Most ears clean themselves, so for the majority of people the best home routine is to leave them alone. When wax does build up and causes muffled hearing, earache or a blocked feeling, professional ear cleaning is the safe fix. For Oxted families, including those on the Limpsfield and Hurst Green sides of town, the nearest specialist service is Hearology® Oxted on Station Road East.
Below is what’s worth knowing before you reach for a cotton bud, including what’s safe for children and when it’s time to let a professional take a look.
Do ears really need cleaning?
Usually not. Ear wax isn’t dirt. It’s a natural mix of oils and dead skin that protects the ear canal, traps dust and has mild antibacterial properties. Jaw movement from talking and chewing slowly pushes old wax outwards, where it dries and falls away without you noticing.
Problems start when that process is interrupted. Common culprits include narrow or hairy ear canals, hearing aids and in-ear headphones that block the exit, and, most often, cotton buds pushing wax back down towards the eardrum.
Why shouldn’t you use cotton buds?
Because they tend to make things worse. A bud might pull out a little wax from the entrance, but it packs the rest deeper, where it hardens against the eardrum. It can also scratch the delicate skin of the canal, which is one of the more common routes to an outer ear infection.
Ear candles are no better. There’s no good evidence they remove wax, and they carry a real risk of burns. If you want to help things along at home, a couple of drops of olive oil in each ear, a few nights running, is the gentle and widely recommended option.
What are the signs you need professional ear cleaning?
It’s worth booking an appointment if you notice any of these for more than a few days:
- Hearing that sounds dull or muffled in one or both ears
- A full, blocked or pressured feeling
- Ringing or buzzing (tinnitus) that’s new
- Mild earache or itching
- A hearing aid that whistles more than usual or seems quieter
- Dizziness alongside any of the above
Sudden hearing loss, severe pain, discharge or bleeding are different. Those need your GP or NHS 111 promptly rather than a wax appointment.
Is ear cleaning safe for children?
Yes, when it’s done properly. Children’s ear canals are smaller and more sensitive, so the pace matters as much as the technique. Hearology® Oxted offers a dedicated children’s ear cleaning service where the clinician explains each step, shows the equipment first and stops whenever a child needs a moment.
Oxted parents often tell us that the hardest part is the build-up to the appointment, not the appointment itself. Telling your child it will sound like a tiny hoover, but won’t hurt, tends to go a long way.
How does ear cleaning at a clinic work?
At a specialist ear clinic the clinician examines the ear under magnification before doing anything. If wax is the problem, it’s removed with microsuction: a fine, gentle suction tube guided by a surgical microscope. There’s no water involved, which makes it suitable for people with a history of perforated eardrums or grommets, and for anyone who simply doesn’t like the idea of irrigation.
The whole appointment takes about 15 minutes. Most people notice the difference as soon as they sit up.
Where can you get ear cleaning in Oxted?
Hearology® Oxted is at 66–68 Station Road East, in the centre of Oxted and a couple of minutes’ walk from the station. If you live on the east side of town towards Limpsfield, it’s a short walk or a quick drive along the A25. From the south of Oxted and the Hurst Green end, it’s around five minutes by car, or one stop on the train.
Why do some people make more ear wax than others?
It’s partly genetic and partly down to the shape of your ears. Some people naturally produce more wax, or a drier, flakier type that doesn’t clear as easily. Narrow or curved ear canals give wax fewer ways out. Age plays a part too: wax tends to get drier and harder as we get older, which is why grandparents often need help more than grandchildren do.
None of this means anything is wrong. It just means some ears need a little more maintenance than others.
What about swimmers and earphone users?
Both groups tend to run into trouble more often. Water can make wax swell, so a partial blockage becomes a full one after a trip to the pool. Keen swimmers at the local leisure centre sometimes notice this after a lesson or a busy half-term week. In-ear headphones and earbuds, meanwhile, act like a cork, stopping wax from moving outwards and pushing some of it back in.
If you or your children fall into either camp, drying the outer ear gently after swimming and giving your ears regular breaks from earbuds both help.
What happens after ear cleaning?
Usually nothing at all, apart from hearing more clearly. Sounds can seem surprisingly loud for the first hour or so, including your own voice. Keep water out of your ears for a day or two and avoid putting anything in them. If wax tends to come back quickly, the clinician may suggest using olive oil drops once or twice a week to keep things moving.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I have my ears professionally cleaned?
Only when you need to. Some people go years without a problem; others, especially hearing aid users, find a check every six to twelve months keeps things clear.
Does ear cleaning hurt?
It shouldn’t. Microsuction is noisy and can feel slightly cold, but it isn’t painful. Tell the clinician straight away if anything feels uncomfortable.
Can I clean my child’s ears at home?
Wipe the outer ear with a damp flannel and leave the canal alone. If your child seems to have a blockage, have it checked rather than trying to remove it yourself.
Where can I get ear cleaning in Oxted?
Hearology® Oxted, at 66–68 Station Road East, offers professional ear cleaning by microsuction for adults and children, Monday to Friday.
The simplest rule is this: if you can see wax at the entrance, wipe it away. If you can’t, and your ear still feels blocked, let someone with a microscope have a look.
