Ear Wax Removal in London.

Microsuction is a safe and modern method that uses gentle suction to remove ear wax while the clinician watches through a microscope. It’s clean, quick, and doesn’t use water.

Yes. Unlike syringing (also known as irrigation), microsuction doesn’t involve flushing water into the ear. It’s generally more comfortable, causes less mess, and has a lower risk of infection or complications.

No — most patients find it completely painless. You may feel a slight tickling or suction sensation, but it’s over quickly and without discomfort.

The time allocated for the appointment is 30 minutes. Our aim is to complete the procedure fully and successfully in this time, which is the outcome in the vast majority of cases. If, however, the procedure cannot be completed in this time, due to very hard, impacted or stubborn wax, then a second appointment may be booked to complete the procedure. If a second, or follow up appointment is required, this will be charged at a reduced rate of £50.

It’s not always necessary, but softening the wax with olive oil drops for a few days before your appointment can make the process easier and faster.

Our £80 fee reflects the level of clinical care, specialist equipment, and expertise involved in your appointment. At Pindrop Hearing, ear wax removal is carried out by experienced hearing care professionals using medical-grade microsuction equipment in a calm clinical environment. Your appointment includes a full ear health assessment before treatment, personalised advice tailored to your hearing needs, and enough time to safely remove stubborn or impacted wax without rushing the procedure. While some clinics advertise lower prices, appointments can vary significantly in clinical experience, aftercare, appointment length, and the quality of equipment used. Our focus is on providing safe, thorough, and professional ear care with the highest standard of patient experience.

Same-day ear wax removal appointments are available at our London clinics where appointment slots remain open. You can book microsuction ear wax removal at Harley Street, Winchmore Hill or Chelsea, or call us to find the earliest available appointment.

As the ears are self cleaning, we recommend that you should never use cotton buds or insert anything in your ears as this is likely to cause further problems.

If you’re creating excessive amounts of ear wax and have a build up, this is when ear wax removal is required.

Ear Irrigation

Occasionally, if the ear wax is soft or sticky, or is on the actual ear drum, it may be more effective and comfortable to use ear irrigation. This is where a stream of water under a calibrated, measured and gentle pressure is introduced into your ear by the Audiologist to gently wash out any soft wax.

Manual earwax removal

Occasionally, the Audiologist will need to use sterile instruments to physically hook onto, loosen or break up the wax. This is particularly common if the wax is very hard or impacted, in which case manual removal with a tool such as a jobson horn probe or cawthorne hook can be used to pull out the plug of ear wax in one whole piece. The Audiologist will be looking through the microscope the whole time so he/she can see exactly what they are doing to remove the wax safely, effectively and painlessly.

Microsuction

Microsuction is our preferred procedure for ear wax removal that uses gentle suction to remove excessive or troublesome ear wax. Using a microscope, our trained Audiologists are able to look directly into the ear canal and use a sterile suction device to gently remove the wax.

Yes, but we recommend contacting us first to confirm suitability. Our clinicians are experienced and trained to treat both adults and children. The minimum age is 5 years old.

Yes — microsuction is generally considered one of the safest ear wax removal methods for patients with a perforated eardrum or a history of ear surgery because it does not involve introducing water into the ear canal. At Pindrop Hearing, your ears are carefully assessed before treatment to ensure the safest approach is used for your individual circumstances.

In most cases, yes. Microsuction is widely used for patients with tinnitus and is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified clinician. Some people notice temporary changes in tinnitus perception immediately after treatment due to the ear canal suddenly being clear again, but this usually settles quickly. Your clinician can discuss any concerns before treatment begins.

There is no set rule for ear cleaning because everyone produces ear wax differently. Some people may only need ear wax removal every few years, while hearing aid users or people who naturally produce more wax may benefit from treatment every 6–12 months. Your clinician can advise you based on your ear health and wax build-up.

Recurring ear wax build-up is common, particularly in people who wear hearing aids, use earphones regularly, or naturally produce excess wax. If your symptoms return quickly after treatment, we can help you create a longer-term ear care plan and advise on safe ways to manage wax build-up between appointments.

Yes — many patients notice that sounds seem sharper or louder immediately after ear wax removal because their hearing is no longer blocked. This adjustment is completely normal and usually settles within a short time as your ears adapt again to clearer hearing.

Many GP surgeries across the UK have reduced or stopped routine ear wax removal services due to NHS resource pressures and changing commissioning guidelines. As a result, many patients now choose private ear wax removal clinics like Pindrop Hearing for faster access to professional treatment without long waiting times.

Some private health insurance providers may contribute towards ear wax removal or related audiology services depending on your policy. We recommend checking directly with your insurer before your appointment. If needed, we can provide invoices or supporting documentation for your claim.