Earwax Removal
Compare pharmacies offering private earwax (ear microsuction or irrigation) removal, since NHS provision has become limited in many areas.
NHS earwax removal at GP surgeries has become harder to access in many parts of the UK, leading more pharmacies to offer the service privately, usually using microsuction (a gentle vacuum method) or ear irrigation. Prices typically range from £50 to £80 for both ears, and appointments are usually available within a few days. You may be advised to use olive oil or ear drops for a few days beforehand to soften the wax, which makes removal easier and safer.
Published prices · September 2026
How much does earwax removal cost at UK pharmacies and opticians?
On 25 September 2026, 5 UK providers published earwax removal prices from £50 to £60 for a standard microsuction appointment. Several providers charge a smaller fee, or nothing, if the check finds no wax to remove — compare that as well as the headline price.
| Provider | Published price | What the price covers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Well Pharmacy | £50 | Microsuction at selected pharmacies. The ear check is free — nothing to pay if there is no wax to remove. | well.co.uk ↗ |
| Specsavers | £55 (£20 if no wax is found) | One or both ears, microsuction in store. Home visits £85. | specsavers.co.uk ↗ |
| Superdrug Health Clinics | £55 both ears · £35 one ear (£20 if no wax is found) | Ages 18+. 40-minute nurse appointment at selected clinics; microsuction or irrigation. | healthclinics.superdrug.com ↗ |
| Boots Hearingcare | £60 | Microsuction with an ear health check and a free hearing check, in selected stores. | bootshearingcare.com ↗ |
| Boots Pharmacy | £60 (£25 consultation if no wax) | Ages 18+. 30-minute microsuction appointment in 64 UK stores, by appointment only. | boots.com ↗ |
Prices copied from each provider’s own website on 25 September 2026. Prices vary by branch and change during the season — confirm before you book. We do not take payment for inclusion in this table. Superdrug’s one-ear price is £35; a 20% discount runs until 6 October 2026. Boots Pharmacy’s page was last dated June 2025. Report a price change.
What is pharmacy earwax removal?
Pharmacies usually remove earwax with microsuction (a gentle vacuum) or irrigation (water). It is a private service in most areas, not an NHS walk-in default.
Earwax is normal. It only needs removing when it blocks hearing, causes discomfort, or stops an examination. NHS earwax removal at GP surgeries has been withdrawn or rationed in many parts of England, so community pharmacies and audiology clinics now offer it privately.
Microsuction is the method most private pharmacies advertise: the clinician looks in the ear and vacuums visible wax. Irrigation flushes the canal with water. Neither is appropriate if the eardrum may be perforated, after some surgery, or when there is infection. The pharmacist or trained clinician decides.
How much does earwax removal cost at a UK pharmacy?
Typical private fees are £50–£80 for both ears. Some pharmacies charge per ear. Confirm whether the quoted price is one ear or two, and whether a follow-up is included.
Prices on this site are editorial typical ranges, not a live checkout feed. A pharmacy that looks cheaper may charge extra for a second ear, a second appointment, or a higher-spec device. Ask what happens if wax is too hard on the day — many will reschedule after olive oil rather than force removal.
NHS supply still exists in some areas via GP referral to audiology. Ask your GP surgery first if you cannot pay privately.
How should you prepare — and who should not book?
Most pharmacies ask you to use olive oil or ear drops for three to five days first. Do not book this service for sudden deafness, severe pain, or discharge.
Softening wax makes removal quicker and reduces the chance of an incomplete job. Follow the pharmacy’s own instructions; more oil is not always better.
Who this is not for: anyone with red-flag symptoms, children unless the pharmacy says it treats that age, or anyone expecting an NHS-funded appointment from this directory page. This list is GPhC-registered premises that record earwax removal as a service — confirm they still offer it and that a trained person is on duty.
Typical cost
£50 – £80
0 pharmacies with earwax removal confirmed on their profile
We do not yet have GPhC-registered pharmacies tagged for earwax removal in this snapshot. The education on this page still applies — ask a local pharmacist, or use Compare. A missing card is not proof the service does not exist nearby.
We only list a pharmacy here when the service is confirmed on its profile, so this is not every pharmacy that offers it. To check a pharmacy near you, open your town or city page and phone ahead.
Ratings and rankings are our editorial opinion, based on our publishedmethodology — they are not medical advice and pharmacies cannot pay to change a score. Where a pharmacy has no reviews we show "Not yet rated" — we never invent scores.Listings labelled Featured orReferral partner are paid placements; payment affects visibility only, never ratings or match results. We may receive a fee when you send a private-service enquiry.Private service prices are indicative — always confirm directly with the pharmacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does earwax removal cost at a pharmacy?▼
Typically £50-£80 for both ears, depending on the method (microsuction or irrigation) and the pharmacy. Some charge per ear rather than a flat fee.
Is earwax removal available free on the NHS?▼
It can be, but access varies significantly by area and many GP surgeries no longer offer it routinely, which is why private pharmacy provision has grown. Ask your GP surgery what's available locally first.
Do I need to prepare before an appointment?▼
Most pharmacies recommend using olive oil or proprietary ear drops for 3-5 days beforehand to soften the wax, making removal quicker and more comfortable.
How do I check a pharmacy offering earwax removal is GPhC-registered?▼
Open the listing, copy the premises registration number, and search it on pharmacyregulation.org. Match the name and address before you send ID, start a consultation, or pay. Pick My Pharmacy is a directory — we do not supply earwax removal.
Does Pick My Pharmacy provide earwax removal?▼
No. We compare GPhC-registered pharmacies. The pharmacy you choose supplies the service after its own clinical checks. Paid placements are labelled and never change a rating.
Related guides
Sources
- NHS: earwax build-up · checked 2026-09-01
- Pick My Pharmacy methodology · checked 2026-09-01