Ear Wax Removal by the Numbers: Preparation, Timings and Costs

Ear wax removal is a short appointment, but a few simple numbers decide how well it goes: how long the wax has been softened, how long each ear takes, what it costs and how long to keep the ears dry afterwards. Charting them also helps patients plan the trip, especially when they are travelling in from another part of the county.

Before the appointment

• Olive oil spray: twice a day for three to five days before the appointment
• Sodium bicarbonate drops: not recommended by the clinic
• GP referral: not needed for a private clinic

Preparation makes the biggest single difference to the outcome. Soft wax comes away more easily, so the appointment is quicker and more comfortable.

During the appointment

• Microsuction: around 12 minutes per ear on average
• Camera check: the inside of each ear is shown on a screen before and after treatment
• Method: microsuction, warm water irrigation or both, depending on the wax

Clinics offering microsuction in Nottingham use a fine tube and gentle suction under light and magnification. It is noisy but should not be painful, and it suits people who cannot have water in the ear.

What it costs

• One ear: £35
• Both ears: £50

At Happy Ears in Woodthorpe, patients pay only for the ears that actually need treatment, which the camera check makes clear before anything is done.

Travel times worth charting

Many patients travel past closer clinics to see a practitioner they trust, so journey time is a useful figure to plot alongside price. For example:

• From West Bridgford: about 4.6 miles, roughly 20 minutes by car outside rush hour
• From Hucknall: about 5.2 miles, roughly 16 minutes by car

Patients booking ear wax removal from West Bridgford usually cross Trent Bridge and head up the A60 Mansfield Road, while Hucknall ear wax removal patients come in along the A611. Free on-street parking outside the clinic keeps the trip simple.

After the appointment

• Keep ears dry: for four to five days, especially after irrigation
• Swimming: use ear plugs, and avoid sea water for a few days
• Hearing: usually improves straight away

A handful of figures makes it easy to compare clinics and plan an appointment. For more on ear wax removal clinics and the numbers behind them, see our ear wax removal category.