The Short Answer
For most people in the Black Country, routine ear wax removal is no longer available on the NHS. Ear syringing and microsuction have been withdrawn from the majority of GP surgeries across the region, and most patients who ask are now advised to self-treat with olive oil drops — or to seek private treatment.
There are limited exceptions for clinically urgent cases, but for the everyday problem of blocked, wax-filled ears, the reality is that the NHS route has largely closed. This page explains what happened, what the NHS still offers, and what your options are if — like most people — you can’t get treatment through your GP.
What Happened to NHS Ear Wax Removal?
Ear wax removal was never part of the core contract GP surgeries hold with the NHS — it was an additional service that individual practices chose to offer. Over recent years, funding pressures and safety concerns around ear syringing have led most practices across England, including the Black Country, to stop offering it altogether.
Traditional ear syringing (irrigation) fell out of favour for good clinical reasons: it can push wax deeper into the canal, cause dizziness or infection, and isn’t safe for anyone with a perforated eardrum or history of ear surgery. Modern guidance favours microsuction — but microsuction requires specialist equipment and training that most GP surgeries don’t have.
The result is what hearing charities have described as a postcode lottery: a small number of areas still commission NHS ear wax removal, while most — including much of the Black Country — do not. Patients are typically told to use olive oil drops for a few weeks and, if the problem persists, to look at private options.
The Local Picture, Area by Area
Based on what patients across the region tell us they’ve been advised
Dudley (DY1, DY2, DY3)
Routine ear wax removal is not generally available through GP surgeries in the Dudley borough. Patients are typically advised to self-treat with drops or seek private microsuction.
Stourbridge & Wollaston (DY7, DY8, DY9)
As with the wider borough, ear syringing has been withdrawn from most local surgeries. Some patients report being referred privately by their own GP.
Kingswinford, Wall Heath & Brierley Hill (DY5, DY6)
Routine NHS wax removal is not commissioned locally. This is the area where Hear Now! is based — and where much of our work comes from patients who first tried, and couldn’t get, an NHS appointment.
Wombourne & South Staffordshire (WV5)
Availability differs under South Staffordshire arrangements but most patients report the same position: drops first, private treatment if the problem persists.
What the NHS Does Still Offer
To be fair to the NHS, it hasn’t abandoned ear care entirely. You should always speak to your GP first if you have ear pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss, or suspect an infection — these are clinical problems, not simple wax build-up, and NHS treatment is available for them.
- Suspected infections, pain or discharge — see your GP; this is not a wax removal issue
- Sudden hearing loss — treat as urgent and contact your GP or NHS 111 the same day
- Clinically urgent wax impaction — where wax is causing significant problems (for example, preventing examination of a painful ear), some practices can still refer to community ear care or ENT services, though waits can be long
- Self-care advice — GPs and pharmacists can advise on olive oil or sodium bicarbonate drops, which resolve mild wax build-up for some people over 2–3 weeks
The gap is the everyday case: blocked, uncomfortable, wax-filled ears that drops haven’t fixed. That’s the situation where most Black Country patients now have no realistic NHS route — and it’s exactly the gap Hear Now! exists to fill.
Your Private Option — Without the Clinic Trip
If your GP can’t help, private microsuction is the recommended alternative — and it doesn’t have to mean travelling to a high street clinic and sitting in a waiting room.
Hear Now! brings professional microsuction ear wax removal directly to your home across Kingswinford, Stourbridge, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Wollaston and the wider Black Country. Every visit uses the Tympa Health system — the same NHS-grade technology used in hospital and community ear care — and includes HD digital otoscopy and a 4-frequency hearing check as standard.
Pricing is simple and honest: £30 for an examination if no wax is found, or a flat £60 for full microsuction wax removal covering both ears. No travel fees, no callout charges, and usually no waiting list — most clients are seen within the same week.
Book a Home Visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I try olive oil drops before booking?
Yes — it’s sensible and honest advice. Olive oil drops used for 2–3 weeks resolve mild wax build-up for some people at almost no cost. If drops haven’t worked, or your ears are significantly blocked, that’s when microsuction is worth booking. Using drops for 3–5 days before an appointment also softens the wax and makes removal quicker and more comfortable.
Why did the NHS stop ear syringing?
Syringing uses pressurised water, which can push wax deeper, cause dizziness or infection, and isn’t safe for people with perforated eardrums or previous ear surgery. Combined with funding pressures, most GP practices withdrew the service. Microsuction is the safer modern alternative — but it needs specialist equipment most surgeries don’t have.
Is private microsuction safe?
Microsuction is widely regarded as the gold standard for wax removal — it’s performed under direct visual guidance with no water involved, making it suitable for almost everyone, including people with perforated eardrums. Hear Now! is Tympa-certified, DBS checked and fully insured, and every appointment includes HD otoscopy so you can see exactly what we can see.
When should I see my GP instead?
Always contact your GP (or NHS 111) rather than booking wax removal if you have ear pain, discharge, bleeding, sudden hearing loss, or signs of infection. Those need medical assessment first. If we examine your ears and find anything of concern, we’ll tell you honestly and advise you to see your GP — we never treat something that needs medical attention.
How much does private ear wax removal cost?
With Hear Now!, £30 for an examination if your ears turn out to be clear, or a flat £60 for full microsuction removal — both ears included, at your home, with no travel or callout fees. High street clinics typically charge £50–£100 and require you to travel to them.
Blocked Ears and No NHS Option?
We’ll come to you — anywhere across Kingswinford, Stourbridge, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Wollaston and the wider Black Country.
📞 07799 062999 | ✉️ hello@hear-now.co.uk | Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00
