The Microsuction Experience: An Ear View Review
This entry to the blog is written by a new client, Emma. She was a very nervous client and had been experiencing tinnitus, blocked ears, pain when flying and slight hearing loss in her ears.
Read on below for her experience with Ear View’s Jason at our Ipswich clinic day…
My Ear Issues
I’ve always been nervous about anything related to cleaning my ears.
It all stems from a story my nan told me when I was younger about how my great-grandfather died – from a build up of olive oil on the brain. He used to soak his cotton buds in olive oil and then use them to clean his ears, he did this so regularly that the olive oil built up on his brain and lead to his passing. As such, I’ve never cleaned my ears, no drops, no cotton buds, no ear candles, nothing.
For this reason, I’ve always had a blocked feeling in my ears. I’ve known for a long time that my ears desperately needed cleaning but was unwilling to take the plunge and contact a professional.
But then, I started experiencing unilateral tinnitus (a high-pitched ringing in one of my ears), the sound was unbearable. My first step was contacting my GP who referred me for an MRI, worrying that the tinnitus may have a more sinister cause than simply a build-up of wax or sound related hearing damage. Luckily, the MRI was clear.
So, what was causing my tinnitus? And was there anyway of alleviating it? This led to me to contacting Jason at Ear View to see if Micro-suction could alleviate any of my ear-related problems.
I was incredibly nervous, the horror story my nan had told me playing in my mind as I arrived at the clinic.
Arriving at the clinic
Jason warmly welcomed me into the clinic. I explained how nervous I was and the reason why.
I’d spent so long wondering if what my nan had told me was even possible, but he explained that when somebody has a perforated eardrum and excessively uses olive oil, and improper ways to clean their ears, this is in fact possible (although incredibly rare).
Once my mind had been put at ease, he began asking me questions about my ears and my current ear health. I explained that I had slight hearing loss, problems with a high-pitched ringing in my right ear, a feeling of blockage and experienced significant pain when flying due to pressure in my ear.
Ear Examination and Ear Health
The next step after outlining my ear-related issues was for Jason to have a look. He used a small camera to look inside my ears and showed me what he was seeing on a screen in front of me.
The Microsuction Process
Once Jason had determined that I had a blockage and I was a fit candidate for Micro-suction he thoroughly explained the process to me. He was going to use a small suction device to remove the blockage of earwax and any excess ear wax that remained.
He explained that Micro-suction does not use any water or liquids, it is a very safe and routine procedure for cleaning ears.
He asked me to lay down on the medical table and showed me the equipment he would be using. He carefully placed the device in my ear and started to remove the blockage.
During the suctioning I did not feel any discomfort or pain, the device itself was quite loud at points but not intolerable. After about a minute of suctioning, I felt the blockage come out. It was instant relief.
He showed me the mass of earwax he had removed, and I couldn’t believe I had been harbouring that much earwax in my ear for so long. The feeling of fullness in my ear had completely disappeared. My hearing had become so much clearer, I felt as though I was shouting when talking to him.
Jason then started on the other ear, knowing what to expect I relaxed into it. Again, I felt no discomfort or pain and instant relief once the ear wax had been removed.
This time, Jason informed me I had a large amount of dead skin in my right ear. He gently removed the dead skin using forceps. I was expecting pain, but it did not hurt when he removed it, it was just a very odd feeling.
Post Microsuction
After the procedure was finished, Jason took me back to the screen where we had first looked at my ears. He put the small camera back into my ears and showed me that we could now see my ear drum in both ears and assured me both eardrums were looking healthy.
He showed me that I had some slight staining in my ears from where the mass of earwax had been sitting for so long but assured me this was not a problem.
The difference was amazing, my ears looked completely different from when I walked into the room.
He gave me some after care advice, he advised not to get my ears wet or put anything in them for a day or so, as they had been blocked for a long time I could run the risk of an ear infection.
After thanking Jason profusely, he bid me a warm farewell, and I can safely say he now has a customer for life.
A Week After Microsuction
It’s been a week since my visit with Jason. My hearing has improved significantly. I used to struggle to decipher conversations in loud environments, or repeatedly say ‘what’ to friends and colleagues as I struggled to hear them the first time. But now, my hearing is much, much, better.
Immediately after my appointment, my tinnitus was a little worse than it had been, although I was told the noise from the machine can initially worsen symptoms. However, a week later, although still there, it is not as noticeable and seems a lot quieter than it has been.
I’m yet to fly, but I look forward to seeing the improvement that will no doubt come from the removal of the blockage.
I would whole-heartedly recommend micro-suction to anyone and everyone (and have been to anyone that will listen). It has greatly improved my hearing, I feel a lot less congested, and my tinnitus has somewhat subsided.
For anybody nervous, or on the fence about Micro-suction, go for it, it is one of the best things you can do for your hearing and ears!
And Jason, I will be seeing you again if my problems return in the future.
