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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Medical Specialties & Departments > Ear Wax Removal

Ear Wax Removal Cost


How Much Does Ear Wax Removal Cost?

 
low costOver The Counter: $5-$30average costWith Insurance: $5-$75high costWithout Insurance: $40-$110

In most cases, earwax is a healthy part of ear function. However, an overabundance of earwax can cause aching, pressure and even ear infections. (See How Much Does Ear Infection Treatment Cost.)

Typical costs:

  • Without insurance, an appointment to have earwax removed can cost between $40 and $110 at a primary care physician's office or a clinic for people without insurance. CVS Minute Clinic[1] charges $99-139 for ear wax removal.
  • With insurance, typical copays and deductibles will apply. Copays for office visits range between $5 and $75, depending upon the insurance company. The average insured individual in the U.S. has a $19 office visit copay.
  • Over-the-counter earwax removal kits range from $5 for an Ototek Loop removal kit[2] to nearly $30 for a Kyrosol Ear Wax Removal System.[3]
  • Earwax removal can also be safely accomplished using eardrops. Drops range in cost from $5.15 for .75 ounces of Auro Ear Drops Wax Removal Aid[4] to $7.99 for .5 ounces of Debrox Ear Wax Removal Drops.[5]
  • Although the Food and Drug Administration warns against their use, some alternative health practitioners do "ear candling" to remove excess earwax. Ear candles cost between $2 for two beeswax candles to $250 for 75 candles, which is equal to about $3.30 per candle. Ear candling sessions at a spa, salon or massage clinic can cost between $25 and $80, depending upon the region of the country.
Related articles: Tinnitus Treatment, Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Ear Infection

What should be included:
  • A doctor's office visit for earwax removal will include talking with the doctor about any ear symptoms or concerns. The doctor will examine the patient's ears for signs of infection or other problems, and determine the best earwax removal method. Some doctors use pressurized water to remove earwax; others remove the wax using a tiny plastic loop inserted into the ear; and some doctors opt for vacuum removal, using light suction to remove the wax buildup.
  • At-home earwax removal kits are similar to what a physician uses. Loop kits include instructions and a plastic loop to scoop out the wax. The Kryosol kit includes information on product use, a glycerin-based, wax-loosening solution in individual plastic pipettes and a syringe to place the solution inside the ear canal. Other kits include a bulb syringe, which helps remove the wax.
  • Ear wax drops include product information, dosing instructions and a container with between .5 ounces and 1 ounce of ear wax removal solution, which dissolves the ear wax inside the ear canal.
Additional costs:
  • The Food and Drug Administration strongly recommends that patients avoid ear candling. If ear candling results in burns or an ear injury, a doctor's visit or hospital visit may be required. For those without insurance a visit could cost between $50 and $100,000, depending upon the extent of the injury.
Shopping for ear wax removal:
  • Anyone with ear pain, stuffiness or difficulty hearing should consult a doctor before attempting earwax removal. Rarely, ear pain or stuffiness can be the result of an infection or other problem. Over-the-counter ear wax removal products could exacerbate the problem. In addition, patients with an injury to or perforation of the ear drum should not use any over-the-counter earwax removal methods. Over-the-counter methods should also not be used on infants or children who have ear tubes.
  • Patients considering an over-the-counter method should begin by selecting a system that fits their comfort level. Loop systems require a certain level of skill and eye-hand coordination. Drops are considered a medication and should be use with care. Patients can talk to a pharmacist about the options.
  • Before making a purchase in a pharmacy, make sure the packaging is complete and intact.
  • If purchasing online, research the company before buying ear candles, earwax removal kits or ear drops. The Food and Drug Administration[6] offers tips and advice for purchasing medications online.
  • Ask the technician how long he or she has been doing ear candling. Don't be afraid to ask if he or she has had any accidents associated with the treatment.
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Ear wax removal
Amount: $80.00
Posted by: Marilee in south bend, IN.Posted: July 10th, 2023 07:07AM
Removal Method: Ear candlingInsurance: N/A
I’m a therapist & have been doing ear candling for clients for 25yrs. I charge $80 which includes lymphatic drainage & neck massage. Helps clear sinus passages too
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Medical Aesthetican
Amount: $30.00
Posted by: [email protected] in San antonio, TX.Posted: April 23rd, 2023 05:04AM
Removal Method: Cone/ medical peroxide/ essential oilsInsurance: No insurance
A medical aesthetican did this for me in a health and wellness clinic. Insurance doesn't cover and it only costed $30. Yes it can be done at home but I am not paying for a co pay, dr visit nothing just the service fee. All procedures are performed under a medical provider with a Dr on standby. They used other things that I can not buy over the counter like medical hydrogen peroxide which is more effective than over the counter drug store and saline solution. They closed my service with essential oils the rebalance the ears natural homeostasis so it doesn't disrupt the natural chemistry of the ear. So worth it for 30 bucks. This is now a part of my natural care by choice where it doesn't gouge my pockets. Her fb page is aesthetic Beauty Bar dermal and wellness institute. Highly recommended
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Wild West of Earwax Removal
Amount: $112.00
Posted by: Ann B. in Kansas City, MO.Posted: March 20th, 2023 01:03PM
Removal Method: Vacuum, curetteInsurance: BCBS
I do this about once every 6 months. This time total charges $180. Both ears: total 30 minutes of suction and digging. Insurance negotiated $67, and I paid $112. This is much better than some, but it seems excessive for the service. I'll try my luck with CVS next time.
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Paid less money than expected with no insurance
Amount: $129.00
Posted by: a user in Baltimore, MD.Posted: August 30th, 2021 04:08PM
Removal Method: FlushingInsurance: None
I went to patient first and I got to see a doctor for 129 dollars then they checked both my ears but only my right ear could be flushed because it was completely blocked with ear wax. So I am alright now. Before, I could hear my voice echoing in my head when i talked and my right ear was feeling full and stuffy, so I knew my ear was blocked., I just didn’t know if it was safe to do it myself or if I had any infections. To keep it safe I just went to the doctor and then they did just that, I didn’t need to go for any scans. Or pay additional charges for flushing.
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Removal of impacted cerumen with severe vertigo.
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: a user in Worcester, MA.Posted: June 17th, 2021 12:06PM
Removal Method: ER doctor irrigated with warm salineInsurance: Medicare+MassHealth
More than a simple irrigation. Prior to visit, tried bulb and syringe irrigation with warm water, soak with carbamide peroxide 3%, hydrogen peroxide 5%, and more irrigation, for hours at a time, on several occasions, to no avail. My wax is not affected by any peroxide. Cotton swabs only made it worse. After years, tinnutus worsened, hearing loss, failed irrigations blocked nearly all hearing for 1-2 weeks. Woke one morning, severe vertigo and nausea, unable to walk, drive or sit. Ambulance only option. In ER, simple drops and irrigation did not work. Warm saline bag, IV tube, and IV with catheter (need applicator removed), painfully scraped and irrigated with surgical precision to free wax from sides of ear canal, then popped plugs out with water pressure. Whole process was an hour or more. 1" long, 1/4-3/8" wide, from each ear. Vertigo and nausea quickly resolved. After, I could vibrantly hear the discharge papers rustling simply as he carried them. I could hear paper!
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Cost of Ceruman impaction/ear irrigation
Amount: $5,000.00
Posted by: MAD MAD MAD in Pearland, TX.Posted: May 26th, 2021 12:05PM
Removal Method: Qtips, saline, waterInsurance: BCBS -Anthem
Went to Grace ER-Pearland for dizziness and vertigo, they irrigated both my ears and I was there an hour. Felt like a simple ear wash. They billed insurance $7000 for bilateral ear surgery. They say I owe $5k of it. Insanity
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CVS minute Clinic
Amount: $62.00
Posted by: Hamid in Orlandi, FL.Posted: July 28th, 2020 01:07PM
Removal Method: Water flushInsurance: Anthem
Originally charged 99 dollars but with insurance they could only charge me 62.
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Cost of impacted cerumen
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: FreeNY in New York, NY.Posted: April 19th, 2020 05:04PM
Removal Method: IrrigationInsurance: None
My wife is a registered nurse and she did it for me.
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Ear wax removal
Amount: $10.00
Posted by: J Snow in Boston, MA.Posted: January 21st, 2020 11:01PM
Removal Method: Hydrogen peroxide and waterInsurance: None
Get the ear cleaning kit blue bulb. Put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide (Walmart) in you ear. Tilt head or lie on your side until the bubbling sound stops (5-10 minutes). Flush you ear with slightly warm water using the blue bulb. Drain you ear. Repeat until the wax falls out or no bubbling occurs.
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Ear wax removal
Amount: $2,080.00
Posted by: Spencer Kirk in Winter garden, FL.Posted: August 14th, 2019 10:08AM
Removal Method: SyringeInsurance: $480
Orlando health charged me a ridiculous amount to get one ear cleaned out, it took two minutes to do.
I still haven’t paid the bill as Im waiting for them to clearly explain why they charged me so much and I have a right for them to clearly explain these charges to me.
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Impacted ear wax removal
Amount: $330.00
Posted by: a user in Boston, MA.Posted: August 11th, 2019 12:08PM
Removal Method: MicrosuctionInsurance: Anthem Blue Cross
At MGH. Irrigated both ears before microsuction. $30 copay + $300 bill ($795 in charges).
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Removal of Impacted cerumen CPT Code 69209
Amount: $255.30
Posted by: DAB in Canton, MI.Posted: June 7th, 2018 12:06PM
Removal Method: lavageInsurance: HAP
When the AMA allowed for CPT code 69209 in 2016, the price of ear lavage, ear drops with water and drainage into a basin performed by a medical assistant (MA), skyrocketed. Ear lavage was covered under the office fee, and usually paid the small copay. Now the University of Michigan Hospitals charge a whopping $325.80, HAP allowed $255.40. What a farce and ripoff! It is now a minor procedure, no informed consent, there are risks to this procedure. Does U of M inform patients before they hurry to "clean" your ears about the exorbitant cost or the risks? NO! They want their money. It appears to be an epidemic of impacted cerumen. Does U of M release how much money they gouged from insurance and patients and lined their pockets? NO! The hospitals and insurance companies are continually making money, and patients are continually losing money, it is a racket.
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Avoid Quick Care at West Marion
Amount: $1,313.84
Posted by: D Reed in Ocala, FL.Posted: November 27th, 2017 12:11PM
Removal Method: Ear Wax RemovalInsurance: BCBS
I have a $3000 deductible that did not cover this charge. So yes, you are reading correctly - $1,313.84 in bodunk Ocala, FL to have ear wax removed from one ear. My regular doctor couldn't see me for 4-5 weeks and suggested a quick care clinic. NEVER AGAIN!
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qtips are cheap
Amount: $0.01
Posted by: a user in san antonio, TX.Posted: November 9th, 2017 08:11PM
Removal Method: qtipInsurance: meh
just do it
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Ear Wax Removal
Amount: $1,100.00
Posted by: Michelle S. in METAIRIE, LA.Posted: August 26th, 2017 06:08PM
Removal Method: curetteInsurance: yes but had not met my deductable
Yes, just got the bill! I paid my copay at my visit. Just received a bill for $585 (only what the insurance company would allow them to charge), but they initially charged $1100 for a "microscopic ear exam" and removal of wax (a little bitty piece). What a scam! My husbands orthopedic surgeon charged him less than this quack! I'm furious!!!!
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This is robbery
Amount: $132.00
Posted by: QM in Miami, FL.Posted: February 27th, 2017 08:02AM
Removal Method: cotton swabInsurance: aetna
I brought my son for a checkup at University of Miami hospital. The doctor wanted to make sure the ear was clear but there's some earwax on one side so she removed it. After I received the bill, I saw a $132 charge on that 10 seconds earwax removal!!! If you do the math, that's like $50K per hour lab! I wasn't even notified that I needed to pay. This is robbery.
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remove impacted ear wax
Amount: $105.00
Posted by: a user in West Chester, PA.Posted: January 13th, 2017 06:01AM
Removal Method: Insurance: aetna
before insurance rate 110.. After insurance rate 105. In 2015 and 2016. I went for a routine physical check and the doc performed this service without informing me that this is going to cost me extra 100 bucks. Feel cheated since i did not have any ear pain or hearing discomfort. I tried calling the hospital and insurance. The hospital staff was very rude, have never had to deal with such uncooperative staff ever that too at a hospital when the least i would expect is some compassion towards its customers/patients
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Ear wax removal in both ears
Amount: $340.00
Posted by: L. Skywalker in Raleigh, NC.Posted: October 12th, 2015 07:10AM
Removal Method: Suction tool/vacuumInsurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield
I went to Raleigh Capitol ENT due to earwax blockage in both ears and some symptoms of vertigo. It took about 15 minutes to remove the earwax with a suction tool and 2 minutes to test for anymore signs of vertigo (which I had already stated had passed several days ago and not returned.) I paid the full cost ($340) out of pocket because I had not met my insurance deductible yet. If I need to have my ears cleaned out again I'll be looking for somewhere less expensive, probably a walk-in clinic.
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Not too bad in NYC
Amount: $49.00
Posted by: Boondocked in New York, NY.Posted: August 18th, 2015 05:08AM
Removal Method: Irrigation (water, hydrogen peroxideInsurance: Oxford
Went to Midtown New York Doctord Urgent Care and they cleaned it out right away. I can't remember how much it was sans insurance, but it was less than $400 (which is crazy, $40 is the correct price for such a service :))
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ear wax removal
Amount: $190.00
Posted by: mark james in nyc, NY.Posted: July 10th, 2015 09:07AM
Removal Method: presurized waterInsurance: self pay
after waiting about 4 hr. I finally saw a doctor at the ear clinic on 14th st. and 3rd av in Manhattan.
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Simple Routine Ear Wax Removal at the Cleveland Clinic
Amount: $171.00
Posted by: Chris P in Cleveland, OH.Posted: June 26th, 2015 08:06AM
Removal Method: Flush / VaccumInsurance: Anthem Blue Cross
Wow, I thought Ear Wax removal was a simple procedure, and inexpensive... Boy was I wrong. I foolishly consulted my insurance, which stated it should be 'around $39' and gave a list of providers... whom I would call and they'd reply they 'dont do that service.' So I called my Dr, who didnt have an availability, so i was refered to a different Cleveland Clinic Hospital.
The 'Sitting in the Waiting Room' Fee is $310.00. The 14 minute ear wax removal procedure was $201. So it cost ME $172 for this quick, simple procedure. #Crooks. What a fun way to make $2,000 an hour.
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69210 Impacted Cerumen Removal
Amount: $689.95
Posted by: Fernando in Miami, FL.Posted: March 12th, 2015 02:03PM
Removal Method: InstrumentInsurance: Humana
Office visit was $85.18 after insurance; before $422. Cost of removal was $689.50 after insurance; before $1642. UM Health University of Miami Health System. They are a group of rich snobs who charge whatever they want and demand patients pay no matter what.
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Ear wax removal charge / cost
Amount: $95.00
Posted by: HearMeNow in Jackson, MS.Posted: January 14th, 2015 09:01AM
Removal Method: Water / peroxide / flushInsurance: Nope
simple, easy, painless, and quick. only took about 6 mins for both ears. Walk-in clinic. Year is 2015.
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ear wax removal charge
Amount: $525.00
Posted by: avs in Denver, CO.Posted: November 20th, 2014 02:11PM
Removal Method: instrumentInsurance: United Health
For a total of 20 minutes at ANschutz ENT I was charged $195 for "office visit" and $330 for ear removal.
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Cost
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Eddie Bryan in Gainesville, FL.Posted: September 12th, 2014 01:09PM
Removal Method: irrigationInsurance: none
I've been quoted a price in Gainesville, FL of $199.00. I am homeless and unemployed. I have some money but can't afford that. I was hoping $70 to $90 and I could even go to $100.
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cost of impacted cerumen removal
Amount: $150.00
Posted by: Black Essie in Los Angeles, CA.Posted: August 20th, 2014 03:08PM
Removal Method: water/syringeInsurance: yes/aetna
150 charge, $80 co-pay
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Impacted cerumen removal
Amount: $250.00
Posted by: Mr. De in Saint Peters, MO.Posted: July 3rd, 2014 11:07AM
Removal Method: VacuumInsurance: UHC Advantage Pd. $98.79
After an unsuccessful attempt by Walgreen's I went to my ENT in St. Peters, MO and paid for an office visit and a Binocular microscopy. Walgreen's charged $15.00 plus $17.00 for an antibiotic after gouging my ear canal. The next day I was sent to ENT and was billed 250.00 of which UHC ins. paid $98.79 and I paid 149.19 and there was a Sequestration Reduction of $2.02.
Yes very confusing.
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cost of impacted cerumen removal
Amount: $125.00
Posted by: a user in grand rapids, MI.Posted: February 1st, 2013 12:02PM
Removal Method: curetteInsurance: self pay
I paid the doctor $125 to remove impacted cerumen from both ears.
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easy money for consultation
Amount: $200.00
Posted by: mrs deft in 2700 grand concord, CA.Posted: October 4th, 2010 11:10PM
Removal Method: noneInsurance: cash
i paid $200 Dr Lloyd Ford,for just talking
he consider i do not need MY EAR WASHED BUT schedule me for a earing test which scare me thinking how much it will cost me and if i cancel i had to pay $25...!
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  4.  www.drugs.com/cdi/auro-solution.html
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