
All Resonate Health audiologists and health navigators have received their healthcare certification in earwax removal using microsuction. This qualification ensures our team meets the recognised standards of competence and safety, and can provide you with safe, effective services every time you visit us.
What happens during a ClearEars appointment?
ClearEars is New Zealand’s most comprehensive and best value ear cleaning service. Here’s what you can expect during your 30-minute appointment:
- Your local Resonate Health Audiologist or Navigator will ask you about your ear health, history and any symptoms of wax buildup/hearing loss you are experiencing.
- Before the wax removal, we’ll perform an otoscopy and tympanometry to examine the structures of the ear and see how well your hearing system is working.
- During your appointment, if they find a buildup of wax, they will use the Tympa Health device to safely suction it from your ear, combined with wax softening and manual removal where needed. Most people find this process comfortable, quick, and pain-free, and notice an improvement in their hearing straight away.
- After your appointment, we perform a quick post-clean otoscopy and tympanometry to ensure the ears are clear and healthy after the wax is removed.
- Follow-up care and advice: We will send you a follow-up email, and we are also available for a call if you need extra support.
If you’ve been struggling with blocked ears, muffled hearing, or itching/discomfort, book in for a ClearEars appointment at your nearest studio today.
Resonate. The Podcast
Hello! I’m Clara. After 24 years of practising audiology in New Zealand, I still think of myself as a young lady – chatty, curious and loving a good belly laugh. I was born in Zimbabwe 53 years ago and grew up in that wild and lovely country with my two sisters and two brothers. I came to New Zealand in 2002 and settled in Tauranga, where I joined the community choir and enrolled in the local library to enjoy my two life loves: music and reading.
