Regular Ear Care
Maintenance Programme
Some people produce earwax faster than their ears can clear it. If you find yourself returning for wax removal every few months, a structured maintenance programme gives you priority booking, a discounted rate, and a dedicated care record — so your ears stay clear without the guesswork.
Why Some Ears Need Regular Attention
The ear canal is designed to be self-cleaning. Wax migrates outward naturally — a process called epithelial migration — and in most people it works well enough that wax never builds up to the point of causing symptoms. But around one in twelve adults produces wax faster than this mechanism can clear it. For those people, wax impaction is not a one-off event. It's a recurring condition that responds well to a structured, scheduled approach.
1 in 12 Adults
Approximately 2.3 million people in the UK are affected by earwax impaction each year, according to NICE. For a significant proportion, this recurs regularly.
Wax Regrows Predictably
In people who overproduce wax, the rate of regrowth is consistent. Most patients who need removal every 3–6 months find that pattern repeats reliably each cycle.
Waiting Causes Problems
Wax that is left to accumulate becomes harder and more impacted over time. Dry, impacted wax is more difficult to remove and more likely to cause discomfort during the procedure.
Scheduled Care Works
Patients who attend on a regular schedule before symptoms become severe report shorter procedures, less discomfort, and better outcomes than those who wait until their hearing is significantly affected.
Who Produces Excess Earwax?
Excess wax production is not a sign of poor hygiene. It's driven by anatomy, genetics, age, and lifestyle factors — most of which are entirely outside your control. These are the patient groups who benefit most from a regular maintenance schedule.
Hearing Aid Wearers
Hearing aids block the natural outward migration of wax and create a warm, occluded environment that stimulates wax production. Wax impaction is the leading cause of hearing aid malfunction. A 3-monthly schedule is standard for most hearing aid users.
Adults Over 65
Wax becomes drier and harder with age as the sebaceous glands in the ear canal produce less oil. The epithelial migration mechanism also slows. Dry, hard wax is more likely to become impacted and less likely to clear on its own.
Narrow or Curved Ear Canals
Ear canal anatomy is inherited. Narrow or sharply curved canals physically obstruct the outward movement of wax. People with this anatomy often find that wax builds up regardless of what they do — and regular removal is the only reliable solution.
Eczema or Skin Conditions
Skin conditions affecting the ear canal — including eczema, psoriasis, and seborrhoeic dermatitis — alter the texture and volume of wax produced. Flaky skin debris mixes with wax and creates a denser, more adherent plug.
High-Stress Lifestyles
Stress increases the activity of the apocrine glands in the ear canal, which contribute to wax production. People in high-stress occupations or going through significant life events often notice a marked increase in wax buildup during those periods.
Previous Wax Removal Patients
If you've already had wax removed once and your symptoms have returned within 6 months, that pattern is likely to continue. A maintenance programme removes the uncertainty — you know when your next appointment is before symptoms begin.
What the Programme Includes
Each programme appointment follows the same structured process as a standard wax removal visit — with the addition of a longitudinal care record that tracks your ear health over time.
Ear Health Assessment
Every appointment begins with a full otoscopic examination of both ear canals and eardrums. We check the condition of the canal skin and eardrum before any treatment proceeds.
Wax Removal — Microsuction
Wax is removed using microsuction — the safest, most effective method. We use the technique best suited to your wax type and canal anatomy, which your care record helps us determine over time.
Dedicated Care Record
We maintain a longitudinal record of your ear health across appointments. This allows us to track changes in wax production, canal condition, and eardrum appearance — and to spot anything that warrants a GP referral.
Interval Recommendation
After each appointment we confirm your recommended return interval based on the amount of wax present and how quickly it has built up since your last visit. Intervals are adjusted as your pattern becomes clearer.
Priority Booking
Programme patients receive priority access to the appointment calendar. If your symptoms worsen between scheduled appointments, you can book an unscheduled visit at the programme rate.
Aftercare & Advice
We provide personalised aftercare advice based on your specific wax type, canal anatomy, and lifestyle — including guidance on ear drops, hearing aid cleaning, and what to avoid between appointments.
Recommended Appointment Intervals
The right interval depends on how quickly your wax builds up. These are starting-point recommendations — your actual interval is confirmed and adjusted based on what we find at each appointment.
These intervals are clinical starting points, not fixed rules. After your first two or three appointments, your care record gives us a clear picture of your individual wax production rate — and we adjust your schedule accordingly.
How the Programme Compares
A one-off appointment is the right choice for most patients. For those who need regular care, the programme offers a more structured, cost-effective approach.
Programme Pricing
Programme patients pay a discounted per-visit rate compared to standard one-off appointments. There is no annual membership fee — you simply pay per appointment at the programme rate.
Clinic — Programme Rate
Per appointment (was £60)
Save £5 per visit
- Full ear health assessment
- Microsuction wax removal
- One or both ears
- Dedicated care record updated
- Priority booking access
- Aftercare advice
Standard one-off clinic rate is £60. Programme patients save £5 per visit — £20 per year on a 3-monthly schedule.
Full pricing for all services is on our pricing page. No membership fee. No minimum commitment. Pay per appointment at the programme rate.
Hearing Aid Wearers
Wax impaction is the single most common cause of hearing aid malfunction. Most audiologists and hearing aid manufacturers recommend a 3-monthly ear health check for in-the-ear device wearers. Our maintenance programme is designed with this in mind — and we can coordinate with your audiologist if needed.
How to Join the Programme
There is no formal sign-up process. You can start the programme at any appointment — including your very first visit.
Book Your First Appointment
Book a standard appointment online or by phone. If you've had wax removed before and your symptoms have returned, mention this when booking — it helps us prepare your care record from the outset.
Tell Us Your History
At your appointment, tell us how often your symptoms return and how long it's been since your last removal. This gives us the information we need to recommend the right interval for you.
We Set Up Your Care Record
We create a dedicated care record at your first programme appointment, noting your wax type, canal anatomy, and the amount of wax present. This record is updated at every subsequent visit.
We Book Your Next Appointment
Before you leave, we book your next appointment at the recommended interval. You receive a reminder in advance. If your symptoms return before your scheduled date, call us — programme patients are seen promptly.
Written & Reviewed By
Eleni Kiromitis
Ear Care Specialist — Earwax Removal Devon
Eleni is a qualified ear care practitioner based in South Molton, Devon. She holds a Certificate in Ear Care (Level 6) and is trained in both microsuction and water irrigation. She practises in line with NICE guideline NG207 on earwax management and carries full professional indemnity insurance. All clinical content on this page has been written and reviewed by Eleni to ensure accuracy.
Stop Waiting for Symptoms. Start Staying Clear.
If your ears block up regularly, a maintenance programme removes the guesswork. You know when your next appointment is before your hearing starts to suffer.
Book your first programme appointment online or call us to discuss whether the programme is right for you.