Course in Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction)

Entrants to the Course in Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction) must provide evidence of a relevant professional role. Relevant roles would include: 

• Registered Nurses 
• Enrolled Nurses 
• Audiologists
• Audiometrists
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Workers 
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioners 
• General Practitioners 
• Others on application e.g. Qualified Pharmacists and Paramedics. 

We expect participants to have a foundational level of knowledge in clinical subject areas before commencing this course, referred to as "assumed knowledge." To enrol, you must hold a relevant clinical qualification as determined by our criteria. This course builds on your existing understanding of anatomy, physiology, clinical procedures, and health law. Assumed knowledge means the course content will be delivered with the expectation that students already possess this baseline expertise.

Others on application – Pharmacists who wish to advise customers seeking advice on ear wax management, medical, audiology, nursing, AHP students’ who are more than halfway through their health professional course may apply for consideration. Not open to administration staff or assistants working in clinical environments.

The face-to-face workshop involves anatomy and physiology refresher, principles of microsuction and practical activities including condition recognition, ear health assessment, otoscopy and depth perception, curettage and microsuction techniques for wax removal.

Students work with peers in the classroom to conduct simulated examination as part of the practical skills activities.

Practice and assessments are performed on a mannequin, and the workshop focuses on wax removal using microsuction including the legal and consent issues involving ear microsuction

On successful completion of the course, students should have the skills and knowledge to:

• Establishing the need for microsuction and assessing the client’s physical and pathophysiological auditory status.
• Applying the fit and use of a binocular head-worn microscope. Examine and select the tools required to perform ear wax removal.
• Classify and prepare equipment for microsuction. 
• Perform ear wax removal and/or ear canal microsuctioning procedures if deemed appropriate and safe.
• Provide post-procedure care.

• Full day face-to-face workshop
• Oral questioning on essential knowledge and skills
• Demonstration of skills in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions

The face-to-face workshop involves lecture and practical workshop activities involving condition recognition, ear health assessment, monocular otoscopy, digital video otoscopy, and microsuction technique for wax removal. 

Students work with peers in the classroom to conduct simulated examinations as part of the practical skills activities. 

The workshop focuses on wax removal using microsuction including the legal and consent issues involving microsuction.

To achieve competency students must demonstrate successful completion of:

• Oral questioning on essential knowledge and skills
• Demonstration of skills in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions

The expected duration for completion is 12 months. Students are encouraged to complete their assessments within twelve weeks of completion of the face-to-face classroom delivery, however they have up to twelve months to submit the online assessments. The duration time is calculated from when a student attends their face-to-face classroom delivery. Within the accessIQ platform, students will be provided an initial six months to complete and submit all required self-directed and online assessment activities.

Friendly email reminders will be sent to students to ensure an assessment is completed on time. At the completion of the 6-month period, students can request up to a maximum of two extensions, each extension being for a period of 90 days. 

If the entire 12-month period expires and a final assessment has not been submitted, The Benchmarque Group reserves the right to deem the assessment Not Competent and remove the student from the course

Microsuction is a strategic treatment option for ear health, whether it is a foreign body or wax removal that is required. This course requires a strong understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the ear. Build the knowledge of when to use microsuction, as a technique, with practice and assessments using mannequins to enhance capability, and strengthen patient care.

The expected duration for completion is 12 months. Students are encouraged to complete their assessments within twelve weeks of completion of the face-to-face classroom delivery, however they have up to twelve months to submit the online assessments. The duration time is calculated from when a student attends their face-to-face classroom delivery. Within the accessIQ platform, students will be provided an initial six months to complete and submit all required self-directed and online assessment activities.

Friendly email reminders will be sent to students to ensure an assessment is completed on time. At the completion of the 6-month period, students can request up to a maximum of two extensions, each extension being for a period of 90 days.

If the entire 12-month period expires and a final assessment has not been submitted, The Benchmarque Group reserves the right to deem the assessment Not Competent and remove the student from the course.

Students enrolled in Benchmarque Group courses should adhere to the following principles:

• Display a commitment to learning and to achieving success
• Be responsible and accountable for their own learning, behaviour and decisions
• Actively participate in all workshop activities and learning experiences
• Attend all scheduled sessions and be punctual at all times
• Complete all online assessments and workplace practice activities
• Work in harmony and respect the rights and opinions of staff and other students
• Treat others as they themselves would like to be treated
• Use acceptable language at all times

No, but we strongly recommend completing the Hearing and Ear Health Foundations for Healthcare Professionals prior to attending. It is a great way to learn or refresh your memory on the fundamentals of ear health, particularly a detailed knowledge of anatomy and physiology, in preparation for this program. Access to this online program is offered as a bundled packed for this course.

This program is designed for individuals for whom ear wax removal is part of their scope of practice and you are required to learn this skill for your current job role. Please see entry requirements for the list of relevant roles. We would strongly recommend completing the Hearing and Ear Health Foundations for Healthcare Professionals prior to attending. It is a great way to learn or revise the fundamentals of ear health in order to better prepare you for this program.

If you have Astigmatism in your eyes, participation in this course and performing microsuction may not be suitable for you. The course utilises Converged Binocular Optics, an essential tool for depth perception. Astigmatism (in one eye) spoils your eye's natural binocular vision.

No, you are not required to complete both programs, just the program that best addresses your workplace needs. Ear Wax Removal (Irrigation) and Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction) programs involve separate units of competency supporting different practices for ear wax removal.

The GP stream is available only to GP's or Audiologists. This is due to the condensed nature of the course with the reduced theory and greater focus on the practical application of microsuction.