If you live in Oxted and need your ears looked at, there's a specialist ear clinic right in the town centre. Hearology® Oxted, at 66–68 Station Road East, offers same-day ear wax removal under a microscope, hearing tests and children's ear care, a couple of minutes' walk from Oxted station.

That's the short answer. The longer one is about knowing what a good clinic looks like, because not every place offering ear care works the same way, and the differences matter more than most people realise.

What does an ear clinic actually do?

An ear clinic deals with the everyday problems that sit between 'I'll put up with it' and a hospital ENT referral. Blocked ears from wax are the most common reason people book. Others come in because their hearing has dulled, their hearing aid keeps whistling, or they've had a muffled, full feeling since a cold that simply won't clear.

A proper clinic will look inside the ear first, explain what it sees and then decide what to do. Sometimes that means removing wax. Sometimes it means a hearing check. Now and then it means telling you, honestly, that you need to see your GP or a hospital specialist instead.

Why are more people in Oxted going private for ear care?

Mostly because the GP route has narrowed. Over the last several years many surgeries in England have stopped offering routine ear wax removal. Patients are usually told to try drops for a week or two and, if that fails, to find a private provider.

For Oxted residents that used to mean a trip to Croydon, Redhill or further. Having a clinic in town changes that. From most parts of Oxted it's a short walk or a five-minute drive, whether you're coming from the roads north of the A25, from Old Oxted on the west side, or in from the Limpsfield end. If you're arriving by train, the clinic is on the east side of Oxted station, barely a couple of minutes from the platform.

What should you check before booking an ear clinic?

A few questions will tell you most of what you need to know:

•     Do they use a microscope? Microsuction without magnification isn't really microsuction. The clinician should be able to see the full depth of the ear canal while they work.

•     Who is doing the procedure? Look for audiologists registered with the HCPC or nurses registered with the NMC, ideally with ENT experience.

•     Is the clinic CQC-registered? It's a simple check on the Care Quality Commission website and it tells you the service is regulated.

•     Are prices clear? You should know the cost before you arrive, and whether it covers one ear or both.

•     What happens if the wax doesn't all come out? Stubborn wax sometimes needs a second visit. A fair clinic won't charge you twice for it.

Hearology® Oxted ticks those boxes. Its microsuction ear wax removal is carried out with a surgical microscope, it costs £80 for both ears, and if a follow-up is needed within two weeks there's no extra charge.

What happens during an appointment?

It's quicker than most people expect. The standard ear wax appointment is about 15 minutes. You'll be asked a few questions about your symptoms and any history of ear surgery or perforations, then the clinician will examine both ears.

If there's wax to remove, a fine suction tube is used under magnification. It's noisy, a bit like a small vacuum close to your ear, but it shouldn't hurt. Most people walk out hearing noticeably better straight away. If the clinician spots something that isn't wax, such as signs of infection, they'll tell you and advise on next steps.

If hearing is the concern rather than blockage, you can book a full hearing test instead. It's worth doing this after any wax has been cleared, because a blocked canal can make results look worse than they really are.

Can children be seen?

Yes. Children get wax build-up too, particularly those who wear earphones a lot or who have narrow ear canals. The clinic runs a separate children's ear cleaning service with a gentler pace and plenty of explanation, which helps nervous youngsters (and their parents).

When is a blocked ear more than just wax?

Most of the time, a blocked ear really is wax. But not always. A muffled ear that came on after a heavy cold is often down to the Eustachian tube, the small channel linking the middle ear to the back of the nose, and it usually settles as the congestion clears. An ear that's sore, swollen or leaking points towards an infection. Sudden loss of hearing in one ear, with no obvious cause, is something to treat as urgent.

This is where a proper examination earns its keep. A clinician looking down a microscope can tell within a minute whether wax is the problem. If it isn't, you've saved yourself a wasted treatment and you'll know where to go next.

How much does it cost, and will insurance cover it?

At Hearology® Oxted, ear wax removal is £80 for both ears. That includes the examination, the removal itself and a free follow-up within two weeks if any wax is left behind. Some private health policies cover audiology services, so it's worth checking with your insurer before you book. There's no charge for simply asking the clinic a question over the phone first.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral to visit an ear clinic?

No. You can book directly. If the clinician finds something that needs medical treatment, they'll advise you to see your GP or refer you on.

Is microsuction safe?

When it's done by a trained clinician using a microscope, it's considered one of the safest ways to remove ear wax. Because no water goes into the ear, it's often suitable for people who can't have irrigation.

Should I use drops before my appointment?

Using olive oil drops for a few days beforehand can soften hard wax and make removal easier, though it isn't always necessary. The clinic will tell you when you book.

Where is the ear clinic in Oxted?

Hearology® Oxted is at 66–68 Station Road East, Oxted RH8 0PJ, in the town centre on the east side of Oxted station.

Ear problems have a way of hanging around because they're not quite bad enough to deal with. If you've been living with a blocked or muffled ear for weeks, it's usually a quarter of an hour's fix, and it's right here in Oxted.