Happy Ears · Woodthorpe, Nottingham
Ear Syringing Nottingham
Old-style ear syringing is no longer considered safe under NICE guidance, so Michele uses its safer modern replacement: warm water irrigation, with the pressure controlled by a machine. £35 for one ear, £50 for both, at her clinic in Woodthorpe.
For adults who know they have wax and have used olive oil spray for a few days first.
Among the lowest prices in Nottingham
You only pay for what you need
Michele shows you inside your ears on a camera screen first, and you pay only for the ears that need treatment.
Microsuction and irrigation
Not every clinic offers both. Michele uses whichever suits your wax, or both, for the same price.
Ear syringing or ear irrigation?
Many people still call it ear syringing, and for years it was the only method most people knew. Both use a stream of warm water to loosen and flush out wax. The difference is the equipment.
Syringing
A large metal syringe, with the force set by how hard the plunger is pushed. The pressure can vary a great deal, and too much can damage the ear canal or eardrum. It is no longer offered by the NHS.
Irrigation
The same principle, but a machine controls the jet of warm water, so the pressure is steady and can be raised slowly and gently. That is what Michele uses.
See it for yourself
Some people ask whether the wax photos on Michele's website and Google profile are genuine. They are, and this short video shows it.
Why home syringe kits are risky
Since many GP surgeries stopped syringing, cheap home kits have become popular. Every ear canal is different, and wax can sit in different places. Without looking properly first, you can easily push the wax further in and make things worse, and too much pressure can lead to infection or damage to the eardrum.
Michele examines your ears before anything else, then tells you in plain English what she has found, which method she will use and why.
When irrigation is not suitable
- A perforated eardrum
- Recent ear surgery
- Grommets (ear tubes)
- An ear infection, which needs your GP or pharmacist first
For the first three, Michele can use microsuction instead, at the same price.
What irrigation can shift
Before and after irrigation
Before
Irrigation works best on wax that has been softened. Olive oil spray twice a day for three to five days, and at least two. How to prepare your ears
After
Keep your ears dry for four to five days, especially from sea water, and use ear plugs if you swim, until your ears have made a little fresh wax to protect them.
Michele does not recommend sodium bicarbonate drops.
What patients say
From Michele's Google reviews and patient testimonials.
"Honestly, I never thought I'd say this about ear wax removal, but it was that relaxing I'd almost want a blockage again just to go back!"
"Took time to make me feel at ease and also to explain the procedure as she went along. So lovely to be able to hear properly again!!!"
"An excellent service highly recommend if you have a blocked ear. Michele is welcoming, friendly and professional talking you through everything that is happening and putting you at ease."
Who you will see
Michele owns and runs Happy Ears. She has more than 20 years of NHS experience and is a certified ear wax removal specialist, trained by Microsuction UK. More about Happy Ears
Ear syringing and irrigation questions
Is there a difference between ear syringing and ear irrigation?
Yes. Both use warm water to flush wax out, but syringing uses a hand-pressed metal syringe, so the pressure can vary. Irrigation uses a machine that controls the pressure, which is much safer.
Is ear syringing safe?
It carries a greater risk of damage, which is why the NHS no longer offers it. Irrigation works on the same principle with controlled pressure. Home syringe kits can be dangerous.
Is irrigation suitable for everyone?
No. It should be avoided with a perforated eardrum, recent ear surgery, an ear infection or grommets. Michele also offers microsuction for those cases.
Does ear irrigation hurt?
It should not. It feels like warm water in the ear, and many patients find it quite pleasant.
Can I fly after ear irrigation?
Yes, flying is not a problem after irrigation. If it is a holiday flight, keep your ears dry for four to five days afterwards, especially from sea water, and use ear plugs if you swim.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. If Michele finds a problem that is not wax, she will tell you and will not go ahead.
How should I prepare?
Olive oil spray twice a day for three to five days, and at least two. Michele does not recommend sodium bicarbonate drops.
How much does it cost?
£35 for one ear and £50 for both, whichever method is used.
Related
Book your appointment
Choose a time in the online diary, or call if you have a question. If Michele is with a patient, leave a message and she will call you back.