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You need wax in your ears to provide a barrier against water, insects and infection. But if that ear wax (cerumen) builds up and clogs your ears — making it difficult to hear or causing general discomfort or pain — you could have impacted cerumen. Up to 6% of the general population has impacted ear wax.1
Sometimes, ear wax can be removed at home through natural remedies (not a cotton swab). Other times, you’ll need to see a trained professional who specializes in ear wax removal.
Continue reading to learn more about how much a professional ear cleaning and ear wax removal can cost and what to expect during the process.
What Is Ear Wax Removal?
Cerumen (aka ear wax) is a substance produced by glands in your ear canal to trap and prevent dust, bacteria and other germs from damaging your ear. It also protects the skin in your ear canal from getting irritated if you get water in your ear.2
However, problems can occur when too much ear wax is secreted, causing it to build up and block the ear canal.2 In the United States, cerumen impaction is patients' most common ear complaint to clinicians.1 It affects 10% of children and more than 30% of older adults and those with cognitive impairment.1
Cerumen impaction is often seen in people who routinely wear hearing aids or earplugs and those with abnormalities of the external ear canal. If you frequently wear internal earbuds, you might be more susceptible to this problem.1
Ear wax removal is the process of cleaning out impacted cerumen. It can help with common symptoms of cerumen impaction, such as:2
- Earaches
- Partial hearing loss
- Cough3
- Itching3
- Vertigo3
- Ringing noises in the ear (also called tinnitus)
- Sensation of fullness in the ear or a “plugged" ear
How Much Does Ear Wax Removal Cost?
The average cost* of ear wax removal in the U.S. ranges between $78 and $104. Prices can vary depending on factors such as insurance coverage and geographic location. The table below lists the costs of ear wax removal based on the type of procedure involved.4
Ear wax removal cost by procedure type
| Procedure | Description | Average cost | Cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual removal | Ear wax is physically removed using a surgical instrument like a curette1 | $78 | $60 to $152 |
| Irrigation | Ear wax is flushed out through gentle irrigation with a saline solution in a syringe1 | $93 | $72 to $178 |
| Microsuction | Particularly soft or hard ear wax may require a microscope and suction device for removal1 | $104 | $82 to $184 |
Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Ear Wax Removal?
Ear wax removal isn’t typically covered by health insurance unless it’s deemed medically necessary. Removal of impacted ear wax may be covered if it's reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury.3
Typically, you would need a referral from your primary care physician to schedule an appointment with a specialist. It’s wise to call your insurance company first to see if they’ll cover the visit. If they do, you might still have a copay. If they don’t cover it, get an estimate by calling and asking how much ear wax removal costs for self-pay patients.
How Does Professional Ear Cleaning Work?
Professional ear cleaning involves the removal of wax from one or both ears by irrigating the ear canal with a metal handheld syringe. In some instances, an electric oral jet irrigator may also be necessary. Some patients might also require manual removal of impacted wax using suction tools or bulbs, probes, forceps, hooks or other instruments.3
Tips to Prevent Ear Wax Buildup
For most people, it's enough to just leave their ears alone, but individuals with hearing aids should have regular ear checks every three to six months.5
You might also want to switch to over-ear headphones if you think there’s a link between your ear wax buildup and frequent earbud use.6
If you're dealing with excess ear wax that has hardened within the ear canal, become impacted or impaired your hearing, seek assistance from a professional who can safely remove the ear wax.6
Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card
The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to hearing care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, vision, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Diana Kelly Levey is a freelance journalist, content marketing writer and author with more than 15 years of experience covering health and wellness.
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*Actual cost may vary based on geography, provider, and other variables. Cost information is based on research in the 50 United States and D.C. which was conducted by ASQ360° in 2024 on behalf of Synchrony’s CareCredit.
**Subject to credit approval.
The information, opinions and recommendations expressed in the article are for informational purposes only. Information has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical error by our sources, or any other, Synchrony and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) does not provide any warranty as to the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of any information for its intended purpose or any results obtained from the use of such information. The data presented in the article was current as of the time of writing. Please consult with your individual advisors with respect to any information presented.
© 2024 Synchrony Bank.
Sources:
1 Sevy, Justin O. et al. "Cerumen impaction removal," National Library of Medicine. March 1, 2023. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448155/
2 "Ear wax," Mount Sinai. May 30, 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/ear-wax
4 2024 Synchrony Average Procedural Cost Study for Cosmetic, Veterinary, Dental Practices and Other Practices Across the United States, conducted by ASQ360° Market Research, Cost Tables.
5 Shargorodsky, Josef. “Ear wax,” MedlinePlus. May 30, 2022. Retrieved from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000979.htm
6 “Are headphones and earbuds making your ears waxy?” ColumbiaDoctors. January 11, 2024. Retrieved from: https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/are-headphones-and-earbuds-making-your-ears-waxy
