_edited.png)
FAQs
ear wax removal
Microsuction vs. water irrigation
We favour microsuction (dry vacuum method) which is undertaken while viewing the ear through an operating microscope. Water irrigation is a blind approach (you do not know what is behind the ear wax) which relies on flushing the ear out with water. Both approaches are currently NICE recommended.
Does microsuction ear wax removal hurt?
Generally speaking no, it should not cause pain given the right circumstances e.g. wax is soft and ready to come out. The suction probe should only come into contact with the ear wax and not any other ear structures. Of course, as a physical procedure, there is an associated sensation which patients tend to tolerate very well. Any invasive procedure always carries risks - best practice, experience and using the right equipment will help to minimise such risks.
Should I use drops to soften my ear wax before my appointment at Ear Care Specialists?
In most case, pre-softening with oil drops is not required. We can assess and advise after viewing your ear. We will sometimes apply some oil drops to your ear during the ear wax removal appointment. We do NOT recommend the use of Otex drops at any time, or the prolonged (> 5 days) use of oil drops. This can turn the wax "sludgy" and make removal very difficult.
Sticky tricky ear wax
Infrequently, the consistency of ear wax can be very sticky, almost like caramel! This can be a natural occurrence or created through the extended use of Otex drops. In this instance it is very difficult to remove all of the wax from the ear, especially if it is coating the ear drum itself. It is important to keep this scenario in mind when attending your appointment; sometimes it just simply isn't possible to remove all ear wax debris despite expectations.
In such circumstances, patients may choose to wait it out (lateral outward skin growth of the ear canal will help to naturally evacuate wax over time) or use further ear wax softening agents such as sodium bicarb spray to dissolve the sticky residuals. This can be a painstaking process rather than a silver bullet solution. ​Others may seek out an alternative wax removal method: washing the ear out via water irrigation. We do not offer water irrigation at Ear Care Specialists.
What if I do not have any ear wax blocking my ear?
Sometimes, your ears may be clear of wax despite feeling blocked. In this instance, we can perform further testing such as tympanometry (to check middle ear health) and a hearing test (to check overall hearing function, including the inner ear and hearing nerve). This scenario highlights the importance of seeing an audiologist rather than a non-specialised health practitioner for ear wax removal. We can investigate further.
Can I bring my child to Ear Care Specialists for ear wax removal?
Yes, Jeff is a registered audiologist as well as a hearing aid dispenser. He is very experienced in performing ear wax removal on children. This procedure can be undertaken safely, as long as the child remains calm and still. We see school-age children from 5 and above. The use of oil drops for a few days before the appointment can be beneficial for wax removal in kids. Jeff will do his best to put your child at ease before the wax removal procedure. If your child is uncomfortable or unpredictable in their head movements, we will not proceed. Safe clinical practice is always a priority.
FAQs​
hearing test
What is the difference between a hearing screen and a diagnostic hearing test?
A hearing screen involves testing your ability to detect a small number of tonal sounds using standard air conduction headphones. It will provide a basic snap shot of hearing levels but does not give any specific detail regarding hearing loss type (or sometimes even severity in the case of cross-hearing). A diagnostic hearing test (referred to as pure tone audiometry) measures your hearing thresholds across wide range of hearing frequencies (Hz). Two sound pathways are tested: air conduction and bone conduction. This allows us to work out deafness type. To prevent cross-hearing, masking is also applied. This enables us to get ear specific threshold information by applying a rushing noise (masking) to the non-test ear. A diagnostic hearing test is needed to diagnose hearing loss and prescribe hearing aids. Here at Ear Care Specialists in Sherwood, we offer both hearing screening (for triage purposes) and full diagnostic hearing tests.
What is the most common type of hearing loss in adults and children?
"Presbyacusis" or age-related high frequency (inner ear) hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss amongst older adults. Noise-induced (inner ear) hearing loss which typically impacts 3-6kHz range is common cause of auditory damage among younger adults.
Young children can sometimes be prone to middle ear infections and fluid build up. This is known as otitis media with effusion or glue ear. It can cause muffled hearing in the form of a mild to moderate conductive hearing loss.
Hearing tests in children
Hearing is tested within the first few days of life. New borns have otoacoustic emission tests to check their hearing status. Sometimes, hearing will need to be tested by measuring brain signals in response to sounds via electrodes placed on the scalp (auditory brainstem responses) . Toddlers often perform hearing games whilst being carefully observed for signs of a hearing response. Young children from the age of around 4-5 will have their hearing tested using the more conventional methods with headphones. They might be asked to perform a fun task in response to a sound.
​
Specialist paediatric hearing assessment is available in Nottingham via the NHS. The children's hearing assessment centre at Ropewalk house now accept referrals from parents and is the best place to get your child's hearing assessed.
FAQs
custom ear plugs
How do custom filtered ear plugs differ from universal off-the-shelf ear plugs?
As the name suggests, custom fit ear plugs are made to measure. We take impressions of your ears to ensure an acoustically snug fit. This ensures that all sound passes through the filter, delivering you with the right level of listener comfort / attenuation - depending on your intended usage. Non-custom ear plugs, including loops, don't always fit correctly in the ear. This will vary depending on ear shape / size. In this instance, the plugs are acoustically "leaky", meaning whilst they might boast a 17dB attenuation filter, they may not actually be providing it.
​
Custom fit ear plugs are also comfortable and secure in situ.
I've found a company online who are cheaper, should I go with them?
Prices for online custom ear plugs are often lower because they rely on YOU providing them with your ear impressions. Meaning you are tasked with finding a reputable, insured, experienced clinician to take your ear impressions. If you have ear wax in your ear(s), this will need to be removed before impressions can be taken safely and accurately.
Here at Ear Care Specialists, we do all of this as part of the appointment. We charge an additional £50 for ear wax removal should this be necessary for impression taking. We don't take ear impressions on behalf of other online companies.
Custom swim moulds for children
We do not offer this service for children. We recommend going to the NHS children's hearing assessment centre at Ropewalk House for custom swim plugs.
Musician's Hearing Health Scheme
Noise induced hearing loss and tinnitus are common amongst those working in the music industry. If you are a professional musician or sound engineer you can get custom made ACS filtered ear plugs and an audiological hearing assessment for a one off fee of £50 through the musicians hearing services scheme.
​
Ear Care Specialists in Nottingham are proud to be part of the musician's hearing health scheme. So if you are local to Nottingham and have been approved through the scheme you can come to us for your assessment and ear impressions. Check out this link for more details, how to apply and eligibility T&Cs
FAQs
our clinic
Why should I choose to come to Ear Care Specialists for my hearing aids over a big high street chain?
When it comes to choosing a hearing care provider, the large high street audiology chains and hearing aid dispensers (you know the ones I am talking about!) often feel like a safe bet, with their familiar street side presence and huge-spend marketing campaigns, they are quickly etched into our long term memory banks. But it is worth noting a few things, not least the fact that they are in reality very much target ££ driven and highly commercialised machines. So much so, that part of staff training is devoted to sales techniques, and staff members are monitored on hearing aid sales performance and rewarded with bonuses should they meet their sales targets. Such hearing aid dispenser roles tend to have a high turnover and are usually occupied by newly qualified graduates with little experience. It's no wonder Which magazine consistently rates independent providers as the best option for hearing healthcare.
​
What do YOU value as a patient?
At Ear Care Specialists, our patients are never just numbers or sales transactions. Jeff bring's over 15 years of clinical and academic expertise, access to the latest in hearing aid technology, and a deep commitment to patient-centred care. Our approach is rooted in compassion, consistency, and clinical excellence - ensuring every individual receives the highest standard of support. As the clinic owner, our "brand" is built on reputation. Jeff is 110% invested with no one to hide behind. Passion before profit, flexibility and innovation without the corporate red tape. If you value these things, you have come to the right place.​
Appointments
We work by appointment only and allocate a generous amount of time for each clinical activity that we offer. As well as giving you a more comfortable and satisfactory experience, it also gives us the flexibility to offer more. More tests, more support, more tailored advice and discussion. Jeff's pet hate when working for the NHS and Specsavers was the lack of allocated time for each patient. We don't want things to feel rushed.
I have a medical issue with my ears who should I see?
Medical ear conditions such as; discharging ears, ear pain, dizziness, diseases of the middle ear or inner ear should always be investigated by a medical physician. This may be your G.P in the first instance or an ENT surgeon.
​
Audiologists are not medical doctors. An audiologist in the UK is a AHCS registered healthcare professional who assesses, diagnoses, and treats hearing disorders. They will likely have a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology. Audiologists can prescribe and fit hearing aids, offer tinnitus management, ear wax removal and sometimes, vestibular rehabilitation. Some audiologists will do further training and work in a specific area of audiology such as paediatrics, cochlear implants, tinnitus or balance disorders. Audiologists will often work alongside ENT doctors. NHS audiology departments typically employ registered audiologists rather than hearing aid dispensers.
Hearing aid dispensers (HADs) are also registered healthcare professionals. Compared to audiologists, their clinical scope of practice is narrower and their initial training route is shorter. HADs can assess hearing and provide hearing aids to adults only, most likely within the independent sector. Audiologists wanting to dispense hearing aids independently, are required to register as a hearing aid dispenser with the HCPC.
_edited.png)
Ear Care Specialists
Expert independent audiology care with Dr. Jeff