Blocked ear: is it wax, an infection or something else?
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A blocked ear can make conversations harder to follow and leave you wondering whether you need drops, wax removal or treatment for an infection. The feeling alone cannot tell you the cause. An examination helps decide what to do next.
At Puri Pharmacy in Southall and Hillingdon, our ear-health assessment brings together time to discuss your symptoms, HD video otoscopy and a clear explanation of the findings. The service is led by a suitably trained pharmacist who is an independent prescriber.
At a glance
Our private clinic ear-health assessment costs £25. Suitable wax removal costs £65 in total, including the assessment. Eligible children aged 1–17 with suspected middle-ear infection can access a free NHS Pharmacy First consultation. We help you choose the appropriate route before you agree to private care.
Is your blocked ear caused by wax or an infection?
Wax and infection can both cause fullness, discomfort or a change in hearing. Pressure problems can feel similar. Your symptoms and their timing provide clues, but they need to be considered alongside an examination.
| Possible cause | What you might notice | Why the distinction matters |
|---|---|---|
| Earwax build-up | Fullness, muffled hearing or sometimes ringing. | Removal may help when obstructing wax is contributing to symptoms and treatment is suitable. |
| Ear infection or canal inflammation | Pain, itching, discharge or a blocked feeling; sometimes fever. | The appropriate care depends on which part of the ear is affected. Wax removal alone does not treat an infection. |
| Pressure or another hearing problem | Fullness after a cold or flight, or hearing changes with little visible wax. | You may need advice, a hearing test or further assessment rather than wax removal. |
This is a guide to possibilities, not a way to diagnose yourself. The NHS describes overlapping symptoms in its guidance on earwax build-up and hearing loss. Tell us when the problem started, whether one or both ears are affected and what you have already tried.
What happens at a Puri Pharmacy ear-health assessment?
We begin by understanding you
We discuss your symptoms, how they affect you and any previous ear problems. This includes relevant medicines, allergies, ear surgery, grommets or a perforated eardrum. We allow time for your questions and explain what the examination involves before proceeding.
We look inside your ears using HD video otoscopy
An otoscope lets us examine the ear canal and, where visible, the eardrum. HD video provides a magnified view that helps us explain what we can see, including wax or visible signs that need further assessment.
With your consent, we use photos and video to document and explain the findings. When wax removal is carried out, before-and-after images help show the change, where a suitable view can be obtained. If wax or swelling limits the view, we explain that limitation.
We explain the findings and agree a plan
We discuss whether wax removal is appropriate, whether another treatment route may help, or whether you need your GP, a hearing assessment or specialist care. Our prescribing expertise supports decisions about suitable medicines within the pharmacist’s competence; a prescription is only issued when clinically appropriate.
You receive practical advice and guidance on what to do if symptoms persist or change. An ear examination cannot rule out every hearing problem or replace a full hearing test. Understanding those limits is part of good care.
Why does an ear-health check cost £25?
The £25 pays for the clinical assessment: understanding your symptoms, examining your ears, explaining the findings and advising on the appropriate next step. That work is still valuable when there is no wax to remove.
Finding no obstructing wax changes the plan. It can help you avoid pursuing wax removal when another assessment is needed. If an infection makes removal unsuitable, we explain what we have found and how to seek the right care.
Our approach gives you time to be heard, an examination you can understand and advice tailored to your findings. The appointment length depends on your needs; the assessment and discussion are part of the service.
Know the cost before you agree
- Private clinic ear-health assessment: £25. This applies when no wax is found or an infection prevents removal.
- Suitable clinic wax removal: £65 in total. This includes the assessment, removal from one or both ears where appropriate, and aftercare advice. It is not £25 plus £65.
- Other treatment or a further appointment: any separate prescribing, medicine or follow-up charges are explained before you agree.
Read what your £65 earwax appointment includes for more detail.
Arrange an ear-health assessment in Southall or Hillingdon →
Ask Rahul
Rahul Puri | Superintendent Pharmacist & Independent Prescriber
Ear health: assessment, suitable treatment and follow-up
What should I check before booking microsuction?
Ask what the assessment includes, how to prepare and what happens if removal is not appropriate or cannot be completed. Explain previous ear surgery, eardrum problems and any difficulty during earlier treatment. Confirm current charges and follow-up terms.
Can I have a free NHS ear assessment instead?
Pharmacy First for suspected middle-ear infection: ages 1–17
Eligible children and young people aged 1–17 with suspected acute otitis media can have an NHS-funded Pharmacy First consultation with no consultation fee. This includes assessment of the symptoms and an ear examination to guide advice, suitable treatment or referral.
You do not need to pay £25 for a private ear-health check first. Contact us about the Pharmacy First earache service and we will check eligibility and availability. Normal NHS prescription charges apply where relevant unless exempt; over-the-counter purchases are separate. This NHS pathway does not provide routine earwax removal. Read the NHS explanation of Pharmacy First.
Adult outer-ear infection service: coming soon at Puri Pharmacy
Acute otitis externa affects the outer ear canal. An NHS prescribing pathway for eligible adults aged 18 and over is being introduced at participating pharmacies. Puri Pharmacy’s service is coming soon; our branch start dates are not yet confirmed.
Read our NHS pharmacist prescribing update. If you have symptoms now, ask about current care options rather than waiting for the launch.
Private prescribing when appropriate
If your concern falls outside an available NHS pathway, a private prescribing consultation may be suitable. We check the symptoms, prescriber availability and fees first. Some problems need GP or specialist care. NHS eligibility and private fees are explained before you choose a service.
What should you do before your appointment?
Contact us with the patient’s age, the symptoms and when they started. Mention pain, discharge, previous surgery or a perforated eardrum. Bring details of your medicines and any ear treatment already tried.
Do not put cotton buds or tools inside your ear. Softening drops can be helpful for wax, but they are not suitable for everyone: do not use them with a perforated eardrum, and ask for advice if you have pain, discharge or a history of ear surgery. You do not need to diagnose wax yourself before contacting us.
Common questions before an ear-health check
Will the camera show why my hearing has changed?
It can show visible findings in the ear canal and eardrum where the view is clear. It cannot assess every cause of hearing loss. If the findings do not explain your symptoms, we advise on further assessment.
Can I see the images?
We use the images to help explain the examination and, where suitable, the change after wax removal. Ask the clinician to talk you through what is visible and what it means.
What if I pay for an assessment and there is no wax?
The £25 covers the assessment already provided. We explain the findings and next steps instead of proceeding with unnecessary removal. Any additional service and its cost are discussed separately.
What if my ear still feels blocked after wax removal?
Tell us so we can advise on the next step. If hearing has not returned after wax or infection treatment, the NHS advises seeing your GP. Sudden or rapidly worsening hearing loss needs urgent assessment.
Let us help you understand what is happening in your ear
For persistent, non-urgent blocked-ear symptoms, contact Puri Pharmacy to arrange an assessment. Tell us your symptoms and we will confirm the appropriate service, availability and any fee before booking.
Explore our ear-health and wax-removal service · Check the free NHS earache pathway
