Does earwax removal by suction result in temporary threshold shift?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does cerumen removal by micro-suction cause a measurable temporary threshold shift?
IRAS ID
221006
Contact name
George Roberts
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
This project aims to measure hearing threshold changes following an earwax removal procedure known as micro-suction. Micro-suction is a commonly used method of earwax removal which creates a high level of sound in the patient’s ear canal due to the force of suction. It is hypothesised that the intensity of the sound generated within the ear canal may be loud enough to temporarily reduce hearing levels; known as a temporary threshold shift. A temporary threshold shift commonly resolves within 24 hours, but can take up to 72 hours in high levels of noise exposure. For patients receiving a hearing test immediately following wax removal, there is a chance a temporary change in hearing will be recorded as their true hearing threshold. This could result in inappropriate medical referrals and potentially the over-prescribing of hearing aid amplification.
This study will recruit participants who have been scheduled an appointment for wax removal by micro-suction at Withington Community Hospital in Manchester. The wax removal procedure will be performed by an Aural Health Nurse. Immediately following the wax removal, the participant will complete a hearing and middle-ear function test on either the one or two ears which have received treatment. Five to nine days later the hearing test will be repeated allowing a comparison to be made and any discrepancies in hearing levels identified. Five to nine days has been chosen as the time interval as it will allow any changes in hearing to resolve. If a participant is unable to return within five to nine days, the soonest appointment after this time will be made.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0515
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion