Audiology · London
Private earwax microsuction in London, the safe way to clear ears.
The safe, evidence-based way to clear earwax - no syringing, no drops needed, and a microscope-assisted technique that keeps ears comfortable.
Indicative pricing
What private earwax microsuction costs in London.
Indicative ranges across UK private providers.
In short
£75-£150, done in 15-30 minutes.
| Microsuction type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard microsuction (both ears) | £75–£150 | 15–30 min | Same visit |
| Microsuction (single ear) | £55–£120 | 15 min | Same visit |
| Home-visit microsuction | £180–£350 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Microsuction + hearing test | £180–£350 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Post-op ear-canal cleaning | £75–£150 | 15 min | Same visit |
| Emergency same-day microsuction | £150–£300 | Half-day | Same-day |
Prices vary by clinic, by whether one or both ears are treated, and by whether a hearing test or home visit is added.
The problem
Syringing is out. Microsuction is the standard.
Water-syringing works blind and is no longer recommended by NICE or ENT UK. Microsuction is dry, done under a microscope, and safe on ears syringing cannot touch - perforations, grommets, prior surgery.
-
GP told you they no longer syringe?
Most NHS practices have stopped. Microsuction is now the recommended alternative - and often quicker to book privately.
-
Had a perforation or grommets?
Syringing is unsafe. Microsuction is one of the only options, and is done every day on ears exactly like yours.
-
Just want your ears clear today?
Same-visit clearance, no drops needed, home within the hour - most people book, come in, and hear normally by lunchtime.
When it is the right step
When microsuction is the right answer.
Not every muffled ear is wax. These are the situations where microsuction - done under a microscope, by the right hands - is the right call.
-
Blocked hearing
A muffled, plugged sensation that comes on gradually - the classic sign of impacted wax.
-
Turning volume up on TV
Household audio creeping louder is often wax rather than hearing loss. Microsuction settles it in minutes.
-
Ear pain
Impacted wax pressing on the canal or drum can cause a dull ache - often relieved immediately after clearance.
-
Pre-hearing-aid fitting
Clean canals are essential for accurate impressions and effective hearing-aid fitting.
-
Prior ear surgery (cannot syringe)
If you have had a mastoidectomy, grommets or a perforation, microsuction is the only safe way to clear wax.
-
Vertigo with impacted wax
Wax touching the drum can cause dizziness. Careful microsuction, done well, resolves it.
-
Recurrent otitis externa
Clearing debris under a microscope is often the first step in managing chronic swimmer’s or eczematous ear.
-
Red flag: sudden hearing loss without wax cause - urgent ENT
Sudden unilateral hearing loss without visible wax is a same-week ENT referral, not a microsuction booking.
Microsuction types
Not every appointment is the same.
What each option on your quote is actually for.
-
Standard microsuction (both)
The routine service: microscope-assisted clearance of wax in both ears at a single visit.
-
Single ear
One-sided clearance for a single blocked ear - quicker and cheaper than treating both.
-
Home visit
A clinician brings portable microsuction to your home - useful for mobility issues or busy schedules.
-
+ Hearing test
Microsuction plus a full pure-tone audiogram in one appointment - sensible if hearing is a concern.
-
Post-op cleaning
Gentle canal cleaning after ear surgery - mastoid cavity toilet, grommet-safe suction.
-
Emergency same-day
Same-day slots for acute discomfort, sudden blockage, or urgent pre-flight clearance.
-
Paediatric microsuction (specialist)
For older children who can sit still - done by clinicians experienced with paediatric ears.
-
Microsuction + otoendoscopy
Video otoendoscopy adds a magnified view of the drum - useful for post-op or complex canals.
Safety and aftercare
Safer, and gentler, than most people expect.
Microsuction is safe and quick. The things worth knowing are when drops help, when to skip them, and when a symptom needs an ENT rather than an audiologist.
-
Olive oil - 5 to 7 days maximum
Do NOT use olive oil for more than 5-7 days if you have a perforation. In most microsuction cases, drops are not needed at all.
-
Syringing is now not recommended
NICE and ENT UK guidance supersedes syringing with microsuction - it is drier, safer, and works on ears syringing cannot touch.
-
Safe on grommets and perforations
Microsuction is dry and safe on grommets, mastoid cavities, and known perforations, in trained hands.
-
Brief loud sound is normal
A whooshing sound during suction is expected and short-lived. It settles the moment the suction stops.
-
Momentary dizziness is possible
The cool air moving in the canal can cause a brief spin. Sit for a moment afterwards and it passes.
-
Not for very inflamed ears
Acute otitis externa with a swollen, painful canal is deferred until the inflammation settles or is treated first.
-
Pregnancy safe
Microsuction is safe throughout pregnancy - no drugs, no radiation, no systemic effects.
-
Anticoagulation continues
You do not need to stop blood-thinners for microsuction. Continue as prescribed.
-
Always disclose ear surgery or perforation
Tell the clinician about any past ear surgery, grommets, or known perforation. It changes technique, not eligibility.
Reading your report
A microsuction note is short and clear. Here’s what it says.
Whether one ear or both, the note keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
Most notes end with ‘cleared, no follow-up needed’ - ask your clinician to explain the rest.
- 01 Header
Indication and prior ear history
Why microsuction was done, plus your history - previous surgery, perforation, hearing-aid use, olive-oil use.
- 02 Technique
Microscope or otoendoscope
Which technique guided the suction, which side was treated, and the size of suction tip used.
- 03 Findings
Canal condition, drum, wax cleared
What the canal and eardrum looked like, whether wax was fully cleared, and any incidental findings.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Cleared, needs onward ENT referral, or hearing test recommended. Any follow-up plan sits here.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Frequently asked
Common questions about earwax microsuction.
Quick answers on olive oil, pain, cost, and how long results last.
-
What is earwax microsuction?
Microsuction is a dry, microscope-assisted technique for removing earwax. A fine suction tube is used under direct vision - no water is flushed into the ear, no drops are usually needed. It is the safest current method and works on ears where syringing cannot be used.
-
How is microsuction different from syringing?
Syringing flushes water into the ear under pressure and works blind. Microsuction removes wax under direct vision with gentle suction - no water, no pressure on the drum, safe on grommets and perforations. Current NICE and ENT UK guidance recommends microsuction over syringing.
-
Does it hurt?
No. Most people describe a whooshing sound and a slightly odd sensation, but not pain. If a canal is very inflamed the clinician may pause and treat that first.
-
Do I need to use olive oil first?
Not usually. Most wax comes out with microsuction alone. If drops are needed, olive-oil for a few days softens the wax - but never more than 5-7 days if you have or might have a perforation.
-
Can I have microsuction with a perforated eardrum?
Yes - microsuction is one of the few safe options with a known perforation. Tell the clinician in advance so they can adjust technique and equipment.
-
Is microsuction safe in pregnancy?
Yes. There are no drugs involved and no systemic effects. It is safe throughout all three trimesters.
-
Can children have microsuction?
Older children who can sit still often tolerate it well. Very young children usually need specialist paediatric ENT input rather than a routine microsuction appointment.
-
How much does private microsuction cost in London?
A standard both-ear microsuction is typically £75-£150. Single ears run £55-£120, home visits £180-£350, and microsuction combined with a hearing test £180-£350.
-
How long does the result last?
It varies. Some people need microsuction once and never again; others produce wax quickly and benefit from an appointment every 6-12 months. Hearing-aid users tend to need it more often.
-
When should I see a GP urgently instead?
Sudden hearing loss on one side without visible wax, ear pain with fever, discharge with a bad smell, or dizziness with hearing change should be seen urgently - a same-week GP or ENT appointment, not a microsuction booking.
Related tests