Does it hurt?
No — microsuction is gentle and, for most people, completely painless. You'll hear the suction, which can sound loud for a moment, but there's no discomfort and no mess. If anything ever feels uncomfortable, we simply pause.
Microsuction · Ear Wax Removal
Ear wax removal and microsuction.
Launch offer
Professional ear wax removal for just £45
A limited-time introductory price, representing exceptional value for expert, clinically led care. Future appointments will be charged at our standard rate.
Book your £45 appointmentFirst, the reassuring part: wax is normal.
Ear wax isn't a sign that anything is wrong. Your body makes it on purpose — it traps dust, keeps the ear canal moisturised and helps protect against infection. Most of the time it clears by itself, gradually working its way out without you ever noticing.
Sometimes, though, it builds up faster than it can clear — often because of narrow ear canals, hearing aids, earphones, or simply how your body produces it. When that happens, it can harden, block the canal and start to affect your hearing. That's when a little help makes all the difference.
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Signs your ears may be blocked with wax.
A build-up tends to announce itself. You might notice:
- A feeling of fullness, pressure or blockage
- Muffled or dulled hearing, often in one ear
- That uncomfortable "underwater" sensation
- Earache, itching or a blocked-up ache
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- A hearing aid that whistles or no longer sits comfortably
If any of these sound familiar, blocked ears are often quickly and comfortably resolved.
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Blocked ears, or the start of hearing loss?
The two can feel surprisingly similar, but there's a useful rule of thumb. Wax tends to cause a sudden, blocked, muffled feeling — often in just one ear. A genuine change in hearing usually comes on gradually, affects both ears, and makes speech harder to follow rather than simply quieter.
It's only a guide, though — and the two can happen together. The only certain way to know is to look. If it's wax, we clear it. If it isn't, a hearing assessment tells us what's really going on.
Not sure which it is? Read ear wax or hearing loss: how can you tell?
What microsuction involves.
Microsuction is the gold standard for ear wax removal, and it's refreshingly straightforward. Your clinician examines the ear canal, then uses a gentle, precise suction — with specialist microscopy or a video camera — to lift the wax away while watching the canal clearly the whole time.
There's no water and no flushing, which makes it cleaner, more controlled and safer than traditional syringing. It's effective even on stubborn or impacted wax, and everything is explained as we go. Most appointments take around 30 minutes, and many people feel instant relief.
Book AppointmentGood to know
Calm, comfortable and honest.
How to prepare
Softening the wax first helps. Pop in olive oil drops (or a pharmacy softener) two to three times a day for three to five days beforehand. Please skip the cotton buds — they push wax deeper and make things harder.
If there's no wax
Sometimes we look inside and there's little or no wax to remove. If so, we'll tell you honestly and won't charge you for a procedure you don't need — and we'll help you work out what's actually going on.
A quick note on safety.
Microsuction is very safe and suitable for most adults — including many people who can't have syringing. In a few situations we simply take extra care, or check first, so it's helpful to tell us if you have:
- A perforated eardrum, or recent ear surgery
- An active ear infection or discharge
- Only one hearing ear
- Grommets or a history of ear problems
None of these necessarily rule it out — they just help us look after you properly. Please seek prompt medical advice from your GP or NHS 111 if you have sudden hearing loss, severe pain, dizziness or discharge, as these need attention sooner.
Launch offer: just £45 for both ears — a limited-time introductory price; standard rates apply thereafter. Ages 18+.
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Learn more: ear wax or hearing loss — how can you tell?, take our free online hearing test, or explore hearing assessments, hearing aids and tinnitus support.
Meet your hearing care specialists.
With over 20 years' experience and a passion for audiology inspired by his grandfather, Ben brings award-winning care and compassion to every appointment. Let him guide you on your journey to better hearing.
And after 4 years with us, Gemma is now part of our audiology team — recently qualified as a Hearing Care Assistant, she's here to look after you with a friendly face and expert care.
Ben — Principal Audiologist
Gemma — Hearing Care Assistant
Reviews.
★★★★★
"He suggested I have a full hearing screening… I did not realise how much hearing I had lost. He fitted hearing aids for me to check and what a difference. My tinnitus had gone and my hearing back. At no time I felt pressured into buying aids. Very impressed with the service."— Ian R., Google review
STOTTS. Membership · Launching Summer 2026
Members enjoy priority ear wax removal appointments and member-only savings, alongside included hearing care that looks after you over time.
Register Your InterestWhere to book
Ear wax removal near you
Microsuction ear wax removal is available at every STOTTS. practice across Greater Manchester and Lancashire. Choose your nearest branch to book.
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Unsworth
Stotts Unsworth
Greater Manchester
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Swinton
Stotts Swinton
Greater Manchester
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Urmston
Stotts Urmston
Greater Manchester
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Chorley
Sutcliffes Opticians
Lancashire
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Burnley
Brown Opticians and Audiologists
Lancashire
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Padiham
Mr Jinkinsons Opticians
Lancashire
Ear wax removal questions, answered.
Does microsuction hurt?
No. Microsuction is gentle and comfortable, and most people find it painless. You will hear the suction, which can sound loud for a moment, but there is no water and no uncomfortable pressure. Many people feel immediate relief once the wax is cleared.
How much does ear wax removal cost?
As a limited-time launch offer, professional microsuction ear wax removal is just £45 for both ears — exceptional value for expert, clinically led care. Future appointments will be charged at our standard rate. And if we look inside and there is no wax to remove, we will tell you before proceeding — you will never be charged for a procedure you do not need.
How should I prepare for my appointment?
Softening the wax beforehand helps. Using olive oil drops (or a pharmacy ear-wax softener) two to three times a day for three to five days before your appointment makes removal quicker and even more comfortable. There is no need to over-soften, and please avoid cotton buds, which push wax deeper.
Is microsuction better than ear syringing?
Microsuction is widely regarded as the gold standard. Because it uses gentle suction rather than water, we can see the ear canal clearly throughout, it is more controlled, and it is suitable for people who cannot have traditional syringing — such as those with a perforation or a history of ear surgery.
How long does the appointment take?
Most appointments take around 30 minutes, including a proper look inside your ears, the removal itself and a clear explanation of what we found.
Is ear wax removal available near me?
Yes. Microsuction ear wax removal is available at every STOTTS. practice across Greater Manchester and Lancashire — Unsworth, Swinton, Urmston, Chorley, Burnley and Padiham. Choose your nearest branch to book.
How do I know if it is wax or hearing loss?
A sudden, blocked or muffled feeling in one ear usually points to wax, while a gradual loss of clarity in both ears points to a change in hearing. The only certain way to know is to have the ear examined. We look inside on the day and, if it is not wax, a hearing assessment tells us more.
Hearing Care Welcome Offer
Free hearing screening & video otoscopy, 50% off earwax removal, and up to £500 off hearing aids.
A limited-time welcome offer for new hearing-care patients across STOTTS.