All Medicare-eligible consultations are bulk billed for patients with a valid Medicare card. Some items, including privately purchased vaccines and consumables, attract a fee.
The difference between a five-minute success and a wasted trip is almost entirely preparation. Tap each one.
Four things worth doing first
Olive oil or a wax-softening preparation from the pharmacy, a few drops into the ear, two or three times a day for three to five days beforehand. Hard, dry wax frequently will not shift; softened wax usually comes away easily.
“I've been using softening drops for a few days.”Cotton buds push wax deeper and pack it against the eardrum, which is how an ear that was cleaning itself perfectly well becomes blocked. Nothing smaller than your elbow, as the saying goes.
“I have been using cotton buds, I should mention.”Grommets, a previous perforated eardrum, ear surgery, or a current infection all mean syringing may not be safe. Your GP will look first and use a different method if needed.
“I've had problems with this ear before.”Hearing loss in one ear that comes on suddenly is not something to assume is wax. If it came on quickly, say so clearly when you book — sudden one-sided hearing loss needs assessing urgently.
“The hearing in one ear dropped suddenly.”Open any of these for what it involves. Your ears are always examined before anything is done to them.
Wax removal
What happens Your GP looks in both ears first. If wax is genuinely the problem and the eardrum is intact, it is gently irrigated with warm water — not a forceful syringe — until the ear is clear.
Ears are self-cleaning and most people never need this. It becomes necessary when wax has hardened, been pushed in, or is blocking the canal enough to affect hearing.
If the wax has not been softened first, your GP may well stop and ask you to use drops for a few days and come back. That is not a wasted appointment — it is the difference between it working and not.
Muffled hearing
What happens Your GP works out whether it is wax, fluid behind the eardrum, an infection, or something in the hearing itself — because the treatment is entirely different for each.
Hearing that drops suddenly in one ear is urgent. Ring us the same day rather than assuming it is wax.
People often arrive certain it is wax and leave with a different answer. Fluid behind the eardrum after a cold, or age-related hearing loss, are both common.
Sudden hearing loss in one ear is a different matter altogether and needs assessing promptly rather than waiting to see whether it clears.
Ear pain
What happens Your GP examines the ear and works out whether it is an outer ear infection, a middle ear infection, or referred pain from somewhere else entirely — the jaw and the throat are common culprits.
Outer ear infections — swimmer's ear — are common around Port Stephens and are treated with drops rather than tablets.
Middle ear infections in children often settle without antibiotics, and your GP will explain when antibiotics genuinely help and when watchful waiting is the better course.
Not syringing
What happens Some ears should not be irrigated. Where that applies, your GP will explain why and arrange the right alternative rather than proceeding anyway.
A perforated eardrum, grommets, previous ear surgery, a current infection or a single hearing ear are all reasons not to syringe.
Microsuction — wax removed under direct vision with gentle suction — is the alternative, and your GP will refer you to a provider who offers it.
This is the single thing that determines whether the appointment works. It costs a few dollars and a few days. Tap a card.
Three to five days of preparation turns a difficult job into a simple one.
Most blocked ears are made worse by the attempts to fix them.
If you have ever had a perforated eardrum, grommets or ear surgery, do not use drops or attempt anything at home — ring us and describe it, and your GP will advise what is safe.
Straightforward, and a little odd-feeling rather than painful. Tap any card.
Three to five days before. Everything else on this list depends on this one.
Flip backSay it is for ear wax so the right time and equipment are set aside. Mention any history of ear surgery.
Flip backYour GP examines both ears with an otoscope. Sometimes the answer turns out not to be wax at all.
Flip backWarm water, gently directed along the ear canal. It feels strange and a little noisy, but it should not hurt.
Flip backDiscomfort means stop. Nobody is going to press on, and there is always another way of doing it.
Flip backYour GP looks again to confirm the canal is clear and the eardrum looks healthy underneath.
Flip backMost people notice the difference immediately. If hearing has not returned, that is important information rather than a failure.
Flip backThe ear may feel slightly tender or wet for a few hours. Keep it dry for a day, and do not go back to cotton buds.
Flip backTap whatever applies and print it. A couple of these change the urgency considerably.
Ear examinations and wax removal are ordinary general practice. Whoever can see you soonest is the right choice.
Our GPs hold general registration with AHPRA. Areas listed are special interests within general practice rather than recognised specialist registration. Where syringing is not safe, or where a hearing test or specialist opinion is needed, your GP will arrange microsuction, audiology or an ear, nose and throat referral.
Pick your situation and what you're coming in for. We'll show you what to expect before you book.
What are you coming in for?
Figures shown are what you pay at the clinic for the appointment itself. Medicines, devices, imaging and specialist fees are set elsewhere. Reception will always confirm the cost with you before anything goes ahead.
The appointment is, on weekdays, with a valid Medicare card, and the wax removal is done as part of it. Weekend arrangements differ, so please check with reception.
Yes, genuinely. Hard, dry wax frequently will not shift, and the appointment ends with being asked to come back. Three to five days of softening drops is the single thing that decides whether it works.
Olive oil drops or a wax-softening preparation from any pharmacy — your pharmacist will point you to them. Do not use them if you have a perforated eardrum, grommets or a history of ear surgery.
It should not. It feels strange, noisy and a bit cold or wet, but not painful. Say so if it is uncomfortable and your GP will stop — there is always another way.
They push wax deeper and pack it against the eardrum, which is the cause of most of the blockages we see. Ears clean themselves; the outer ear is the only part that needs anything.
More drops and a second appointment, or referral for microsuction, where the wax is removed under direct vision with gentle suction. Some ears simply need that instead.
No — irrigation is not safe in those circumstances. Your GP will look first and arrange microsuction instead.
It may not be. Sudden hearing loss in one ear can have causes that need urgent treatment, and the window for treating some of them is short. Ring us the same day rather than assuming.
Only when it is causing a problem. Ears do not need routine cleaning, and repeated syringing for no reason is not doing anyone any favours. Some people who produce a lot of wax need it periodically.
Sometimes, but children's ears are usually examined and managed differently. Ring and describe what is happening and reception will book the right appointment.
Three to five days of softening drops and the appointment usually takes minutes. Without them, it often has to be done twice.
Blocked ears are usually wax, and softening drops for a few days beforehand make removal quicker and more comfortable. Tell us about any past ear surgery or perforation first.
We are in Salamander Bay Shopping Centre with free parking, and patients come from across Port Stephens and the Tomaree Peninsula, including Nelson Bay, Corlette, Soldiers Point, Anna Bay, Lemon Tree Passage and Medowie.
Book online with HotDoc at any hour, or call (02) 4008 4400.
