Mobile microsuction earwax removal

Clearer hearing, without leaving the chair you’re comfortable in.

Hartlane Earcare brings clinic-standard earwax removal to care homes, salons and community settings. Our clinicians use microsuction: a gentle, dry method that clears blocked ears in a single visit.

Book an appointment Read the FAQ

A clinician wearing magnifying loupes gently removes earwax from a smiling client's ear using microsuction

Registered nurse ledNMC-registered clinical lead

Enhanced DBS checkedEvery member of the team

Fully insuredMedical malpractice and liability

Single-use tipsNew for every client

No water usedDry, gentle microsuction

About earwax

Earwax is healthy, until it isn’t.

Earwax (cerumen) protects and cleans the ear canal, and most of the time it works its way out on its own. For some people it builds up and hardens, especially older adults, hearing aid users, and anyone who uses earbuds or cotton buds.

A build-up can cause muffled hearing, a blocked or full feeling, earache, itching, ringing (tinnitus) or dizziness. In care settings it often goes unnoticed and can be mistaken for worsening hearing or confusion. It can also stop hearing aids working properly.

Many GP practices no longer offer routine earwax removal, which leaves people waiting or paying to travel to a clinic. We bring the clinic to them.

What is microsuction?

A gentle, dry method, done under magnification.

The clinician looks into the ear through magnifying loupes or a microscope with a bright light, and uses a fine, low-pressure suction tip to lift the wax away. No water goes into the ear.

A clinician examines a client's ear with a video otoscope, with the ear canal shown on a screen

Consultation
We ask about your ear health, symptoms, medication and any history of ear surgery or perforation, and confirm consent.
Examination
We look into both ears with an otoscope to check the wax and the condition of the ear canal and eardrum.
Microsuction
Under magnification, the wax is gently removed. You’ll hear a soft whooshing sound. Most appointments take 20 to 30 minutes.
Aftercare
We re-check the ears, explain what we found, give aftercare advice, and refer on if anything needs a GP or audiologist.

Method	How it works	Good to know
Microsuction	Low-pressure suction under direct magnified view	Dry, quick, and the clinician can see the ear throughout
Ear irrigation	Controlled water flow washes wax out	Not suitable after ear surgery or with a perforated eardrum
Ear drops alone	Olive oil or sodium bicarbonate softens wax	Works for some mild cases; can take weeks

Where we visit

We come to you.

A nurse and a care home resident laughing together in armchairs

Care homes

Regular clinic days on site. Residents, or their families, book through the home, and we see everyone in their own room or a quiet space.

For care home managers

A calm, light treatment room with a reclining salon chair

Salons

Ear care alongside hair and beauty appointments. Partner salons host clinic sessions their clients can book in advance.

For salon owners

An older man with a walking stick chatting with a carer

Community settings

Sheltered housing, day centres and workplaces can arrange a session for a group. Get in touch to discuss your setting.

See group rates

What people say

From our partner homes

Add real quotes here after your first clinic days, with the person’s permission.

“[Quote from a care home manager about the clinic day.]”

[Name], [Role], [Care home]

Run a care home?

Your first clinic day is free. See how it works for your residents.

Book a free trial day I’m booking for family

About Hartlane Earcare

Good ear care, brought to where people are.

We started Hartlane Earcare because getting earwax removed has become harder than it should be, especially for people who can’t easily get to a clinic.

A nurse visiting an older woman at home, both smiling

Why we exist

For many older adults, a simple wax blockage can mean months of muffled hearing, hearing aids that whistle or stop working, and conversations that slip away. Travelling to a private clinic isn’t realistic for everyone, and routine removal is no longer offered at many GP surgeries.

Hartlane Earcare is a mobile service. We bring professional microsuction equipment to care homes, salons and community spaces, so people can be seen somewhere familiar, at a time that suits them.

We are part of Hartlane Group, a London-based company that delivers practical services and partnerships with care providers and the public sector.

How we work

A clinician talks through notes on a clipboard with an older woman

Clinically led

Our service is led by a registered nurse. Every clinician is trained in microsuction and follows clear clinical protocols.

Safe and hygienic

Single-use suction tips and specula, cleaned equipment between every client, and a full record of each appointment.

Partnership with homes

Care homes host regular clinic days and hold the booking list, so residents and families can book with staff they know.

Joined-up care

If we spot an infection, a perforation or anything else that needs attention, we stop and refer on to the GP or audiology.

Our safety and standards Meet our clinicians Join our team

Working with us

If you run a care home, a salon or a community setting and want to offer earwax removal to the people you look after, we’d like to hear from you.

Talk to us about a partnership

A carer and an older man share a laugh over cups of tea

Frequently asked questions

Questions people usually ask

If your question isn’t here, contact us and we’ll answer it.

The treatment

Does microsuction hurt?

Most people find it comfortable. You’ll hear a whooshing or crackling sound and may feel a slight cool sensation. A few people feel briefly dizzy; we pause whenever you need to.

How long does an appointment take?

Usually 20 to 30 minutes for both ears, including the consultation and the check afterwards.

Is microsuction safe?

Microsuction is widely used and is considered a safe way to remove earwax when carried out by a trained clinician. Because the clinician can see inside the ear throughout and no water is used, it suits many people who can’t have irrigation.

As with any procedure there are small risks, such as temporary dizziness, mild irritation or ringing. We explain these before we start.

Will all the wax come out in one visit?

In most cases, yes. Very hard or impacted wax can occasionally need softening with drops and a second short visit. We’ll tell you on the day.

Before your appointment

Should I use ear drops beforehand?

Using olive oil drops for 3 to 5 days beforehand can soften the wax and make removal quicker. It isn’t essential for microsuction. Don’t use drops if you have a perforated eardrum or an ear infection.

Can I come if I wear hearing aids?

Yes. Hearing aid users are some of the people who benefit most, because aids can push wax deeper and wax can block the aid. Bring your aids along; we can check them for wax too.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t have microsuction?

Tell us if you’ve had ear surgery, have a perforated eardrum, a current ear infection, or sudden hearing loss or pain. Some of these mean we’ll refer you to a GP or ENT specialist rather than treat on the day.

Care homes and families

How do residents book?

Each partner care home keeps a booking list for our clinic days. Residents, staff or family members can add a name through the home, and we see everyone on the list during our visit.

What about residents who can’t give consent themselves?

We follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Where a resident lacks capacity to consent, we work with the care home and, where appropriate, family members or a lasting power of attorney to make a best-interests decision.

Can a family member be there?

Yes. Family members are welcome to sit in, and many find it reassuring.

How often should someone have their ears checked?

It varies. Some people never need wax removed; others build up wax every 6 to 12 months. We’ll suggest when a re-check makes sense.

After your appointment

How can I stop wax building up again?

Avoid cotton buds and anything else in the ear canal, as they push wax deeper. Some people benefit from a few olive oil drops once a week. We’ll give advice for your own ears.

How much does it cost?

See our prices page. Every appointment includes a consultation and examination, and you won’t pay for microsuction if we decide on the day it isn’t needed.

What if something is found that you can’t treat?

We’ll explain what we’ve seen and give you, or the care home, a written note to take to the GP or audiology service.

Contact us

Book a visit or ask a question

We cover London and surrounding areas. Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within one working day.

Phone: [Phone number]
Email: [Email address]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Area: London and surrounding areas

If you have sudden hearing loss, severe ear pain, bleeding or discharge from the ear, contact your GP or call NHS 111 rather than booking with us.

For care homes and salons

Choose “Partnership enquiry” in the form and tell us about your setting and roughly how many people you look after. We’ll arrange a call.

For care homes

Regular ear care for your residents, at no cost to the home

We run on-site microsuction clinic days at your home. You hold the booking list, we bring the clinician and equipment, and the home earns a commission on every appointment.

Book a free trial clinic day Request the information pack

How a clinic day works

Five steps, with very little for your staff to do

Agree a date
We agree a regular clinic day with you, usually every 4 to 8 weeks depending on demand.
Residents book
The home keeps the booking list. Residents, staff or families add names, and we confirm the list two days before.
Consent checked
We confirm consent with each resident. Where someone lacks capacity, we follow the Mental Capacity Act with your team.
We see residents
Our clinician sees each resident in their room or a quiet space. Each appointment takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Written summary
Before we leave, the home gets a summary for every resident seen, including any GP or audiology referrals.

What the home gets

A service that pays for itself

No cost to the home

No equipment, no set-up fee and no minimum number of bookings. Residents or their families pay per appointment.

Commission on every appointment

The home receives [XX%] of every appointment fee, paid [monthly] with a statement.

Better resident wellbeing

Clearing wax can improve hearing, help hearing aids work properly and make conversations easier.

Records for your files

A clinical record and summary for every resident, ready for care plans and your CQC inspections.

What your staff do

Keep the list, point us to the room

On the day, we need a named contact, access to residents’ rooms or a quiet space with a chair and a power socket, and the booking list. That’s it. We handle consent forms, clinical notes, payment and follow-up.

We’re happy to give a short talk to staff about spotting the signs of earwax build-up, so residents who need us are booked in.

See our safety and clinical standards

For salons

Add ear care to your menu, without buying a thing

Host regular Hartlane Earcare clinic sessions in your salon. Your clients get a service they can’t easily find elsewhere, and you earn on every appointment.

Become a salon partner

Why salons partner with us

Extra income

You earn [XX%] of every appointment booked through your salon, with no equipment or staff training costs.

More visits

Clinic sessions bring clients in on quieter days, and many book a hair or beauty appointment at the same time.

We handle the clinical side

Our clinician brings everything, takes consent, keeps the records and carries the insurance.

What you’ll need

A treatment room or quiet corner with a reclining or upright chair, a power socket and good lighting. Sessions usually run for half a day, every 4 to 6 weeks, and you take bookings through your usual system or ours.

For families

Noticed Mum or Dad isn’t hearing as well?

Earwax build-up is common in older people and easy to miss. If your relative lives in a care home, we can see them there, and you’re welcome to be with them.

Book for a family member Ask us to visit their home

Signs to look for

It often looks like something else

Turning the TV up, missing parts of conversations, a hearing aid that whistles or seems to have stopped working, rubbing or scratching at an ear, or seeming more withdrawn or confused than usual. Wax isn’t always the cause, but it’s quick to check and often easy to fix.

How to book

Their home already works with us

Ask the staff to add your relative to the list for our next clinic day, or contact us and we’ll arrange it with the home.

Their home doesn’t work with us yet

Tell us the home’s name and we’ll contact the manager. Many homes start working with us because a family asked.

Consent and capacity

We’ll explain the treatment to your relative. If they can’t consent themselves, we follow the Mental Capacity Act with the home and, where appropriate, you or their attorney.

Prices

Clear prices, no surprises

Every appointment includes a consultation, examination of both ears, microsuction where needed, and aftercare advice.

Most booked

Both ears

[£XX]

Consultation, examination and microsuction on both ears.

One ear

[£XX]

Consultation, examination of both ears and microsuction on one.

Check only

[£XX]

Examination of both ears. If no wax needs removing, this is all you pay.

Follow-up visit

[£XX]

For very hard wax that needs softening and a second short visit within 14 days.

Who pays

In care homes, the resident or their family pays us directly, by card on the day or by payment link afterwards. The home is never invoiced for appointments.

Group and workplace sessions

For sheltered housing, day centres and workplaces, we offer group rates from [£XX] per person for [10] or more bookings. Ask for a quote.

Prices are shown for guidance and will be confirmed before your appointment. We won’t charge for microsuction if we decide on the day that it isn’t safe or needed.

Book an appointment

Safety and standards

Why care homes and families trust us

We’re going into people’s homes and treating some of the most vulnerable people in our community. These are the standards we hold ourselves to.

Registered nurse

Our service is led by a nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You can check their registration on the NMC website using PIN [XXXXXXX].

Microsuction trained

Every clinician has completed accredited microsuction training with [training provider] and keeps their skills up to date.

Enhanced DBS checks

Every member of our team has an enhanced DBS check, renewed every [3] years.

Fully insured

We hold medical malpractice, professional indemnity and public liability insurance with [insurer].

Regulation

[CQC registration status. Take advice on whether your service needs to register, then update this.]

Infection control

Single-use suction tips and specula, equipment cleaned between every client, and hand hygiene in line with NHS guidance.

Consent and capacity

Written consent for every appointment. Where someone lacks capacity, we follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and record a best-interests decision.

Know when to refer

If we find an infection, a perforation or anything unexpected, we don’t treat. We refer to the GP, audiology or ENT with a written note.

Records and privacy

Secure clinical records for every appointment, handled under UK GDPR. Read our privacy policy.

Part of Hartlane Group

Hartlane Earcare is part of Hartlane Group, a London-based company that works in partnership with care providers and the public sector. That means an established business, proper governance and a team you can reach.

Meet our clinicians How we handle complaints

Our clinicians

The people looking after your ears

Every Hartlane Earcare clinician is trained in microsuction and works to the same clinical protocols.

[Photo]

Head clinician

[Name], RN

[Name] is a registered nurse with [X] years’ experience in [community nursing / older people’s care / ENT]. They trained in microsuction with [training provider] and lead our clinical protocols, training and audit.

[A sentence in their own words about why they do this work.]

NMC PIN: [XXXXXXX]
Training: [Microsuction course and year]
DBS: Enhanced, [month and year]

Want to join us?

We’re growing and looking for clinicians who enjoy working in the community.

See careers

Careers

Join a growing community ear care team

We’re building a mobile service that brings ear care to care homes, salons and community settings across London.

Now hiring

Head Clinician (Registered Nurse)

London and surrounding areas · [Full-time / part-time] · [Salary range]

You’ll lead our clinical service: running clinic days in care homes and salons, setting our clinical protocols, and helping us train and grow the team.

You’ll need

Current NMC registration
Experience in community nursing, older people’s care or ENT
Microsuction training, or willingness to train with us
A full UK driving licence
Confidence working with people living with dementia

Privacy policy

How we use your information

Draft. Have this reviewed before the site goes live.

Who we are

Hartlane Earcare is a trading name of [Hartlane Group Ltd, company number XXXXXXXX], registered at [address]. We are the data controller for the information described here. Contact: [email address].

What we collect

Contact details such as your name, email and phone number. For appointments, we also collect health information: your ear history, relevant medication, what we find during the examination and the treatment given. Health information is special category data under UK GDPR.

Why we use it

To arrange and carry out your appointment, keep a clinical record, take payment and refer you on if needed. Our lawful basis is to provide a service you’ve asked for. We process health information because it’s needed to provide health care, under the care of a registered health professional.

Who we share it with

With the care home where your appointment took place (a summary only), your GP or audiology service if we refer you, and our payment and IT providers. We never sell your information.

How long we keep it

Clinical records are kept for [8] years after your last appointment, in line with NHS records guidance. Enquiries that don’t lead to an appointment are deleted after [12] months.

Your rights

You can ask to see, correct or delete your information, or object to how we use it. Email [email address]. If you’re unhappy with how we’ve handled your data, you can complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ico.org.uk).

Terms and cancellations

Booking terms

Draft. Have this reviewed before the site goes live.

Bookings

Appointments are confirmed by email or through your care home. Please tell us about any ear surgery, perforation, infection or recent ear pain when you book.

Cancellations

You can cancel or rearrange free of charge up to [24] hours before your appointment. Later cancellations may be charged [£XX], except where you’re unwell or in hospital.

Payment

Payment is taken by card on the day or by payment link within [7] days of your appointment.

Our right not to treat

Our clinician may decide on the day that microsuction isn’t safe or suitable. If so, you’ll only pay the check-only fee, and we’ll explain why and advise on next steps.

Results

Most wax is removed in one visit, but we can’t guarantee it. Very hard wax may need softening drops and a follow-up visit.

Complaints

If something isn’t right

We want to hear about it, and we’ll treat every concern seriously.

Tell us
Email [email address] or call [phone number]. Family members and care home staff can complain on someone’s behalf.
We acknowledge
We’ll confirm we’ve received your complaint within 3 working days.
We investigate
Our head clinician will look into it and reply in full within 20 working days.
If you’re still unhappy
[Independent escalation route, e.g. an independent complaints scheme your service belongs to.]

Clearer hearing, without leaving the chair you’re comfortable in.

Earwax is healthy, until it isn’t.

A gentle, dry method, done under magnification.

Consultation

Examination

Microsuction

Aftercare

We come to you.

Care homes

Salons

Community settings

From our partner homes

Run a care home?

Good ear care, brought to where people are.

Why we exist

How we work

Clinically led

Safe and hygienic

Partnership with homes

Joined-up care

Working with us

Questions people usually ask

Book a visit or ask a question

For care homes and salons

Regular ear care for your residents, at no cost to the home

Five steps, with very little for your staff to do

Agree a date

Residents book

Consent checked

We see residents

Written summary

A service that pays for itself

No cost to the home

Commission on every appointment

Better resident wellbeing

Records for your files

Keep the list, point us to the room

Book a free trial clinic day

Request the information pack

Add ear care to your menu, without buying a thing

Why salons partner with us

Extra income

More visits

We handle the clinical side

What you’ll need

Become a salon partner

Noticed Mum or Dad isn’t hearing as well?

It often looks like something else

How to book

Their home already works with us

Their home doesn’t work with us yet

Consent and capacity

Ask us to visit their care home

Remind me about the next clinic

Clear prices, no surprises

Both ears

One ear

Check only

Follow-up visit

Who pays

Group and workplace sessions

Why care homes and families trust us

Registered nurse

Microsuction trained

Enhanced DBS checks

Fully insured

Regulation

Infection control

Consent and capacity

Know when to refer

Records and privacy

Part of Hartlane Group

The people looking after your ears

[Name], RN

Want to join us?

Join a growing community ear care team

Head Clinician (Registered Nurse)

You’ll need

Register your interest

How we use your information