Ear Wax Microsuction · Oxford

Ear wax removal in Oxford - cleared the gentle way.

Microsuction is the modern, water-free way to remove ear wax – gentle, precise, and done under a clinical microscope. At MediPill it’s carried out by a pharmacist who is fully trained and experienced in the procedure.
No water, no syringing. A trained pharmacist clears the wax with fine, gentle suction, and most appointments take around 30 minutes.
What happens at a microsuction appointmentListen · 45 sec
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Your appointment

What happens in your 30 minutes

  1. 1
    Look

    Your pharmacist examines both ears with an otoscope and explains what they find.

  2. 2
    Clear

    Wax is lifted out with fine, gentle suction. No water, no syringing, nothing pushed deeper.

  3. 3
    Check

    Ears re-examined, aftercare explained, and drops sorted for you if they are needed.

Water-freeTrained pharmacistFrom £50Summertown & Botley
A MediPill pharmacist performing gentle ear microsuction
Why microsuction

Gentler than syringing. Safer too.

Microsuction uses fine, gentle suction instead of flushing water into the ear canal – so there’s no risk of pushing wax deeper and no infection risk from water. It works on both soft and hard wax, and NHS guidance now favours it over syringing.

A trained, experienced pharmacist

The procedure is performed by a MediPill pharmacist who has completed dedicated microsuction training and carries it out regularly - not outsourced, not rushed.

Done under a microscope

Wax is removed under direct vision with a clinical microscope and gentle suction. You stay comfortable and the canal is never flooded with water.

Both ears assessed first

Your pharmacist examines both ears before starting. If it isn’t safe or suitable to proceed - for example an active infection - we tell you and won’t carry it out.

Where to find us

Available at two of our branches.

Ear microsuction, infection and earache appointments run at our Summertown and Botley branches only. Choose whichever is most convenient when you book.
MediPill Pharmacy Summertown, 227 Banbury Road
Summertown
227 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7HQ
01865 558 348
Book at Summertown →
MediPill Pharmacy Botley, 9 Westway Square
Botley
9 Westway Square, Oxford, OX2 9TJ
01865 247 023
Book at Botley →
Pricing

Clear pricing - including same-day urgent removal.

Pay only for the appointment you need. Your pharmacist confirms the right option after examining your ears.
ServiceTimePrice
Ear wax removal – one ear30 min£50
Ear wax removal – both ears30 min£80
Urgent same-day removal – one ear40 min£64
Urgent same-day removal – both ears45 min£94
Acute ear infection – otitis externa15 min£35
Middle ear infection – acute15 min£35
Urgent same-day appointments cannot be booked online – call your chosen branch directly to arrange one. Standard removals and infection appointments can be booked online.
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Why it matters

Clear ears keep you in the conversations that matter.

Enjoying time together
Inspection & hearing screening

An ear inspection - with an optional hearing screen.

The Ear Wax Inspection is £15. Your pharmacist examines both ears with an otoscope and tells you whether removal is needed – a clear, professional check in one appointment. If you would also like a four-frequency hearing screening, that is £10 on top.
Please note: this is a screening service only. If anything needs further investigation, a referral to a GP or suitable healthcare professional would be needed – which is not something we arrange or take responsibility for.
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Ear Wax Inspection - £15, hearing screening +£10

✓  Both ears examined with an otoscope by your pharmacist✓  Add a four-frequency hearing screening for £10 if you would like one✓  Not included with any other service – a removal, infection or earache appointment✓  Want the hearing screening added on to another service? It’s a £10 charge on top
More than wax removal

Ear infections and earache - seen here, not at the GP.

It isn’t only wax. Your pharmacist can assess and treat common ear problems on the spot – so you can skip the wait for a GP appointment.

Who you will see

Uthmaan Abbasi, Branch Pharmacist at MediPill Summertown
Uthmaan AbbasiBranch Pharmacist · Summertown
Sana Chaudhary, Branch Pharmacist at MediPill Botley
Sana ChaudharyBranch Pharmacist · Botley

Ear infection treatment

Have an ear infection? Our pharmacist can assess it and provide treatment without you needing to see a GP. A charge applies - £35 for acute otitis externa or an acute middle ear infection.

Earache treatment

If you have earache, we can examine it and provide suitable treatment as a private service - quick to access, no GP appointment required.

Aftercare

Looked after, after your visit.

Your care doesn’t end when the appointment does. If your ears would benefit from wax-softening drops before or after a removal, we’ll sort that for you – you don’t need to go anywhere else. And if any symptoms return, just call the branch and we’ll see you.
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Included in your aftercare

✓  Wax-softening drops sorted for you when they’re needed✓  Clear advice on keeping ears healthy between visits✓  A quick call back if symptoms return after a removal✓  The same pharmacy team each time – continuity of care
Questions

Ear microsuction, answered.

Usually not. Most people find microsuction comfortable, though you will hear the suction, which is loud. ENT UK notes it is not unusual to feel some discomfort when wax is impacted deep in the canal, where the skin is very sensitive. If it does become painful we stop – ENT UK advises against pressing on – and we will send you home with softening drops and rebook you, at no extra charge.
Not always, but softening drops for a few days before can make removal quicker and easier. If you need them, we’ll take care of that for you – just ask when you book.
A standard removal appointment is 30 minutes for one or both ears. Infection and earache appointments are around 15 minutes, and urgent same-day slots are slightly longer. The Ear Wax Inspection & Hearing Screening is a dedicated appointment as it includes the four-frequency screening.
Ear microsuction, infection and earache appointments run at our Summertown and Botley branches only. You can choose whichever is more convenient when you book.
Yes. Our pharmacist can assess and treat acute ear infections – otitis externa or an acute middle ear infection – as a private service, so you don’t need a GP appointment. A charge applies. For children, this is treated free on the NHS – see earache and ear infections in children.
An active ear infection, recent ear surgery, or a perforated eardrum may mean we postpone the procedure. Your pharmacist examines both ears first and will only proceed when it’s safe.

Ear wax removal at MediPill costs £50 for one ear or £80 for both ears, in a 30-minute appointment. Urgent same-day removal is £64 for one ear or £94 for both. If you are not sure whether removal is needed, an Ear Wax Inspection is £15 – your pharmacist examines both ears and tells you honestly whether treatment is required.

We offer microsuction rather than syringing. Microsuction uses fine, gentle suction under a clinical microscope instead of flushing water into the ear canal – so there is no risk of pushing wax deeper and no infection risk from water. NHS guidance now favours microsuction over syringing, and it works on both soft and hard wax.

Yes – urgent same-day removal appointments run at our Summertown (227 Banbury Road, OX2 7HQ) and Botley (9 Westway Square, OX2 9TJ) branches. Same-day slots cannot be booked online, so call the branch directly – Summertown 01865 558 348 or Botley 01865 247 023. Standard appointments can be booked online and are often available within a day or two.

Most GP practices no longer offer ear wax removal on the NHS, which is why many people now use a pharmacy-based service. At MediPill the procedure is carried out privately by a trained, experienced pharmacist, with clear pricing and no referral needed. Full guide: is ear wax removal free on the NHS?

It is unusual after straightforward microsuction. ENT UK estimates temporary tinnitus in about 1 in 100 people and lasting tinnitus in about 1 in 5,000 – the suction is loud, and people who are sensitive to noise are the most likely to notice it. Tell your pharmacist beforehand if you already have tinnitus or find loud sounds difficult: a smaller suction tip or a different instrument can be used instead.
A brief, mild dizziness during the procedure is common – the suction cools the ear canal, and the balance organ sits just behind it. It normally passes within moments of stopping. ENT UK estimates severe vertigo in about 1 in 200 people. Tell us if you are prone to vertigo and we will take it slowly; it is worth having someone with you if you have had significant dizziness before.
Ready when you are

Book your ear appointment.

Same-day slots are often available at Summertown and Botley. Book online in under a minute, or call the branch direct.
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