Blocked Ears? Get Safe and Professional Ear Wax Removal in Fulham

Why earwax forms

Cerumen, the medical term, protects delicate skin inside the canal, repels water, and carries dirt outward during chewing movements.

In most people wax works out on its own yet gadgets, narrow canals or hearing aids can slow that journey and the wax hardens.

Signs you may need help

• Hearing feels dull or quieter on one side while the other remains clear
• Ringing or high pitched whistle continues even when the room is silent
• Pressure builds during flights showers or gym sessions making the ear feel blocked
• Sudden earache appears without sore throat or cold symptoms
• Itchy flaky skin collects at the canal entrance despite cleaning
• Hearing aids whistle or switch off because microphones touch compacted wax

Home remedies and limits

Many residents reach for cotton buds yet NHS guidance warns this can push wax deeper and scratch skin that then invites infection.

Medical bodies such as Public Health England recommend softening drops of olive oil twice daily for up to five nights before seeking expert care.

Drops alone may clear mild wax yet they cannot extract large plugs, and syringing is no longer offered in many GP surgeries due to spray injury risks.

Why microsuction leads current guidance

Microsuction uses gentle medical vacuum under direct view through a microscope so the clinician sees every movement.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence lists microsuction as a preferred option because it avoids water, lowers infection chance, and suits people with perforations or grommets.

Fulham Palace Pharmacy service

Our pharmacy on Fulham Palace Road brings that hospital grade standard to the high street.

Clinicians hold training in ear care. Appointments last up to 45 minutes giving time for safety checks, wax removal on one or both ears, and aftercare advice tailored to you.

Transparent pricing

You pay a £10 examination fee that covers otoscopy and hearing screen.

If wax is present and removed the remaining £85 balance is taken, so no one pays for treatment they did not need.

Prepare with olive oil drops

Soft wax lifts away faster and feels more comfortable for you.

Pharmacists therefore ask patients to use warmed olive oil drops morning and night for three to five days ahead of the visit.

People with known perforated drums should call the pharmacy for advice first.

What happens during microsuction

You sit upright while the clinician gently steadies your head and introduces a narrow suction tip under bright light.

Most sessions finish within 10-15 minutes per ear and many patients notice immediate clarity, based on clinic audits reported to Primary Ear Care UK.

A free follow up review can be booked if any sensation of fullness returns within four weeks.

Booking made simple

Choose a slot, enter basic details, and receive email confirmation within seconds.

If you prefer phone booking our team answers during opening hours and can guide on drop usage and any medical history questions.

Serving West London

Patients travel from Kensington, Putney, Hammersmith, Chelsea and Battersea because parking is easy and buses stop outside the door.

Putney Bridge station sits five minutes away on foot and there is step free access.

Local GP surgeries often refer patients who need faster relief than hospital audiology wait lists, supporting integrated care goals set by NHS England.

Benefits of professional care

Professional removal means sterile equipment, regulated cleaning protocols, and full insurance cover.

An experienced clinician can also spot unrelated problems such as infection, eczema or perforation that need medical referral, so the visit doubles as an ear health screen.

Modern microscope cameras capture before and after images, giving reassurance and a record for your GP if needed.

Risks of ignoring blockage

Untreated wax can trap water, leading to swimmer ear infections recorded by the Royal College of General Practitioners as a rising summer presentation.

If you wear hearing aids, extra wax muffles microphones and drains batteries faster because devices work harder to amplify.

Pilots, swimmers, and frequent flyers notice uncomfortable pressure equalisation during ascent or descent that sometimes triggers vertigo.

Aftercare tips

The canal will usually clear minor flakes on its own after treatment so leave at least one week before any further drops unless advised.

Keep ears dry in the shower for twenty four hours and report any bleeding or lasting discomfort.

• Wear ear protection plugs when using power tools or mowing lawns
• Dry ears with a clean towel after swimming rather than hot air
• Schedule a yearly wax check for children who have grommets fitted
• Keep headphone volumes below sixty percent to protect inner ear hair cells
• Apply olive oil monthly if you often use ear plugs at work

Questions we hear most

Is microsuction painful? Most patients describe a tickle not pain because the tip does not touch skin.

Will the wax return? Wax forms naturally yet olive oil once each month can aid clearance in most adults.

Can I drive after? Yes but if dizziness occurs wait fifteen minutes before leaving the pharmacy.

Ready to hear clearly

Book online ✅ visit the pharmacy or call for advice today and enjoy clear sound on your next walk along the Thames.