Your Questions, Answered

  • Earwax (cerumen) is a natural substance made from oil and sweat gland secretions, dead skin cells, and tiny particles like dust. It plays an essential role in keeping the ear canal healthy.

    What is earwax made of?

    • Secretions from sebaceous (oil) and ceruminous (sweat) glands

    • Dead skin cells

    • Dust and other small particles that enter the ear

    Why do we have it?

    • Protection: Traps dirt, dust, and germs before they reach the eardrum

    • Antibacterial/antifungal: Its acidity helps prevent infections

    • Moisturising: Stops the ear canal from becoming dry or itchy

    • Self‑cleaning: Moves outward naturally with jaw movements, carrying debris with it

    Earwax isn’t dirty — it’s a sign of a healthy, self‑cleaning ear. It protects, moisturises, and keeps the ear canal functioning as it should.

  • Excess earwax buildup usually happens when wax can’t leave the ear naturally. This is most often due to overproduction, narrow or hairy ear canals, device use, or wax being pushed deeper by cleaning attempts. It’s rarely caused by an underlying medical condition.

    Common causes of earwax buildup:

    • Cleaning habits: Cotton buds, hairpins, and similar objects push wax deeper, causing blockage.

    • Ear devices: Hearing aids, earbuds, and headphones trap wax and prevent natural movement.

    • Anatomy: Narrow, curved, or very hairy ear canals make wax removal harder.

    • Age‑related changes: Wax becomes drier and harder with age, making natural migration less effective.

    • Overproduction & skin conditions: Some people simply produce more wax; eczema and infections can add extra debris.

    • Environment: Dusty settings or very cold weather can increase wax production or dryness.

  • Excess earwax (impaction) can cause a feeling of fullness or blockage, earache, reduced or muffled hearing (conductive hearing loss), and ringing or buzzing (tinnitus). Other symptoms may include dizziness or vertigo, itching, coughing, and occasionally discharge or an odour.

    Related terms

    • Earwax build‑up/blockage: General accumulation of wax

    • Impacted cerumen: Hardened or trapped wax causing symptoms

    • Conductive hearing loss: Hearing reduced by physical blockage

    • Tinnitus: Ringing, buzzing, or humming sounds

    • Vertigo: A spinning or off‑balance sensation

    • Otalgia: Earache

    Common ways people describe symptoms

    • “My ear feels blocked or full.”

    • “Everything sounds muffled.”

    • “I have ringing or buzzing.”

    • “I’m getting sharp or dull ear pain.”

    • “I feel dizzy or light‑headed.”

    • “My ear is really itchy.”

    When to seek medical attention

    Severe or persistent pain, fever, or any discharge from the ear may indicate infection and should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

  • I provide professional home‑visit earwax removal using gentle ear irrigation, sometimes combined with specialist manual instrumentation techniques. Every appointment begins with a full ear health assessment.

    If you choose to proceed with treatment, I will safely remove any excess wax and provide personalised after‑care advice to help keep your ears comfortable and healthy. If I am unable to remove all earwax at the first appointment, one free return visit will be offered.

    If needed, and with your permission, I can also arrange an appropriate onward referral to your registered GP.

    I also provide a ‘no-obligation’ recall service for clients who may benefit from regular assessment and ongoing treatment at six‑month intervals.

  • I visit locations in and around King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, including the Breckland areas and the coastal communities. I’m also happy to come to care homes, day centres, and even workplaces — wherever you feel most comfortable receiving your ear care.

    Please always get in touch if you are not sure if I cover your area.

  • I believe in honest, upfront pricing so you always know what to expect. A home‑visit consultation and assessment with no treatment (including when no wax is found) is £20.

    A full earwax removal appointment (one or both ears) is £55, covering the home visit, assessment, treatment, and after‑care advice — there are never any hidden extra charges. If your wax is severely impacted and a return visit is needed, one additional visit is provided free of charge.

  • What makes me different is the level of clinical experience and personal care I bring to every appointment. With nearly two decades of nursing experience across primary, secondary, community, and general practice settings, I provide ear care that is not only safe and evidence‑based, but genuinely reassuring. You’re treated by a fully qualified nurse who takes the time to listen, explain, and tailor your care to your individual needs.

  • Getting started is simple. You can reach out through the contact form or give me a call — I’ll guide you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

    Once your appointment is scheduled, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing a consent form. This can be completed online or in person before any examination or treatment takes place. The form also includes my privacy policy and key terms and conditions, so you know exactly what to expect.

    To ensure the safest and most comfortable experience, I usually recommend using olive oil drops or spray for 5–7 days before your irrigation appointment. This helps soften the wax and is a common prerequisite for safe and effective treatment.

    Appointments are available on weekdays, evenings, and weekends between 09:00 and 18:00.

    Please note: I am not an emergency service. I’m always happy to discuss urgent requirements, but due to the nature of the ear irrigation process, immediate or same‑day appointments are not always possible. I will, however, do my best to offer you the earliest suitable appointment.

  • You can reach me anytime via the contact page by email, telephone, or text. I aim to respond promptly — usually within one business day. If I’m unable to answer your call, please do leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.