Ear wax removal
Ear Wax Removal
For issues with blocked ears and concerns about hearing, our team of ear care practitioners are available for same day ear wax removal appointments for a fee of £80 at our hearing clinics at 2 Harley Street, 7 Devonshire Street, Golders Green and Swiss Cottage.
Book an appointment at one of our ear care clinics for professional ear wax removal in London.
When do I Need Professional Ear Wax Removal?
Everyone has ear wax, so when does it get to the stage of requiring professional ear cleaning? There are many common signs of an ear wax build-up. These can include partial or complete hearing loss, earache, a ringing sound and sometimes even feeling dizzy and nauseous. There are various reasons that this build-up can be caused and most are out of your control; small or damaged ear canals, excessive hair, regular swimming and a build-up of dry skin are all common factors.
It can be tempting to take matters into your own hands and try using cotton buds or your fingers to budge the blockage but we strongly advise avoiding this. Pushing objects into your ear to try and clear them can cause further damage, ear wax extraction should always be carried out by a professional.
Effective Ear Cleaning Methodologies
Our team of ear care practitioners are fully qualified clinical audiologists who are able to offer a full range of techniques for ear wax removal.
Microsuction
Carried out with precision accuracy using high-spec examination microscopes. This gives your audiologist x20 magnification for unrivalled visibility and depth perception so they can work safely in the ear canal. The process allows your audiologist to see the inside of the ear and painless.
Irrigation
Also known as syringing, this form of professional ear cleaning uses a machine that sprays water into the ear to dislodge the build-up of ear wax. The irrigation solution is warmed to the body’s temperature.
Preparing for Ear Wax Removal in London
To achieve the best results apply softening drops or olive oil prior to your appointment. This makes it much easier to remove any hardened wax.
If you wear hearing aids, please bring these along to your appointment and we can check and clean them for you.
Please be aware that we are not able to issue prescriptions; if you suspect that you may have an infection, please seek the advice of your GP.
“Having had microsuction on numerous occasions from both private and NHS practitioners, some of which have included some fairly esteemed ENT consultant doctors – I can genuinely say that the care, attention and precision was without parallel. I will definitely be making a return visit to the clinic! Kind regards Arthur Woodward BA ACA”
Ear Wax Removal FAQ’s
You will see one of our fully trained, HCPC registered Audiologists that have been trained in both clinical ear care and microsuction.
The cost of a 30 minute wax removal appointment is £80, for any method of wax removal, whether it’s for two ears or one.
Your audiologist will investigate the initial reasons for your visit, whether that’s because you feel that your ears are blocked, or your hearing is down. This may involve further hearing tests to see if you require an onward medical referral.
We recommend using olive oil for 2 days prior to your appointment to soften the wax and make it easier to remove. It is only on the very odd occasion that patients will come back for a follow up appointment.
Microsuction is now the preferred method as it doesn’t involve putting liquid into your ear. A gentle suction device is used to remove earwax under a microscope. The procedure is quick, safe and painless.
Syringing is no longer performed as a method of wax removal as it is deemed unsafe. It has been replaced with ear irrigation, which uses a machine to gently pulse a low pressure water into your ear. The water is carefully directed towards the upper ear canal wall to gently flow out, bringing the wax with it.
Ear wax can cause whistling, ringing, or a range of different sounds to be perceived in the ears. This is known as tinnitus, and is caused because the blockage reduces the amount of sound reaching your ear drum. Normally if the wax is causing the tinnitus, it should disappear once it has been removed.
We recommend using olive oil drops or Earol 2 days before your appointment to soften the wax and make it easier to remove.
With any wax removal procedure, even when performed with the utmost care, there are small risks involved including: damage to or infection of the skin of the ear canal or eardrum. There is also a slight risk of tinnitus during or after the procedure. We will always assess the most appropriate form of wax removal for each patient.
We recommend not putting anything in your ears other than occasional olive oil drops to loosen the wax and aid self-cleaning. Ears naturally clean themselves.
Please call the practice on 0207 486 1053. We normally keep appointments free each day for wax removal emergencies.
Yes, however we would recommend that you see your GP first. There is the chance that if we remove the wax the ear may fill up with discharge again from the infection.
No the wax removal process shouldn’t be painful.
This very much depends on the individual. Some patients have it removed every couple of years, others can be every 12 months. There are people that we see once and then they don’t need to come back at all.
No, we are able to see you for one appointment to assess the condition of your ear and perform the most appropriate form of wax removal all in 30 minutes.
