Chelsea · SW3
If your ear feels blocked, sounds are muffled or a hearing aid is no longer sitting properly, wax may be the cause. Drummond Hearing offers private microsuction a short journey from Chelsea and the King's Road, with direct vision throughout the procedure.
The appointment is usually around 30 minutes. We check both ears first, explain what we can see and only remove wax when it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Usually around 30 minutes · Video otoscopy before and after · No GP referral needed
A dry, direct approach
Microsuction removes wax with a fine suction probe while the ear canal is viewed directly. It is a controlled, dry procedure: no water is pushed into the ear and no instrument is used without the clinician being able to see where it is.
At Drummond Hearing, video otoscopy is used before treatment to check whether wax is actually the cause of the blockage and after treatment to confirm the canal is clear. You can see the images on screen and ask questions as we go.
The aim is not to remove wax at any cost. If the examination suggests infection, a perforation, significant inflammation or another issue that should be assessed medically, we will explain that and recommend the safest next step.
The appointment
We talk through the blocked feeling, pain, hearing change, previous ear problems and any relevant medical history.
Both ears are examined with video otoscopy. We show you what we can see and decide whether removal is appropriate.
Wax is loosened and removed carefully with microsuction, with pauses whenever you need them. Both ears can normally be treated in the same visit.
The canals and eardrums are checked again. We explain what was found, what to expect over the next day or two and whether a hearing test would be useful.
A sensible clinical decision
Ear wax is normal and protective. It only needs removing when it is causing symptoms, blocking an examination or interfering with a hearing aid. Trying to create a completely wax-free ear can irritate the canal and encourage more problems.
Severe pain, discharge, bleeding, marked dizziness, a sudden hearing loss or a history of ear surgery needs careful assessment. Wax can sometimes be blamed for symptoms that have another cause. If your hearing is still reduced after the canal is clear, a full hearing assessment can separate ear-canal blockage from middle-ear or inner-ear hearing loss.
See what happens at a hearing testWhere to find us
Choose whichever clinic is easiest for you. Both are private clinical settings with the same one-to-one care.
164–178 Cromwell Road, London SW5 0TU
Convenient for Kensington, Chelsea, South Kensington, Earl’s Court and Knightsbridge.
Open in Google Maps1 Blythe Road, London W14 0HG
Convenient for Brook Green, Hammersmith, Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush and Holland Park.
Open in Google MapsThe Bupa Cromwell Hospital on Cromwell Road is particularly convenient for Chelsea patients. It sits just north of the Fulham Road at the SW5 end of the borough and is easy to reach from Sloane Square, the King's Road, Chelsea Harbour and Brompton. If the Blythe Road clinic is easier, the same service is also available in West London.
We welcome patients from Chelsea, Sloane Square, Brompton, Fulham, Knightsbridge, Chelsea Harbour, and surrounding areas.
Tube
Earl's Court and South Kensington are the nearest stations. Sloane Square is a direct District line ride away.
Bus
The 11, 22, 74, 328 and 430 serve the Cromwell Road and Old Brompton Road corridor from across Chelsea.
By car
Typically 8–15 minutes from the King's Road. On-site paid parking at the hospital plus metered bays on Cromwell Road.
Nearby
Patients travel from Chelsea, Sloane Square, Brompton, Fulham, Knightsbridge and Chelsea Harbour.
A careful ear examination and microsuction appointment with video otoscopy before and after. £120 for ear wax removal, with no referral required.
Not sure whether you need wax removal or a hearing test? Contact the clinic or call 020 7139 5186.
