What to Expect from Professional Ear Wax Removal at Our London Clinic
At our London clinic, patients often arrive unsure whether their symptoms are due to wax, congestion, or another issue. A quick inspection by a qualified audiologist clarifies the cause, allowing us to provide safe, effective professional ear wax removal.
Understanding the Role of Ear Wax
Ear wax, or cerumen, is often misunderstood. Far from being a sign of poor hygiene, it is a natural, protective substance that keeps the ear canal healthy. It traps dust and microorganisms, maintaining a clean, lubricated environment for the delicate skin lining the ear. Normally, old wax moves outward and falls away on its own. However, wax can build up faster than it can clear in some people, particularly those who use hearing aids, in-ear headphones, or have naturally narrow ear canals. This can cause a blocked or full sensation, hearing dullness, tinnitus, or even mild dizziness.
Why Professional Removal Is Best
Attempting to clean ears at home with cotton buds, hairpins or ear candles risks serious harm. Cotton buds push wax deeper toward the eardrum, compacting it and making removal harder. Ear candles are both ineffective and unsafe, posing a risk of burns or debris entering the ear canal. Over-the-counter drops may soften wax but cannot remove it if it has become impacted.
At The Wellbeing by CUBEX, every impacted ear wax treatment is carried out under direct vision using a binocular microscope and gentle suction. This ensures that only the excess wax is removed, leaving the natural protective lining intact. The treatment is pain-free, and patients typically notice an immediate improvement in hearing and comfort.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
When you arrive at our safe ear wax removal clinic, your audiologist will begin by taking a brief case history. You may be asked about any recent infections, ear surgeries, or hearing aid use. The ear cleaning specialist will then examine your ear canal under magnification, explaining what they see.
If wax is present, the microsuction process begins. The actual procedure typically takes around 15 minutes A fine suction tube gently draws out the softened wax while the microscope provides continuous visibility. The sound can seem unusual at first (a quiet humming or whooshing), but the procedure itself is not painful. Most patients describe it as comfortable, if slightly ticklish. A fine suction probe is used under magnification to gently lift and remove the wax, without the need for water or high pressure. Patients often describe instant relief and improved hearing as the blockage clears.
After the wax is removed, the clinician will re-inspect the canal and eardrum to confirm they are healthy. If any redness or dryness is noted, after-care advice is given to support healing and prevent future build-up.
Why We Use Microsuction
Microsuction is now regarded by ear specialists as the gold standard in wax removal because it offers both precision and safety. Unlike traditional ear syringing, which uses a water jet to flush wax out, microsuction involves no pressure or moisture, reducing the risk of infection or perforation.
At The Wellbeing by CUBEX, we regularly see patients referred from GPs who no longer offer syringing. Some have been living with blocked hearing for weeks because they were unable to find a reliable clinic. Microsuction restores clarity almost instantly, without discomfort or downtime.
Our Clinical Experience
Our audiologists have decades of combined experience treating ear and hearing-related conditions. We routinely see individuals who rely on their hearing for professional or personal reasons – musicians, teachers, broadcasters and performers who cannot afford to risk damage from unverified cleaning methods.
In one recent case, a patient who wore custom hearing protection for work noticed increasing distortion in sound. A brief assessment confirmed compacted wax. After a ten-minute microsuction ear wax removal, his hearing and ear protection functioned perfectly again. Such examples demonstrate the everyday value of expert ear care from qualified audiologists who understand both the anatomy of the ear and the importance of hearing clarity.
Preventing Future Build-Up
Some people produce more wax than others, just as skin or hair types vary. People who use hearing aids, in particular, may require ear hygiene services more frequently, as wax can accumulate around earmoulds and receivers.
Following treatment, your clinician may provide guidance on keeping your ears in good condition, such as scheduling regular check-ups if you are prone to wax build-up to keep ears healthy.
Avoid inserting objects into the ear and let any mild itching or flaking be assessed professionally rather than self-treated. We also advise patients to contact us promptly if they experience renewed blockage, pain, or tinnitus; symptoms that can signal new wax formation or an underlying condition that needs attention.
Our ear hygiene services extend beyond ear wax removal for hearing aids. We offer ongoing care plans, advice on safe softening agents if needed, and assessments to ensure the ear canal remains clear and healthy between visits.
Book Your Appointment
If your hearing feels muffled or your ears are uncomfortable; if you experience any ear wax blockage symptoms, our audiologists are here to help. Visit our Ear Hygiene and Wax Removal page to learn more about pain-free ear wax removal in London, or call +44 20 7935 5511 to schedule an appointment today. Or just search “ear microsuction near me” and you’ll find us.