Frequently asked questions

It is usually well tolerated. The suction tip works close to the eardrum so you will hear it clearly, and a few people find the sensation ticklish or strange, but it should not hurt. If anything feels sore the clinician stops straight away. Very hard wax that has not been softened is the usual culprit when removal is uncomfortable, which is why we recommend olive oil beforehand.

£40 for one ear and £60 for both ears, covering the consultation, examination, removal and aftercare advice. If we find no wax that needs removing, there is no charge at all. Payment is taken at the pharmacy after the appointment.

Then you pay nothing. It happens: muffled hearing can come from colds, fluid behind the eardrum or other causes that look nothing like wax once we examine the canal. You will get a plain explanation of what we saw and where to go next.

No. Book online or call 0161 748 3016 and come straight to the pharmacy. Ear wax removal is no longer a core GP service in most areas, and local NHS access is referral-based and restricted, which is exactly why pharmacy clinics like ours exist.

Soften the wax with olive oil drops or spray, two to three times a day for three to five days before the appointment. Important exception: skip the drops and tell us when booking if you have a perforated eardrum, grommets, ear discharge or a current infection. The full routine is in our preparation guide.

Allow twenty to thirty minutes in total. The removal itself is often just a few minutes per ear; the rest is the history questions, the examination of both ears and the aftercare chat.

Yes. There is no anaesthetic, no sedation and no recovery period. Most people go straight back to work, driving and everything else.

Our clinic is for adults aged 18 and over. For under-18s, start with your GP practice, who can assess a child's ears and refer onwards where needed. Our children's guide on this site explains the sensible options for families in Urmston.

Yes, and it is often particularly worthwhile. Hearing aids can push wax deeper and encourage build-up, and blocked canals make aids whistle or sound weak. Bring your aids with you so you can check how they sound once the canals are clear.

Often yes, because microsuction uses no water, it is frequently the method of choice after perforation, grommets or ear surgery. Do not use olive oil beforehand, tell us your history when you book, and the clinician will assess suitability on the day.

Water-based syringing works blind and pushes against the eardrum, and modern ear care has largely moved away from it. Microsuction lets the clinician see the canal throughout and leaves no moisture behind. Our guide comparing the two methods covers this in detail.

It varies enormously. Some people never need it twice; others, especially hearing aid wearers and narrow-canalled ears, return every six to twelve months. Regular olive oil once the canal is clear can slow the rebuild. We will give you an honest read on your ears at the appointment.

Sometimes, yes. A soft, recent blockage can clear itself after a week or two of olive oil. Impacted or long-standing wax usually will not shift with drops alone. If your hearing has not improved after two weeks of oil, or the blockage keeps returning, professional removal is the reliable next step.

For ear canals, yes. They compress wax against the eardrum, strip the canal's protective lining and are one of the most common reasons wax becomes impacted in the first place. Nothing smaller than your elbow in your ear, as the old advice goes.

If you have ear pain, discharge or a fever, contact your GP or NHS 111 before considering wax removal. If you lose hearing suddenly in one ear, treat it as urgent and seek same-day medical care. Dizziness, sudden ringing or symptoms after a head injury also need a doctor first. If we spot any of these at your appointment we will stop and signpost you, without charge.

Inside Davyhulme Pharmacy at 179-181 Canterbury Road, Urmston M41 0SE, on the main road between Urmston town centre and Davyhulme Circle. Buses stop close by and on-street parking is normally easy. Directions from each nearby area are on our area pages.