What Is Microsuction?
To undertake microsuction, the practitioner will use Loupes (magnification glasses with an inbuilt powerful headtorch). This enables careful and very detailed examination of the inner part of the ear canal. It is very important to examine the ear from the external ear up to and including the eardrum, sometimes there is a complete wax blockage and after treatment will the eardrum be visable.
Using a speculum, which is a funnel shaped object, the practitioner will be able to review the ear in more detail. Using a speculum protects the ear lining from any rubbing of suction equipment as well as wax during removal. A very fine tube connected to a suction machine is then carefully positioned to remove all obstructive content in ear the canal. This can take some time to fully clear the ear and on some occasions a return treatment might be required.
When the suction is operating it may feel cool and be a bit noisy, which is not unexpected given that the practitioner is working next to the ear drum. The procedure is carried out under direct vision, meaning that it can be very exact and very safe unlike some devices which can cause damage to the delicate tissues in the inner ear.
As one can see from the image, the external auditory canal can have wax along the upper and lower surfaces. When compacted with cotton buds the wax will press against the eardrum.
On the right is a before and after treatment image of an ear canal. You can see the difference!
