Where can I get my ears cleaned?

In the UK, ear wax removal is now being offered everywhere from pharmacies to beauty salons. But, just because it is available does not mean it is safe.

In this article, I’ll explain who you can trust for safe and effective ear wax removal, the risks of poor-quality care, and why proper training matters.

Key points at a glance:

• Ear wax removal is currently unregulated in the UK.
• Many providers offering ear wax removal have little or no clinical training.
• The biggest risk is not removing ear wax badly, but missing something serious.
• Audiologists and ENT consultants are the most qualified to perform safe ear wax removal.
• Pharmacies, nurses, and GPs vary widely in ear wax removal experience and training.
• Beauty salons and barbers should not be offering this service.

Search online for “ear wax removal near me” and you will see a long list of results. Audiology clinics, pharmacists, nurses, beauty salons, and even hairdressers all appear.

So, what is going on? Why is everyone suddenly offering to clean your ears, and where should you actually go to get it done safely?

There is a simple reason. Ear wax removal is something a lot of people need, and right now there is no regulation in place. That means anyone can buy a suction machine, complete a short online course, and begin offering ear wax removal to the public. No clinical experience is required. No licence. No oversight!

In fact, some businesses actively encourage this. They sell equipment and provide basic training to non-clinicians. They also promote ear wax removal as an extra service for pharmacies and other high street providers. Some even work with large pharmacy chains and support national rollouts.

From a business point of view, it makes sense. From a safety point of view, I think it raises real concerns. It is creating a system that values volume and profit over qualification.

Ear wax removal might seem simple, but it involves entering the ear canal with instruments or water. When done badly, it can cause serious harm.

^{A qualified audiologist safely examining the ear using video otoscopy.}

The risks include:

• Damage to the ear canal.
• Perforated eardrum.
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus.
• Infection.

In my opinion as an experienced audiologist, the biggest risk is not the procedure itself, It’s what might get missed!

Many people come in thinking it’s just excess wax in their ears when, in fact, there is an infection, a perforation, or something more serious going on. If the person doing the procedure cannot identify that, it could lead to long-term problems.

Proper ear wax removal training is about more than technique. Removing wax safely is one part of the job. The more important part is knowing when to stop and when to refer.

Good ear wax removal training covers:

• Identifying eardrum perforations.
• Recognising infections or foreign bodies.
• Understanding the anatomy of the ear.
• Knowing when a condition needs specialist ENT input.
• Understanding what is outside your scope of practice.

This level of knowledge and understanding only comes from formal training and experience, including regular exposure to ear health. You do not get it from a two-day course!

Not all providers are created equal. Some are trained specialists. Some are not. Here’s our guide to who offers ear wax removal in the UK, what you can expect, and how safe it really is.

It might be tempting to book ear wax removal at your nearest location, especially if it is cheap or available the next day. But this is your hearing we are talking about, so we always recommend that you choose expertise over convenience!

Before you book, ask:

• Who is carrying out the procedure?
• What training have they had?
• Can they spot something unusual or serious?

At Alto, we believe ear care is not just about removing wax. It is about understanding the health of the whole ear, and providing the right care at the right time. That is why our team includes fully trained and qualified audiologists who deal with ears every single day.

You only get one pair of ears. Look after them properly.

For more honest and independent hearing advice, please visit our Alto Hearing YouTube channel.

Article by Adam Bostock – Senior Audiologist