Ear Health Check and Wax Removal Service

It is crucial to take care of your ears and hearing health. Almost half a billion people worldwide suffer from disabling hearing loss. Approximately 2.3 million people in the UK each year have problems with earwax sufficient to require intervention. Many factors can affect our ear health, including age, the misuse of headphones, exposure to very loud noises, and wax build-up. Given advancements in recent technology, we can now offer a full ear care service within our pharmacies. 

This involves a digital otoscopy examination to check the health of your ears and, if wax is present, we can quickly and safely remove it using microsuction. We can also perform a hearing screener test to establish whether your hearing is normal or if you have a suspected hearing loss.

Although having some ear wax is perfectly normal, sometimes a build-up of ear wax can occur, which can result in the following symptoms: hearing loss, ear pain, itching, odour or discharge, and dizziness.

The following signs and symptoms could indicate that you might need to have your ear wax professional removed:

– loss of hearing

– earache

– discomfort

– discharge

– ears feeling full

– ringing and itching

– loss of balance, dizziness

– coughing

Having your ear wax removed is a quick and easy process. Generally, it only takes trained professionals around 30 minutes to complete the procedure. 

In September 2020, the government confirmed that the NHS is no longer offering ear wax removal services. This means that you most likely cannot access this procedure through your local GP. Waiting lists for ENT appointments on the NHS can be up to a year long. 

In order to remove the wax from your ears, we use a process called microsuction. This procedure is generally accepted as the safest and most effective method of ear wax removal. We use an innovative device, the Tympa system, to gently and safely suction unwanted skin cells and ear wax from the ears. Our TympaHealth system uses magnification to help us remove the wax carefully without coming into contact with the eardrum. We can even show you images and videos of your ears before and after the procedure to show you the difference!  

In the past, it was common to use a technique called syringing, where high-pressure water is squirted into the ear to dislodge the wax. However, this procedure is somewhat uncomfortable and unsuitable for children or those with perforations in the eardrum. It also leaves the inner ear wet, which can leave the patient at risk of infection.  

No, you do not need a referral to have your ear wax removed. This process is generally no longer offered on the NHS. Waiting lists for ENT appointments on the NHS can be up to a year long. 

Ear wax removal should not hurt. It can be noisy, but not louder than household appliances, like your hoover. If you have recently had an ear infection or use particular ear drops that contain peroxide, your ear canal can become more sensitive. If you have caused previous irritation to your ears, the procedure might be slightly uncomfortable but not painful. 

In the majority of cases, we can quickly and safely remove your ear wax. However, sometimes wax can be especially hard and compacted. If this is the case, we may ask you to use Earol to soften the wax before returning for a repeat appointment. 

Hearing loss can sometimes be caused by a blockage, such as a build-up of ear wax inside the ear. If ear wax is the reason you are experiencing a hearing loss, we can remove this for you, which could improve your hearing. However, a hearing loss could be due to several factors. This procedure cannot cure hearing loss caused by other factors.  

Our otoscopy services are suitable for anyone over the age of 5. Our microsuction wax removal service is available to anyone over the age of 16. 

Yes, our ear care service is suitable for anyone with hearing aids. Those with hearing aids often wear them up to 24 hours a day. Simply having these instruments inside your ear can impact how your body naturally removes ear wax. Wearing hearing aids can increase your chance of ear wax build-up, so we recommend having this procedure once or twice a year, depending on how much wax you produce.  

How much wax our bodies produce varies from person to person. However, we recommend having this procedure every 4-6 months for those prone to ear wax build-up. Microsuction can be carried out as often as necessary. 

 We would also recommend regularly assessing the general condition of your ear and hearing health once or twice a year. With regular monitoring, we can prevent problems before they start to cause an issue.