THE EAR CARE CENTRE Established 2012.
Our Services
Our Services
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What is Microsuction?
What is Microsuction?
It is a procedure which uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome ear wax.
Ear wax microsuction is performed with the aid of our Zeiss OPMI PICO operating microscope and a finely calibrated suction device, without the introduction of any materials or liquids. Ear wax removal is presently carried out in GP surgeries through ear irrigation, which involves injecting a jet of water into the ear to remove the wax (the old ear syringing method precedes ear irrigation, is not performed anymore). This is not always effective and very often is described as uncomfortable or unpleasant by patients. Microsuction is very well tolerated by the majority of people, gives you fast results hence it is much more effective than the traditional wax removal methods. It is also SAFE, as the physician can see the structures inside your ear. Very rarely people may need wax softening with ear products, commonly olive oil, typically however, most clients manage to have their ears cleared in one session without any wax pre-treatment.
Our clients will be able to follow the procedure on a TV screen if so desired, acquiring a better understanding of their conditions and the procedure/treatment. The Ear Care Centre provides daily clinics which are run by Dr. David Crispin-Chavez, a local General Practitioner in the East Surrey area, with extensive training and experience in Ear Nose and Throat surgery.
A Modern & Safe Ear Wax Removal procedure performed by our ENT trained Doctor
A Modern & Safe Ear Wax Removal procedure performed by our ENT trained Doctor
We aim to provide high-quality and affordable ear care, with flexible same day appointments and without the need of a GP referral. We pride ourselves on our reputation of rapid access and professionalism. We combine cutting-edge technology and physician led services with a calming, patient-focused atmosphere.
Our company is based on the belief that our customers' needs are of the utmost importance. Our entire team is committed to meeting those needs. As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals.
Ear Wax Microsuction
Ear Wax Microsuction
Instant relief from blocked ears due to wax build up. No need for softening agents/ear drops before microsuction. Also when ear irrigation is contraindicated as a result of previous ear surgery, perforated ear drum, ear infections or dizziness as a result of previous ear syringing.
Chronic Ear Infections
Chronic Ear Infections
Unfortunately a significant proportion of patients have recurrent ear infections and need frequent care and treatment. We offer flexible daily appointments and can also prescribe antibiotics if needed. No GP referral required.
Swimmer's Ears
Swimmer's Ears
It does not happen only to swimmers! Anybody can develop an ear canal infection. Cleaning of the ear must be done before any external or middle ear disease can be diagnosed.
Post Ear Surgery Care
Post Ear Surgery Care
Microsuction is particularly beneficial for patients who had grommets or mastoid surgery, as these surgeries are a contraindication for ear irrigation.
Foreign Body Removal
Foreign Body Removal
If you have a problem with your ear, you may want to try and resolve the problem yourself, which can often result in further problems. Through the years, we have removed a variety of foreign bodies from the ears, including cotton buds, hearing aid domes, sand, etc. Sometimes, it is not your fault at all, like our patient who came in with a little moth in his ear !
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Failed Ear Irrigation
Failed Ear Irrigation
Ear irrigation has been performed in GP surgeries for many years and it is now falling out of favour. However, it is still an efficient procedure provided it is performed by an experienced practitioner. Unfortunately it is not fully effective in a great number of patients and often it just completely fails.
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
• Can I see into my own ear/my child’s ear?
YES. The doctor can set the TV screen attached to the microscope so you are able to view your ear/your child’s ear. Our patients and parents in general find it very useful to see first hand exactly what the doctor is explaining.
• Can microsuction hurt me?
No, it usually does not hurt, but it is a little noisy and if the wax is very dry and hard, it may cause a little discomfort. If necessary the procedure can continue on a second session, after some wax softening treatment.
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
• I am due to fly after my microsuction session, will that affect me in any way?
No, it won't. We are cleaning the outer ear, so the middle ear (the space behind the drum) and the inner ear are not disturbed, these are areas usually related to problems with flying. You should be fine afterwards, able to go to work and drive as needed.
• I had ear infections for years, can I be cured with microsuction?
Microsuction is part of your treatment, usually the first step to your recovery. If you had problems with your outer ear, over a long period of time, you may also need some medications on prescription, as well as regular microsuction sessions.
Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
• I heard some people get very dizzy.
Some clients have a little dizziness during or after the procedure. This is more frequent in clients who have had ear surgery like mastoidectomies. It is usually short lived and passess quickly.
• My hearing aid whistles a lot.
You may have an ear canal full of wax, this creates interference or "whistling", we call this "feed back". See your GP/Nurse or book an appointment for ear wax microsuction on 01883 212800. Another reason could be a poorly fitted hearing aid, you may need your mould modified or your hearing aid may need fine tuning.
You may have a problem if...
You may have a problem if...
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The Ear Anatomy
The Ear Anatomy
The adult human ear canal extends from the pinna to the eardrum and is about 35 mm in length and 5 to 10 mm in diameter. Sound is collected by the pinna (the visible part of the ear) and directed through the outer ear canal.
The middle ear is the portion of the ear between the eardrum, and the cochlea or inner ear. The sound makes the eardrum vibrate, which in turn causes a series of three tiny bones (the hammer, the anvil, and the stirrup) in the middle ear to vibrate. The vibration is transferred to the snail-shaped cochlea in the inner ear; the cochlea is lined with sensitive hairs which trigger the generation of nerve signals that are sent to the brain.
The Eustachian Tube connects the middle ear space to the back of the nose and throat. The Eustachian Tube opens when you chew, yawn or swallow, equalising pressure in the middle ear, this is normal. Dysfunction of the Eustachian Tube can lead to discomfort when flying. Normal middle ear function relies on normal Eustachian tube function. The Eustachian Tube remains closed; opening when we chew, yawn or swallow. This keeps the air pressure equal on both sides of the eardrum.
What is Ear Wax?
What is Ear Wax?
Wax is a natural accumulation of skin debris and the oil produced by the ceruminous glands in the external ear canal. Ear wax is helpful in normal amounts and serves to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent. It usually does not need to be removed, unless it is blocking the ear canals or producing hearing or earache symptoms. Wax impaction is one of the commonest ear conditions in the community. It may present with difficulty in hearing (blocked ear) or sometimes with pain or earache symptoms. A build-up of wax is more likely to occur in people who insert implements into the ear (cotton buds, ear plugs, headphones), have narrow ear canals, children, hearing aid users, older adults and patients with learning difficulties. Ear wax removal is paramount to obtain good hearing levels, particularly, but not exclusively, in the older population. The rate of production of ear wax and debris may be occupational or related to genetic factors as well as associated medical conditions (eczema, psoriasis), so the frequency of attendance for microsuction is entirely individual (usually between 3 and 12 months).
Types of Hearing Loss
Types of Hearing Loss
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Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive Hearing Loss
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Caused by disorders of the outer and/or middle ear. Sound simply isn’t conducted properly from the outer ear or middle ear to the inner ear. This may be due to physical obstructions e.g. wax build-up or abnormalities e.g. perforated eardrum or damaged and/or defective ossicles that reduce the normal entry of sound waves through the auditory system to the nerves in the inner ear. Some conductive hearing losses can be temporary and can possibly be rectified by medical intervention.
Causes: Wax impaction, fluid in the middle ear, middle ear infections, Otosclerosis, damage to the middle ear bones, perforated eardrum, head injuries or ear trauma.
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As the description suggests this combines two areas. Sensory hearing loss i.e. the fault lies within the inner ear and neural hearing loss which is related to failings with the auditory neural pathway. The inner ear is unable to properly transmit sound to the brain. The hair cells inside the inner ear (especially those for high frequency hearing) have withered due to age, noise, disease or medications and no longer pick up the nerve impulses properly.This kind of loss is permanent, since hair cells do not re-grow and normally affects both ears. Sensorineural hearing losses affect our sensitivity to sounds as well as our ability to discriminate between sounds.
Causes: age related hearing loss (presbyacusis), damage to the inner ear due to loud noise exposure, certain medications, some viral infections, Meniere's Disease, certain chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment for cancer, acoustic neuroma (benign growth in the nerve we use for hearing), cholesteatoma.
We also have Mixed Hearing Loss which is a combination of the above.
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Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Hearing Loss