- advise what tests or procedures may be needed
- book an appointment at a convenient time and place
- give you an estimate of costs and help with medical insurance forms

This is an examination and treatment of the ear using a high powered binocular operating microscope. We use very fine delicate instruments, including a miniature vacuum cleaner. This Hoovering of the ear is usually done as an out-patient procedure. Sometimes, and especially in younger children, it is done as a day case surgery under general anaesthetic. Microsuction of the ear may be performed for a variety of reasons:

- to diagnose the condition of the ear accurately using
- to remove material blocking the ear canal such as wax
- to apply medication to the ear

You may be asked to use ear drops or olive oil spray beforehand, sometimes for a few weeks. This will make the treatment easier for you.

- You do need to lie very still.
- Despite all our efforts to be as gentle as possible, it will be noisy, and may, rarely, be painful.
- It may cause some short lived vertigo (dizziness), lasting no more than a minute or so.
- Don't get up until told to do so.
- You should be able to drive afterwards but may need to wait until any dizziness has settled.

- to diagnose conditions of the nose, sinuses and
- to carry out minor treatments 

- remember your nose is 4 to 5 inches long from front to back
- the nose is normally sprayed with a local anaesthetic spray immediately beforehand
- the local anaesthetic tastes bitter and you may imagine your throat is swelling up. Don't panic, that is just
   the local anaesthetic working
- the instrument is passed gently through your nose, lie still and breathe through the mouth
- don't get up until told to do so
- you should not eat or drink till the local anaesthetic has worn off - about 30-40 minutes

- to diagnose conditions of the nose, nasopharynx, larynx and hypopharynx
- as it allows a close up view of inaccesible areas of the nose and throat
- to view the vocal cords in motion

- you will receive a local anaesthetic spray to minimise any tendency to gag
- the local anaesthetic tastes bitter and you may imagine your throat is swelling up. Don't panic, that is just
   the - local anaesthetic working
- the instrument is passed gently through your nose & into your throat
- you should sit still and breathe through the mouth.
- you may be asked to sing a high pitched note, maybe to cough, and to puff out your cheeks - don't worry, -     youwill be told exactly what to do during the procedure
-don't get up until told to do so
-you should not eat or drink till the local anaesthetic has worn off - about 30-40 minutes.