Concierge ENT · London
Earwax removal, done properly — microsuction under vision.
A clinically reviewed patient guide to earwax removal — microsuction, irrigation, manual instrumentation and safe home care. Booked with an ENT-trained clinician, not a walk-in room.
Why patients choose us
- 01
An ENT-trained audiologist or nurse
Not a beauty room and not a trainee. Wax is removed by an audiologist, ENT nurse or GP with proper microsuction training.
- 02
NHS-approved microsuction pathway
Microsuction under direct binocular microscope vision — the technique NICE and ENT UK recommend as the safest first-line.
- 03
Safe with grommets and perforations
Microsuction is safe where irrigation is not — grommets, prior surgery, mastoid cavities and known perforations included.
Indicative pricing
What private earwax removal costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Most cases are one visit, both ears, home the same hour.
In short
Microsuction, both ears, in our network: £70–£95, in and out in under thirty minutes.
| Service | Indicative range | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsuction — both ears | £70–£95 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Microsuction — single ear | £50–£75 | 15–20 min | Same visit |
| Ear irrigation (Propulse) — both ears | £55–£85 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| Manual instrumentation only | £45–£70 | 10–15 min | Same visit |
| Post-clean pure-tone audiogram | £60–£120 | 20–30 min | Same visit |
| ENT consultation (if referred on) | £200–£350 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by clinician grade and by whether one or both ears are cleared. A post-clean audiogram is optional and priced separately.
The problem
The right technique for your ear — not a one-size clean.
The NHS has withdrawn routine wax removal from many practices, so the private route is now standard. What matters is that the technique matches your ear — grommets and perforations rule irrigation out.
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Blocked and can’t hear?
Soften with olive oil for a few days, then a microsuction clean under vision. Usually one visit.
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Grommets or a perforation?
Irrigation is off the table. Microsuction is the safe technique — and the one we use.
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Hearing aid blocked again?
A planned six- to twelve-month clean stops the cycle of blocked aids and re-tubing.
The journey
From self-referral to a clear canal — what happens, in order.
Softening at home, otoscopy, technique choice, cleaning, and — if hearing is still down — an audiogram.
Phase 1 · Before your appointment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Twenty minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You self-refer online
A short form. Which ear, how long, hearing loss, tinnitus, any grommets, ear surgery or discharge.
- 02
Before
Soften the wax at home
Olive oil drops — 2 to 3 drops, twice a day, for three to five days. It makes the appointment quicker and more comfortable.
- 03
Before
We book you in
Usually within a few days. Same-day slots are often available for blocked hearing aids or urgent audiology.
- 04
On the day
History and otoscopy
A short history — hearing, tinnitus, dizziness — then a look with an otoscope to confirm wax and rule out infection or perforation.
- 05
On the day
Technique chosen for your ear
Microsuction is first-line. Irrigation with a Propulse pump if the drum is intact. Manual instrumentation for firm wax near the entrance.
- 06
On the day
Wax removed under vision
Five to fifteen minutes per ear. Suction is noisy but not painful. Both ears cleared in one sitting if needed.
- 07
After
Optional post-clean audiogram
If hearing has not fully returned once the ears are clear, a pure-tone audiogram checks the underlying hearing itself.
Typical end-to-end: a few days from enquiry to appointment. Cleaning itself: under thirty minutes.
When it helps
When earwax removal is the right step.
The situations we see most, plus the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Blocked ear and hearing loss
A muffled, blocked or full ear that has not settled after olive oil drops — the commonest reason we clean wax.
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Tinnitus made worse by wax
Wax against the eardrum can make ringing or buzzing louder. Clearing it often quietens the tinnitus.
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Dizziness or a spinning sensation
Impacted wax can cause mild vertigo. Removal usually settles it — persistent dizziness needs an ENT review.
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Blocked hearing aid
Wax stops hearing aids working and damages the tubing. Regular cleaning keeps aids in service.
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Ear pain from impaction
Firm wax pressing on the canal wall causes a dull ache. Removal is the fix — antibiotics are not.
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Before an audiology test
Audiograms, hearing-aid fittings and pre-surgery checks need a clear canal to be accurate.
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Recurrent wax builder
Narrow canals, hearing aids and headphones all trap wax. A planned six- to twelve-month clean prevents blockages.
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Red flag: sudden hearing loss
Sudden one-sided hearing loss is an emergency — not a wax problem. Same-day ENT or A&E, not a clinic booking.
Options
Microsuction is not the only option — but it is usually the best.
What each option actually involves — and which fits which ear.
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Microsuction
Gold-standard. Wax lifted out under direct binocular microscope vision with a fine suction tube. Safe with grommets, perforations and mastoid cavities.
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Irrigation (Propulse pump)
Warm water under controlled low pressure flushes the wax out. Cheaper and faster — but not for perforated drums, prior ear surgery or grommets.
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Manual instrumentation
A curette, forceps or Jobson-Horne probe under direct vision. Best for firm wax sitting near the canal entrance.
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Olive oil drops (home first)
Two to three drops, twice a day, for three to five days. Softens wax and is often enough on its own for mild build-up.
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Sodium bicarbonate drops
An alternative softener when olive oil has not worked. Used for three to five days before the appointment.
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Wait-and-watch (if no symptoms)
Wax is normal and self-clearing. If you can hear well and have no symptoms, it does not need removing.
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Paediatric ENT referral
Children under five, or ears with grommets and discharge, are safer seen in a paediatric ENT clinic.
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Consultation only
If we look and the canal is already clear, we say so — no procedure charged, and we point you at the right next step.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of ear-care clinicians, we picked them.
ENT-trained audiologists, nurses and GPs across central, north, west and south London — with same-day ENT backup when a red flag appears.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinician in our network.
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Microsuction performed by an ENT-trained audiologist, nurse or GP
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Binocular microscope and clinical-grade suction unit, not a hand-held device
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Safe for grommets, perforations and mastoid cavities — technique chosen to match
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ENT referral on the same day if a red flag or complication is found
Safety and recovery
What to expect — honestly.
Earwax removal is a routine, safe out-patient procedure. The things worth planning are technique choice, contraindications, and knowing which symptoms are red flags.
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Suction is loud but not painful
Microsuction sounds like a small vacuum right next to the ear. It is not painful, but the noise can feel intense — it stops the second the tip is out.
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Irrigation is off the table for some
A perforated eardrum, previous ear surgery, grommets or a mastoid cavity all rule out irrigation. Microsuction is used instead.
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Mild dizziness is common, brief
Warm suction near the drum can cause a few seconds of dizziness. It settles quickly and does not need treatment.
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Tinnitus can flare briefly
Tinnitus sometimes gets louder for a day or two after cleaning, then settles. Persistent worsening should be reviewed.
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Infection risk is low
Otitis externa after microsuction is uncommon. Keep the ear dry for 48 hours and see us if the ear becomes painful, red or discharging.
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Perforation is rare
Perforation of the eardrum is a recognised but rare complication — well under one in a thousand cleans under microscope vision.
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Cochlear implant users — extra care
Cochlear implants and only-hearing ears are cleaned with extra caution, or referred straight to ENT.
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NHS route has changed
Routine wax removal has been withdrawn from many NHS practices — private microsuction is now the standard first-line pathway.
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Red flags
Sudden hearing loss, unilateral tinnitus, blood-stained discharge or severe ear pain are not wax problems — same-day ENT or A&E.
Reading your clinic note
Your ear-care note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever technique was used, the note the clinician sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Clinical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note or plan a review audiogram, just ask.
- 01 Header
Which ear, which technique
Left, right or both — and whether microsuction, irrigation or manual instrumentation was used.
- 02 Findings
Wax type and canal condition
How much wax, how firm, and the state of the canal and eardrum once cleared — perforation, grommet or scarring noted.
- 03 Impression
Hearing after cleaning
Whether hearing sounded subjectively improved, and whether a formal audiogram is recommended.
- 04 Plan
Aftercare and review timing
Read this first: keep the ear dry for 48 hours, when to come back, and whether a routine clean should be planned in six to twelve months.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for earwax removal varies by insurer — routine wax cleaning is usually self-pay, cover is more likely when arranged as part of an ENT or audiology assessment. We confirm before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about earwax removal.
Quick answers on safety, softening drops, and when this is not a wax problem at all.
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What is the safest way to remove earwax?
Microsuction under direct binocular microscope vision is the technique NICE, ENT UK and the British Society of Audiology recommend as first-line. It is safe with grommets, known perforations and mastoid cavities, where irrigation is not.
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Does earwax microsuction hurt?
No. The suction is loud — it sounds like a small vacuum right next to the ear — but it is not painful. Some people notice a few seconds of mild dizziness while the tip is close to the eardrum.
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Should I use olive oil drops before my appointment?
Yes, if you can. Two to three drops of olive oil, twice a day for three to five days beforehand, softens the wax and makes the clean quicker and more comfortable. Sodium bicarbonate drops are a good alternative.
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Is irrigation or microsuction better?
Microsuction is safer and works for almost every ear. Irrigation with a Propulse pump is quick and cheap for straightforward cases, but it cannot be used with a perforated eardrum, grommets, previous ear surgery or a mastoid cavity.
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How often should earwax be removed?
Wax is normal and mostly self-clearing — most people never need it removed. If you wear hearing aids, have narrow canals or keep getting blocked, a routine clean every six to twelve months usually prevents problems.
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When should I see a GP or ENT rather than book a clean?
Sudden one-sided hearing loss, unilateral tinnitus, blood-stained discharge, severe ear pain, dizziness that will not settle, or a suspected foreign body all need urgent ENT or A&E — not a wax appointment.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
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Microscopic examination & microsuction
The consultation and cleaning technique explained.
Learn more -
Earwax microsuction
The dedicated procedure page for microsuction.
Learn more -
Pure-tone audiometry
Formal hearing test after your ears are cleared.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more