For most people it does not. Microsuction uses gentle suction under magnification, so nothing is pushed into the ear and no water is involved. You will hear the suction, which sounds louder than it feels, and each ear usually takes a few minutes. If anything is uncomfortable at any point, say so and we stop.

£50 for both ears and £35 for one, for a 20-minute appointment. That covers looking inside both ears and removing the wax where it is safe to do so. There is no separate examination fee and no booking fee. You pay at the pharmacy on the day. If you book both ears and only one needs treating, you pay £35.

Twenty minutes. The examination takes a few minutes at the start, removal itself is usually five to fifteen minutes depending on how hard the wax is, and we look again at the end to confirm the canal is clear. You will not be in and out in five minutes, and you will not be there an hour.

It helps. Olive oil drops twice a day for three to five days soften the wax and make it easier to remove, which often means clearing both ears in one visit. If you have not used drops, still come. We will tell you if a second appointment is needed.

We will tell you. Sometimes the symptoms come from something other than wax, and removing wax that is not there is not a treatment. We will explain what we can see in the ear canal and whether you should see your GP.

Often yes, and it is one of the main reasons microsuction is used. No water goes into the ear canal, which is what makes water-based methods unsuitable if the eardrum is not intact. It still depends on your own history, so tell us before we start.

In many areas it is no longer offered in general practice, and provision varies from one part of the country to another. It is worth asking your surgery first. If they cannot help, this is a private service you can book directly with us.

Yes. A small number of people feel briefly light-headed straight after, so sit for a few minutes before setting off. Most people notice the difference in their hearing immediately and leave without any after-effects.

Only when you have symptoms. Ears clean themselves, and routine removal is not necessary or advisable. People who wear hearing aids or in-ear headphones tend to build up wax faster and may need it two or three times a year.

No. Cotton buds push wax further down the canal and compact it against the eardrum, which is a common reason people end up needing microsuction in the first place. Ear candles are also ineffective and can cause burns.

If your hearing dropped suddenly, or you have discharge, bleeding, severe pain, or a foreign object in the ear, contact your GP or NHS 111 rather than booking wax removal. Those are signs of something other than wax build-up.

We’re at 94 Chessington Road, Ewell, Epsom, KT19 9UR, with step-free access from the pavement. There’s no parking outside, but there’s a car park at Ewell West station on Station Approach, and the Meadowview Road bus stop is right outside. We’re open until 6:30pm on weekdays and 4pm on Saturdays, and you can call us on 020 8393 1000.