Our ear clinic helps to diagnose and treat painful and irritating ear ailments. We can provide a free ear check where our fully trained pharmacist will look into the ear canal and see if there are any signs of infection, inflammation, obstruction or excess wax. If any issues are found they can be treated directly by us. Our pharmacist is able to prescribe medication for infections and we can also remove any foreign objects or excess ear wax using ear microsuction all in the pharmacy clinic.

Microsuction is the safest, most comfortable method of ear wax removal available. This gold standard technique uses a high power surgical microscope to look into the ear while using a narrow suction device to gently and painlessly remove the ear wax. It allows the pharmacist to have a clear view of the full ear canal and can make sure that all wax has been thoroughly removed. Microsuction is even safe enough to use on patients with ear perforations. With no need for flushing with water, this super safe mess free method has become increasingly popular. 

Ear Wax, also known as Cerumen is a naturally occurring oil that is produced by glands in the ear canal. It serves to lubricate the ear canal as well as protect it from dust particles, micro-organisms and irritation caused from water. Excessive ear wax production however can lead to a negative impact on an individual’s well being leading to a substantial blockage of the ear canal. Excessive ear wax or impaction can lead to deterioration of quality of hearing, ear pain (especially if the wax becomes hardened and touches the ear drum), dizziness and headaches.

Whilst wax production is a normal phenomenon, excessive wax build up can be caused or accelerated due to many factors. Narrow ear canal- allows the canal to be blocked with smaller amounts of wax; Age- as we get older wax becomes dry and doesn’t leave the ear easily; Hair- wax integrates with hair within the ear canal and becomes stuck and dry; Use of external material- items commonly used such as ear plugs, ear phones, ear buds and hearing aids push the wax deeper into the ear canal and as a result cause the wax to impact and harden reducing its chance of leaving the ear without intervention; Occupation- certain occupations involving loud noises can increase ear wax production, in addition jobs were exposure to debris and dust is constant and significant (construction) may also find a quicker rate of wax production.

• You may notice the following if you have a build up of ear wax;
• Decreased quality of hearing from one or both ears
• People asking if you are deaf
• Ear pain
• Dizziness or disorientation
• Focusing on reading lips to understand what people are saying
• Need to use high volumes when listening to TV or music
• Hearing aids not working properly
• Worsening tinnitus (high pitch tones coming from inside the ear)
• Removal of the ear wax will in most cases solve these issues.

Microsuction technique was developed by Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists that allows for the removal of the wax carefully from the ears using a small thin tube connected to a suction device without pain or discomfort. Microsuction is a specialist procedure performed by highly trained professionals and is a lot more successful at removing wax compared to other techniques such as syringing or irrigation.

We use a specialist ENT Carl-Zeiss microscope and suction machine to carefully and precisely suction out the wax. We do not use goggles or Loupes for this procedure, instead we have invested in high quality, hospital grade equipment to ensure best results for our patient. We also run the clinic on a daily basis for patients in pain or discomfort and as a result we can offer same day appointments.

Not sure if its wax or anything else?, we offer a free ear check, just walk into the pharmacy and we can examine your ear canal free of charge to diagnose the problem. Our pharmacist, Mohammed is a prescribing pharmacist and as such any signs of infection or inflammation in the ear can be dealt with appropriate antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory prescription medication. If we find small amounts of wax we can help you chose the best ear drop to help manage the condition, however if the build up is excessive we will inform you that microsuction maybe the best option and will arrange an appointment for you to have the procedure in our clinic.

Sometimes we find the ear problem is not from wax but from other foreign objects that have found their way into the ear canal. In the past we have removed a variety of foreign materials including ear buds, cotton wool and hearing aid rubber ends. Don’t worry come n for an ear check and whatever is causing you discomfort we can get it removed.

Removing the bacteria, puss and discharge from the ear by microsuction will allow for a quicker healing process as well as removing the debris allowing antibiotic ear spray to reach the required site and work more productively. In previous cases, removing the wax and discharge in the ear has resulted in some patients not needing to use an antibiotic as the pain subsided almost immediately.

There is no set timeframe for repeating microsuction, we advise that you come and have a free ear check whenever you feel something is not quite right and we will best advise you whether you need microsuction or any other course of action, if any.

There are a variety of over the counter dops that will soften the ear wax, we can advise you on the best choice depending on the amount of build-up, however if the wax is impacted or is excessive than the drops may not be enough to dislodge and remove the wax and could the over4 months to do so.

There are several self-removal techniques available which we alongside other Ear specialist do not recommend as without expert knowledge of the anatomy of the ear canal and the training to carefully remove the wax, you can seriously irritate the ear canal and more seriously perforate the ear drum. We don’t recommend self-removal techniques

Its easy, simply come into the pharmacy or give us a call on 0208 300 2008 and we will book you into the clinic on a day and time that suits you. If you are in pin let us know and we can offer you a same day appointment.

You can find us on the corner of Hadlow Rd and Sidcup High Street, opposite the Better Gym and only a few metres away from both Poundland and Waitrose. We are a short 10 minute walk from Sidcup train station and near bus stops V and T on Sidcup High Street. Parking is available on Hadlow Road.

Close to Bexley (DA5), Bexleyheath (DA6 DA7 DA8), Eltham (SE9), New Eltham, Swanley (BR5 BR8), Orpington (BR1 BR2 BR5) and mainline train station Sidcup (DA14 DA15). With regular links to and from London. If you need any help with directions when visiting our clinic just give us a call on 0208 300 2008 or visit us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.