Not in the old way. NICE, which writes guidance for the NHS, says adults should not be offered manual ear syringing, where water was pushed into the ear by hand with a large metal syringe. Today, earwax is removed by electronic ear irrigation (water at a controlled pressure), by microsuction (a small vacuum used under a microscope) or with a small instrument. Some GP surgeries still remove earwax, but the NHS says not all of them do. At Denton Pharmacy we use microsuction.
Looking to book? See our ear wax removal clinic in Denton for microsuction appointments, with no referral needed.
Why the metal syringe is no longer used
Manual syringing used a large metal syringe, pressed by hand. NICE’s earwax Clinical Knowledge Summary calls it potentially harmful and now obsolete. The reason is simple: the person doing it cannot control the water pressure, and that raises the risk of damage to the ear.
NICE’s guideline on hearing loss in adults (NG98) is clear: do not offer adults manual syringing to remove earwax. Anyone searching for ear syringing today will be offered one of the methods below instead.
The three methods NICE describes
For adults, NICE says GP surgeries and community ear care services can consider any of these, as long as the person doing it is trained in the method, knows who it is not suitable for, and has the right equipment:
- Electronic ear irrigation. A machine flushes the wax out with water at a controlled pressure. NICE says wax softening drops should be used first, either just before the appointment or for up to 5 days beforehand. If two attempts fail, NICE says to refer the person to a specialist ear care service or an ear, nose and throat (ENT) service.
- Microsuction. The clinician looks into the ear through a microscope and uses a small vacuum to suck the wax out. No water goes into the ear.
- Manual removal. A small probe or scoop is used to lift the wax out. The NHS describes this as scraping the wax out with a very small device.
NICE does not rank one method above another. The NHS says these treatments are usually painless.
Who should not have ear irrigation
Because irrigation puts water into the ear, it is not suitable for everyone. The NICE Clinical Knowledge Summary says not to use it in people with:
- a hole in the eardrum (a perforated eardrum), now or at any time in the past, even if it was repaired
- previous ear surgery
- a middle ear infection in the last 6 weeks
- an infection or inflamed skin in the ear canal
- mucus coming from the ear in the last 12 months
- hearing in only one ear, if that is the ear to be treated
- a problem with irrigation before, such as pain or severe dizziness
- something stuck in the ear
- difficulty sitting still or following instructions, such as young children
Microsuction is not right for everyone either. The same summary says it may not suit people taking blood thinners (anticoagulants) or high-dose steroids, people with a discharging hole in the eardrum, and people who find it hard to keep their head still. It also says a visible hole in the eardrum should be referred to an ENT service. Whichever method you have, tell the clinician about any of these first.
What the NHS offers for earwax
The NHS says earwax usually falls out on its own, and a pharmacist can advise you if it is blocking your ear. If your symptoms have not cleared after 5 days, or your ear is so blocked you cannot hear anything, the NHS says to see a nurse at your GP surgery.
The NHS page says not all GP surgeries remove earwax. Some offer irrigation, microsuction or manual removal. If yours does not, a doctor might be able to refer you to another local NHS service, or you might have to pay for treatment privately.
NICE recommends offering earwax removal to adults when the wax is causing hearing loss or other symptoms, or when it needs to come out so the ear can be examined. So your GP surgery is the place to ask first. If they cannot help locally, a private service is the other option.
How microsuction works at Denton Pharmacy
Our ear wax removal service works like this:
- No referral needed, and same-day appointments are available
- An ear examination and a chat about your symptoms first, taking about 10 minutes
- Microsuction, taking about 15 to 20 minutes, then aftercare advice
- Before your appointment, we ask you to use olive oil drops in the affected ear for 1 week to help soften the wax
Our price list shows an Ear Consultation at £20 (“We look in the ear first. Paid at every appointment”) and Ear Wax Removal (Microsuction) at £20 per ear, “On top of the £20 consultation, so £40 for one ear or £60 for both”.
We are at 14-16 Ashton Road, Denton, M34 3EX, open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm, and closed at weekends. You can book an appointment online or call 0161 336 2548.
When to get medical advice instead
- Severe pain, sudden loss of hearing or dizziness during or after ear irrigation. NICE advises immediate specialist advice, so contact your GP or NHS 111 straight away.
- Fever, ear pain, discharge, swelling or a lot of itching after earwax removal. NICE lists these as possible signs of infection, so contact your GP.
- Symptoms that carry on after the wax has gone. NICE notes that hearing loss is not always caused by wax, and persistent symptoms need checking.
Common questions
Can I still get ear syringing in Manchester?
Not with the old metal syringe, which NICE says adults should not be offered. Some GP surgeries offer electronic irrigation, and we offer microsuction.
Is ear cleaning the same as earwax removal?
People often use the words for the same thing. NICE advises against cleaning your own ears with cotton buds or other small objects, because this can damage the ear canal and eardrum and push wax further in.
Which is better, microsuction or irrigation?
NICE lists both and does not recommend one over the other. Irrigation is ruled out for some people, such as anyone who has had a perforated eardrum.
Can I get earwax removed for free on the NHS in Manchester?
It depends on your GP surgery, as not all of them remove earwax. Ask yours first: they may treat you, refer you to another local NHS service, or say you would need to pay privately.
You may also find our guide on how to get blister packs from a pharmacy useful.
Important health information
This article is general information only. It does not diagnose a condition, recommend a treatment, or replace an individual assessment by a pharmacist, nurse or GP. For a life-threatening emergency, call 999. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, use NHS 111.
Sources
Official guidance checked 5 October 2026:
- NHS: Earwax build-up
- NICE NG98: Hearing loss in adults, recommendations on removing earwax
- NICE CKS: Earwax
- NICE CKS: Earwax, management
Written to NHS and NICE guidance. Published by Denton Pharmacy. Superintendent Pharmacist: Ahmed Al-Liabi (GPhC 2208502).
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Book your consultation with Denton Pharmacy in Denton. Same-day and next-day appointments usually available.