You used to be able to pop to the GP with a blocked ear, get it syringed, and walk out hearing clearly again — free on the NHS. So a lot of people are surprised, and a bit annoyed, when they ring their surgery now and hear, “Sorry, we don’t do that anymore.”
You’re not imagining it, and it’s not just your practice being awkward. Here’s what actually changed, and what to do instead.
Why did they stop?
Two things happened at once.
The safety guidance changed. In June 2018, NICE (which sets clinical standards for the NHS) advised that clinicians should not offer adults manual syringing — the old handheld metal syringe that pushed water into an ear canal the clinician couldn’t fully see. The risks, though uncommon, include ear infections, dizziness and even a perforated eardrum. Once a safer method exists, the old one is hard to justify.
And the funding disappeared. Ear wax removal was never a guaranteed part of the GP contract, and the newer methods need more expensive kit and specialist training that most surgeries don’t have. So rather than invest, many practices quietly stopped offering it altogether.
What replaced it — and why microsuction is better
NICE now recommends two methods, both by trained practitioners: electronic irrigation (a controlled-pressure water machine) and microsuction (gentle suction, no water). Microsuction is widely considered the gold standard and is the method used in most NHS ENT departments.
Here’s why so many clinicians — myself included — prefer it. We can see everything the whole time, working under magnification rather than blind. There’s no water going in, which matters if your ear is irritated or you’ve had problems before. It’s precise, making it ideal for hard or impacted wax and for ears that irrigation isn’t suitable for. And it’s quick — usually 15 to 30 minutes for both ears, with most people hearing clearly the moment it’s done.
Do I have to go private?
In most areas, yes — at least for now. Because wax removal isn’t guaranteed on the NHS, most people book with a private clinic or a registered practitioner who offers microsuction. You don’t need a GP referral. If money’s tight, it’s still worth asking your surgery what’s available locally, as provision varies from place to place.
Please don’t try to sort it yourself
Cotton buds push wax further in — don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear. Ear candles don’t work and carry a real burn risk. Home syringe kits put you in exactly the position NICE moved away from. The one genuinely useful home step is olive oil drops for a few days beforehand, which soften the wax and make a professional appointment easier — though on their own they won’t clear a real blockage.
The bottom line
GPs didn’t stop syringing to make life difficult. The old method carried more risk than newer approaches, and it was never properly funded. What’s replaced it — particularly microsuction — is safer, more precise, and usually gives you an immediate result. The only real change is that it’s now something you book, rather than assume will always be there. And if your ears are blocked and your hearing’s suffering, it’s very much worth doing.
Your ears are in good hands.