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Original poster

Ear wax removal

46 replies

CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 13:16

I've suffered from ear wax build up in right ear for years. I usually use medicated olive oil to remove it, but when this didn't work I saw the nurse at GP surgery who washed it out. I understand that this isn't done via NHS GP nurses any longer (which is a bit daft in my opinion)...so I need to get a private microsuction done. Has anyone had any experience with these places? Do they work? Are they OK? I'm a bit concerned that anyone seems to be able to set these clinics up and I'm worried about ear damage!! Thanks.

OP posts:
Mindymomo · 25/05/2023 13:31

My DH has a perforated ear drum so gets a build up of wax and goes to a private GP clinic to get micro suction carried out. He was lucky that one time there was an ear specialist consultant doing a clinic that day and the person doing the ear cleaning asked him to take a look into his ears and prescribed him something our GP had never heard of, so was very lucky, as he did have an infection that caused the build up, It cost £45, but this was last year.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 25/05/2023 13:32

I went and had mine done at a private hearing aid practice. Specsavers and boots just kept messing me around cancelling appointment at very short notice.
Yes it works. World got extremely loud for quite a few days afterwards. I was advised to use olive oil drops for a coupe of days before my appointment. It’s doesn’t hurt, more of an awkward sensation. They couldn’t have been more gentle. Now booked for annual appointments as my ear canals are very narrow apparently!

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 13:34

Mindymomo · 25/05/2023 13:31

My DH has a perforated ear drum so gets a build up of wax and goes to a private GP clinic to get micro suction carried out. He was lucky that one time there was an ear specialist consultant doing a clinic that day and the person doing the ear cleaning asked him to take a look into his ears and prescribed him something our GP had never heard of, so was very lucky, as he did have an infection that caused the build up, It cost £45, but this was last year.

Thanks for your response. But it does seem a bit pot luck doesn't it? I'm just not sure..... but I'm glad you're husband's OK.

OP posts:
FrizzySweatyAndFrazzled · 25/05/2023 13:37

I've had mine done by Bupa before. Was £55, and all very quick, easy and painless, as well as effective.

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 13:38

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 25/05/2023 13:32

I went and had mine done at a private hearing aid practice. Specsavers and boots just kept messing me around cancelling appointment at very short notice.
Yes it works. World got extremely loud for quite a few days afterwards. I was advised to use olive oil drops for a coupe of days before my appointment. It’s doesn’t hurt, more of an awkward sensation. They couldn’t have been more gentle. Now booked for annual appointments as my ear canals are very narrow apparently!

Thanks for your response. I didn't know you could get it done with a private GP. That's reassuring. Specsavers and boots have been mucking me around too, which has made me even more hesitant. There's a lot of these places popping up all over London.... seems like fly by night operations. Yes I too have narrow ear canals. Thanks again.

OP posts:
Laffinalltheway · 25/05/2023 13:39

A lot of chemists do it now. Just make sure you put drops in for about a week beforehand.
I think it's terrible that it's not done at GPs anymore. The nurse at mine said she'd be happy to do it if allowed to...

Selfietaker · 25/05/2023 13:41

Specsavers give you an appointment and you go and get it done. Simple! Put in oil for a week beforehand.

Spidey66 · 25/05/2023 13:48

I've had it done. I used to get them syringed but the NHS don't offer this or an alternative in my area. Which I think is so wrong, but that's been debated here before. I paid £80 to have microsuction in both ears. I was happy with the results. I found a local audiologist online and checked the reviews. If you can afford it, go for it, it's safe and painless.

Spidey66 · 25/05/2023 13:49

Ps I think there's more popping up because if the NHS no longer doing it routinely. There's clearly a gap in the market.

crosstalk · 25/05/2023 13:53

Had mine done along with a hearing test at an optician/audiology service in small town. £60 and a great relief. I was already using them for eye checks.

Good luck.

Alphabet1spaghetti2 · 25/05/2023 13:58

@CriticalAlert A private hearing aid practice - not a private GP!

Muhwanda · 25/05/2023 14:01

A lot of the nurses from my local doctors do it on the side so to speak. The lady that does mine is fab. Maybe worth asking your doctor to recommend someone if you’re unsure?

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 14:04

Thanks for your responses everyone! It's deplorable that it's not done on the NHS any longer. Another Tory policy money spinner. What happens if people can't afford it, especially old people at risk of falling? But as stated it's been discussed on here previously. I think I'll opt for BUPA as Specsavers and boots have mucked me about. Thanks again 👍

OP posts:
LetItGoHome · 25/05/2023 14:19

The reason why your GP' s nurse isn't allowed to do it any more is because it's unsafe. Flushing water into the ear canal blindly isn't a good idea! People were getting perforated ear drums.
I take my daughter privately for microsuction every 6 months or so as she has ent issues which means she needs it doing.
Do I wish I could get her done on the NHS? Yes. But I don't blame the practice nurses for not doing an outdated risky procedure.

Mrsjayy · 25/05/2023 14:22

CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 13:16

I've suffered from ear wax build up in right ear for years. I usually use medicated olive oil to remove it, but when this didn't work I saw the nurse at GP surgery who washed it out. I understand that this isn't done via NHS GP nurses any longer (which is a bit daft in my opinion)...so I need to get a private microsuction done. Has anyone had any experience with these places? Do they work? Are they OK? I'm a bit concerned that anyone seems to be able to set these clinics up and I'm worried about ear damage!! Thanks.

I get mine sectioned at Hidden hearing usually twice a year. It's painless and worth the money I think it was £,67 last time I had then done.

LetItGoHome · 25/05/2023 14:22

We go to a small private audiology centre that also does the microsuction. I personally wouldn't let anyone who wasn't an audiologist do it. They are the experts in ears!
There are so many 'technicians' or 'therapists' advertising to do it with very little training or experience 😯

Mrsjayy · 25/05/2023 14:23

Suctioned* not sectioned

abring · 25/05/2023 14:30

They do this on the NHS. It depends on your GP. I had it done very recently. But they are reluctant as most cases can be sorted out with olive oil, people just don't do it properly or give it enough time.

ohtowinthelottery · 25/05/2023 14:34

DH has had his done at our local independent optician - they have audiology services as well, and also at a private hearing aid centre when he went to see if he needed hearing aids he does and has done bugger all about it

BungleandGeorge · 25/05/2023 14:44

Have you tried using drops regularly to prevent build up? It’s a small amount of people who can’t manage it proper use of drops and then I’d go to a registered audiologist. Ear syringing at GP surgery comes with more risks so fair enough it’s fallen out of favour

JussathoB · 25/05/2023 15:04

CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 13:16

I've suffered from ear wax build up in right ear for years. I usually use medicated olive oil to remove it, but when this didn't work I saw the nurse at GP surgery who washed it out. I understand that this isn't done via NHS GP nurses any longer (which is a bit daft in my opinion)...so I need to get a private microsuction done. Has anyone had any experience with these places? Do they work? Are they OK? I'm a bit concerned that anyone seems to be able to set these clinics up and I'm worried about ear damage!! Thanks.

I had trouble for years but now I have had the micro suction snd it is absolutely wonderful. Worth every penny, no discomfort, you can see everything they are doing on a screen.
Regarding whether the person is properly qualified, go to a public ‘shop’ or clinic and check they are an audiologist, and look at their certificates which should be on the wall.

Anjo2011 · 25/05/2023 15:24

Worth every penny as a blocked ear can make you feel really miserable. Quick, painless, clean as there’s no need for a weeks worth of olive oil and the relief is instant. Mine charges £30 for one ear, £50 for both. Have been going for about three years since surgery stopped syringing.

Original poster
CriticalAlert · 25/05/2023 15:48

BungleandGeorge · 25/05/2023 14:44

Have you tried using drops regularly to prevent build up? It’s a small amount of people who can’t manage it proper use of drops and then I’d go to a registered audiologist. Ear syringing at GP surgery comes with more risks so fair enough it’s fallen out of favour

Yes I normally use drops but sometimes they just don't remove it.

OP posts:
PToosher · 25/05/2023 16:24

I recently used a bulb syringe on my own ears and it was effective and inexpensive.

Roserunner · 25/05/2023 16:30

I had it done on the NHS a few months ago. I'd been waiting for about 4 MTHS after being referred by our GP surgery but did get an appointment eventually. It was a bit random as I'd been trying to chase it up but the phone just rang out. Then out if the blue I had a text message saying call a different number for appointments the following day!

It was a bit uncomfortable but I think it was quite blocked, they only did the one ear.