03/01/2026
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj4qlldy5q5o
Did you know that ear wax removal is completely unregulated here in Northern Ireland? And since GPs have largely stopped offering this service you might have noticed clinics seem to be popping up all over the place. Which is no bad thing, choice is good, and demand is high, if you're having issues of course you want to be seen as quickly as possible. But an unregulated service CAN be an unsafe service. Unregulated means anyone without ever having even looked in an ear before, or hold any other related qualifications can attend a 2 day unaccredited course, and call themselves an Earwax Practioner, Earwax removal expert, Earwax Removal Consultant even, and advertise their services. The problem is that you, the client, generally has no idea that so little training has been completed before these "experts" are unleashed on your ears. And when it goes wrong it is not pretty, believe me.
Wax removal is not easy, ear canals can be very small and bendy, and wax can be very hard and compacted, and also hide a multitude of issues. Overall it's a very safe procedure, when your practitioner is properly qualified. Can you be confident your practitioner can easily spot an eardrum perforation (and not cause one!) , a potential cholestatoma, a mastoid cavity, otitis media, keratosis obturans, and will remain within their scope of practice? Can you be confident they know when wax removal is contraindicated and when it is unsafe to proceed, and that they will point you in the right direction when you need a medical opinion?
Never, ever be afraid to ask your practitioner what their credentials are. Who or what body has their training been accredited by? What is their background? What experience do they have? Are they fully insured? The British Academy of Audiology and other bodies are fighting hard for regulation of this profession and recommend that practitioners are qualified nurses or audiologists.
If you have any further questions please dont be afraid to ask me, but more importantly, the person whose chair you're sitting in, I promise they won't mind, and will be happy to set your mind at rest.
C x
