Daniel Fechner has been working in audiology since starting an internship in Germany in 2001 and now he is bringing the knowledge he has gained both overseas and in Australia to his own business, the EAR STUDIO in Castle Hill.
His extensive work includes a fourmonth stint in Northern Peru where he worked on a social project for hearing impaired children.
Since 2015 he has been working in Australia.
“I am passionate about getting the client the best hearing outcome possible,” he said.
Starting his own business has enabled him to be more flexible in his treatment.
“I am adapting a German treatment process with hearing rehabilitation training,“ he said.
“We also offer wax removal so that patients with wax blockages don’t need to get it flushed out which is often uncomfortable and can sometimes even be damaging.”
EAR STUDIO uses micro-suction to remove ear wax (or cerumen) safely and comfortably.
The ear drum sits at the inner end of the ear canal. “Most importantly I (also) offer wax removal so that patients with wax blockage don’t need to get it flushed out which is not a comfortable or safe procedure.”
Ear Studio uses micro-suction to remove ear wax (or cerumen).
The ear drum sits at the inner end of the ear canal.
Protecting the ear drum and the structures behind it is very important as any damage can have dramatic consequences.
Two glands in the ear canal produce a gluey or sticky substance which traps foreign bodies such as dust, sand and even small insects so they cannot reach the ear drum.
Small hairs in the ear canal are supposed to transport the wax and all other “unwelcomed visitors” slowly towards the opening of the ear canal where they can be easily removed when having a shower or with a piece of tissue but sometimes the wax builds up.
For 5-10 per cent of the population, the normal wax transportation system does not work either because of very narrow or bendy canals or other physiological reasons.
In addition, there are those in which the use of hearing aids, ear-phones or earplugs prevents the normal function of the selfcleaning system.
The wax build-up can even block the ear canal completely. This can lead to significantly reduced issues with the localisation of sounds and can even pose a risk of infections in the ear canal.
Removing ear wax is therefore very important.
Daniel uses micro-suction equipment because he believes that flushing ear wax out of the canal by syringing is not only uncomfortable but brings with it a risk of perforation of the ear drum which can lead to significant and potentially permanent hearing loss.
He says other methods such as using oils and drops just soften the wax and can make a “big mess” along the way.
“The very best and most comfortable method of wax removal is getting it done by microsuction,” he says.
“A suction pump is connected to a hose with a small suction cannula at the end. With head-worn loupes the practitioner has an excellent view of the occluded ear canal.
“This way we see exactly what we are doing and can remove ear wax blockages generally pain free, without mess in a matter of a few minutes.”
