# North London Ear Care > Private ear wax removal and microsuction in North London. Canonical website: https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/ Language: British English (en-GB) Area served: Belsize Park, South Hampstead, Kilburn, West Hampstead, Swiss Cottage, St John's Wood, Hampstead, Camden, Brent, North London — London, United Kingdom Content last reviewed: 2026-08-29 Website last updated: 2026-09-27 ## Service summary Private ear wax removal by microsuction in North London. Both ears are examined first, findings are explained, and wax is removed only when it is present and removal is appropriate. Microsuction uses a fine suction tube while the ear canal is viewed directly under magnification. It does not flush the ear with water. No GP referral is required. This is not an emergency service and it is not a diagnostic hearing-loss service. ## Location North London Ear Care at Belsize Priory Pharmacy Unit 2, 134–143 Belsize Road, London NW6 4BR, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 20 3007 0117 Host pharmacy GPhC premises registration: 9013113 (verifiable on the General Pharmaceutical Council register at https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/registers/pharmacy/9013113) Nearest stations: Kilburn High Road, Kilburn Park and South Hampstead stations ## Booking Current booking and contact options are available on the homepage: https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/#book-online ## Frequently asked questions ### What is ear microsuction? Microsuction is a method of earwax removal that uses a fine suction tube to lift wax and debris out of the ear canal while the clinician views the canal directly under magnification. No water is flushed into the ear, which is why it is often used when irrigation is unsuitable. At North London Ear Care on Belsize Road, both ears are examined first and microsuction only goes ahead when wax is present and removal is clinically appropriate. ### Do I need a GP referral for ear wax removal? No. North London Ear Care is a private service, so you can arrange an ear assessment directly using the current booking or contact options on the website, without a GP referral or a letter and without being registered at a particular GP practice. ### Can I get earwax removal on the NHS instead? It depends where you live. NICE guidance says earwax removal should be available in primary or community care, but NHS commissioning of the service varies between areas in England and many GP practices no longer offer it. It is worth asking your own GP practice or local pharmacy what is available to you before booking privately. ### Does ear microsuction hurt? Microsuction is usually quick and well tolerated. The suction sounds loud while it is working, and hard or impacted wax can feel uncomfortable as it is lifted away, but it should not be painful. You can ask the clinician to pause or stop at any point. ### Should I use ear drops before my appointment? Softening the wax beforehand often makes removal quicker and more comfortable, and preparation advice is provided when you book. Do not use drops without asking a healthcare professional first if you have a known or suspected perforated eardrum, have had ear surgery, have grommets fitted, or currently have ear pain or discharge. ### Will both ears be checked, or only the blocked one? Both ears are examined at every North London Ear Care appointment, even when only one ear feels blocked. Comparing the two gives useful context and often finds wax in an ear that has not yet caused symptoms. The clinician explains what is visible in each ear and whether removal is suitable. ### What happens if there is no wax, or wax is not the problem? No wax means no wax-removal procedure. Not every change in hearing is caused by earwax, so if your ears are clear or removal is not appropriate, the clinician explains what the examination showed and points you towards the right next assessment instead of treating you unnecessarily. ### Is microsuction safe if I have a perforated eardrum or grommets? Tell the clinician before the examination if you have a perforated eardrum, grommets, a history of ear surgery, or current pain or discharge, because these change what is safe and appropriate. Microsuction is a dry technique that puts no water into the ear, which is one reason it is often preferred over irrigation where a perforation is known or suspected. ### Where is North London Ear Care, and how do I get there? North London Ear Care runs by appointment from Belsize Priory Pharmacy at Unit 2, 134–143 Belsize Road, London NW6 4BR. It is within walking distance of Kilburn High Road, Kilburn Park and South Hampstead stations, and sees patients from across Belsize Park, South Hampstead, Kilburn, West Hampstead, Swiss Cottage and nearby North London areas. The host pharmacy telephone number is 020 3007 0117. ### Is microsuction better than ear syringing or irrigation? They are different techniques rather than one being universally better. Microsuction removes wax with suction under direct vision and puts no water into the ear; irrigation flushes the canal with a controlled flow of warm water. Microsuction is generally preferred where the eardrum may be perforated, where there has been ear surgery, or where irrigation has not worked before. Suitability is decided ear by ear at the appointment. ### What should I do after my ears have been cleared? Keep the ear canal dry for the rest of the day, avoid putting cotton buds or other objects into the ear, and expect sounds to seem sharp for a short while as your hearing adjusts. You leave the appointment with aftercare advice, and with prevention advice tailored to your ears if you get build-up repeatedly. ## Clinical information guides - Earwax build-up: symptoms, causes and safe next steps https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/guides/earwax-build-up.html - What happens at an ear microsuction appointment? https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/guides/microsuction-appointment.html - Microsuction vs ear irrigation: what is the difference? https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/guides/microsuction-vs-ear-irrigation.html - Earwax and hearing aids: blockage, whistling and ear checks https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/guides/earwax-and-hearing-aids.html - Can earwax cause tinnitus or dizziness? https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/guides/earwax-tinnitus-and-dizziness.html - Sudden hearing loss: when to get urgent help https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/guides/sudden-hearing-loss-and-red-flags.html ## About and editorial standards Service identity, location, scope and clinical-information standards: https://northlondonearcare.vercel.app/about.html ## Safety Sudden hearing loss, hearing that worsens over days or weeks, or hearing loss with earache or discharge may need urgent medical assessment. Patients should seek an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 rather than assuming earwax is the cause. ## Primary external sources used - NHS: Earwax build-up — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/earwax-build-up/ - NHS: Hearing loss — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/ - NHS: Tinnitus — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tinnitus/ - NICE guideline NG98: Hearing loss in adults — https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng98 - NICE guideline NG155: Tinnitus assessment and management — https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng155 - NICE quality standard QS185: Earwax removal — https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs185/chapter/quality-statement-1-earwax-removal ## Attribution Website publisher: North London Ear Care The clinical information on this website supports, but does not replace, individual assessment or medical advice.