earwax Removal
£60 per visit
We also offer a Clear Ear Care Plan: 4 visits a year for only £15 per month
about earwax
removal
Earwax build-up can cause discomfort, hearing issues, and other symptoms. Removal methods include:
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Microsuction (our primary method)
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Water irrigation
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Manual Removal
Each method carries its own risks and benefits. At North Norfolk Ear & Skin Care (NNESC), we use a person-centred approach to select the safest and most appropriate technique for you.
We use a portable suction unit (commonly used in audiology for this purpose) to gently remove wax. The wax is either removed in lumps, or sucked down the tube into a collection canister.
Unlike many other ear practitioners, at NNESC we use an endoscope to perform our treatments. This gives us a far superior view of your ear canal, and allows us to treat cases that other practitioners are unable or unwilling to treat.
We can also use the endoscope to safely remove foreign bodies from the ear where appropriate
Risks & side effects
Common:
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Blowing or cold sensation
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Mild discomfort
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Itching, Stinging
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Temporary dizziness
Rare:
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Pain, bleeding, bruising if the probe catches the canal or eardrum.
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Temporary tinnitus
Post-treatment complications:
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Itching, aching,
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Temporary Tinnitus
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Ear infection
Hidden Ear problems:
Wax can sometimes conceal other issues. If we identify a concern:
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We will stop treatment and discuss it with you
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Signpost you to your GP or another service if needed
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Provide a referral letter sent to your provided email address with images
what happens at my appointment?
If you are a new client that I haven't met before, we will start with a chat to allow me to understand your history and any current issues. This will help me understand if there are any methods I should not use to treat you - for example, water irrigation should not be used if you have a perforation of your ear drum.
After this, I check your ears for wax build up or any other issues - sometimes it isn't wax causing the problems.
If it is a wax build up causing the problem(s) and I am confident that this can be removed at the appointment, I will explain the method(s) I intend to use, ensure you fully understand and feel comfortable and ask you to sign a consent form.
Then we are on to treatment. I will explain and check in with you throughout the procedure to make sure you are comfortable. Once I finish, I will check your eardrum and ear canal, and show you images and explain what I'm showing you.
Some easy to follow aftercare advice and you are done!
FAQ's
Does it hurt?
Earwax Removal shouldn't hurt. Sometimes old skin is removed with the wax, and you may feel this pull away similar to if you pull peeling skin from anywhere else on your body. Prepping with an ear treatment such as Olive Oil before your appointment can help to reduce any discomfort.
Should I use oil before my appointment?
I strongly recommend that you do, but I understand that it can be messy and inconvenient, particularly for hearing aid wearers. I suggest using a spray instead of drops, which can be much easier to get into the ear, and applying at night before bed, so it doesn't impact your day. Good treatment for 2-3 nights before your appointment is better than no treatment!
I used olive oil but now my ears feel even more blocked
This is a good sign! Wax absorbs the oil, which not only softens it, but also causes it to expand, which can make the blocked ear feel worse. Its a good sign that your problems are caused by a wax build-up because we can treat that and help you feel better.
Why do I have to pay for earwax removal? My surgery used to do it for free!
I completely understand this question! Its really frustrating as both a patient and a healthcare professional to see essential services being reduced in our GP surgeries. Firstly - resources are finite, and the NHS has to focus on areas where the work cannot be done privately outside of the NHS. Secondly, earwax removal has always been a grey area for the GP surgeries, because of the time required, skill and training needed, and insurance and indemnity costs.
Earwax Removal is classed as an invasive treatment, and is much more highly skilled than it may appear to be. I set up my private practice for this reason, to ensure that if people had to pay for this treatment, they were being treated by a professional with training and experience.
How often should it be done?
This depends entirely on YOU. Everyone I see is different, some people have dry wax, some wet. Some people produce lots of wax, and others don't. Certain people are more susceptible to wax build up, such as those who use hearing aids, or have narrow ear canals, or those with skin conditions such as eczema or seborrhoeic dermatitis.
Do you see children?
Yes, I do - with some caveats. Firstly, if they are not comfortable, distressed, or I don't feel they are able to sit still long enough to treat safely, then I will not treat them, and instead, recommend you seek GP advice and referral to paediatric ENT. If the blockage is deep or dry, then I will ask you for at least 7 days of oil to be applied before I attempt treatment. If soft wax is removed and further dry wax remains, I will ask you to repeat this process and come back for further treatment. This is for their safety. It is not a way to make me more money, children's anatomy is still developing, and their hearing is precious. I am happy to treat them, but only in a way that is safe and reduces risk of any complications.