Ear Wax Removal in Melbourne CBD —Ear syringing with Medicare Rebate

Blocked ears are uncomfortable, disruptive, and often surprisingly easy to fix. At CBD Doctors Melbourne, our GPs perform ear wax removal by syringing with warm water —a Medicare rebate that significantly reduces your out-of-pocket cost. Same-day appointments are available at our Level 10, 53 Queen Street clinic, and the procedure typically takes 15 mins. No referral required — you can book directly. Just book a standard consultation with your preferred doctor.

We serve patients from across inner Melbourne including the CBD, Southbank, Docklands, Carlton, Fitzroy, East Melbourne, North Melbourne and greater Melbourne.

Symptoms of ear wax build-up

Ear wax (cerumen) is produced naturally by glands in the ear canal and plays an important protective role — trapping dust and debris, repelling moisture, and lining the canal. In most people, wax migrates naturally out of the ear without any intervention.

In some people, however, wax accumulates faster than it clears, leading to a build-up that can cause:

A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
Muffled or reduced hearing (temporary hearing loss)
Itchiness inside the ear canal
Dizziness in some cases

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms — particularly after swimming, using hearing aids, or wearing in-ear headphones regularly — ear wax build-up is a likely cause and is straightforward to treat.

Who is prone to ear wax build-up?

Some people naturally produce more wax than others, or have ear canals shaped in a way that makes natural clearance more difficult. You may be more prone to wax build-up if you:

Use hearing aids, in-ear headphones, or earplugs regularly (these push wax inward)
Have narrow or particularly curved ear canals
Have a history of recurring ear infections
Are older — the skin of the ear canal migrates more slowly with age, and wax becomes drier and harder
Swim regularly
Have previously used cotton buds to “clean” your ears (this compacts wax further into the canal)

A note on cotton buds: Cotton buds are one of the most common causes of impacted ear wax. They don’t remove wax — they push it deeper into the canal and compact it against the eardrum, often making a mild build-up into a significant blockage. Our GPs see this regularly. If you’ve been using cotton buds and are now experiencing blocked ears, you may need ear syringing.

What to expect at your appointment

Before your appointment

Using olive oil drops, waxol or cerumol drops (2–3 drops, twice daily for 2–3 days before your appointment) softens the wax which is removed faster and more comfortable. This is optional but recommended, particularly if you know your wax is hard and compacted. any of the products above is available from any supermarket and is as effective as pharmacy ear drop preparations.

If you can’t wait — or haven’t had time to soften the wax — come in anyway. Our GPs can still perform the procedure; it may just take a little longer.

During the procedure

Your appointment will take approximately 15 min. Your GP will:

Examine both ear canals using an otoscope to assess the extent of wax build-up
Use warm water in a special ear syringe to gently remove the wax
Re-examine the ear canals after removal to confirm clearance
Discuss whether any follow-up is needed

Most patients find the procedure comfortable.

After the procedure

Most patients notice an immediate improvement in hearing and relief from the sensation of pressure. There is no recovery time — you can return to work or normal activities immediately after your appointment.

Your GP may recommend:

A follow-up appointment in 6–12 months if you tend to produce wax regularly
Referral to an audiologist or ENT specialist if any other ear health concerns are identified during the examination

Medicare rebate — how much will I pay?

This is the most important difference between having ear wax removal at CBD Doctors Melbourne versus a specialist ear wax removal clinic.

At a specialist audiologist or ear nurse clinic, ear wax removal typically costs $140–$220 per session, with no Medicare rebate. You pay the full amount out of pocket.

At CBD Doctors Melbourne, the procedure is performed by a GP and attracts a standard Medicare consultation rebate. The out-of-pocket cost after the Medicare rebate is significantly lower than specialist clinics.

Is ear syringing available at CBD Doctors Melbourne?

Ear syringing (also called ear irrigation) is an older technique that uses water to flush wax from the ear canal. It is not recommended for patients with a history of perforated eardrum, ear infections, grommets, or mastoidectomy.

Frequently asked questions

How long does ear wax removal take at CBD Doctors Melbourne? The appointment typically takes 15 minutes including examination before and after the procedure. You can return to normal activities immediately.

Do I need a referral for ear wax removal? No. You can book directly with CBD Doctors Melbourne for ear wax removal — no referral required. Book online just selecting your preferred doctor and a standard consultation as the reason for seeing the doctor.

Do I need to use ear drops before my appointment? It is recommended but not required. Using olive oil drops (2–3 drops, twice daily for 2–3 days before your appointment) softens the wax and makes the procedure quicker and more comfortable. If you haven’t prepared, come in anyway.

Can you remove ear wax from both ears in one appointment? Yes. Both ears can be assessed and treated at the same appointment.

I have a perforated eardrum? Patients with a history of perforated eardrum should always advise their GP before any ear procedure. Your GP will assess your ear and advise whether microsuction is safe in your situation.

How often will I need ear wax removal? This varies significantly between people. Some people need their ears cleared once every few years; others need it every few months. Your GP will advise on the best preventive approach — usually regular olive oil drops — to reduce the frequency of build-up.

Is ear candling effective? No. Ear candling is not approved by the TGA and has no clinical evidence of efficacy. It does not remove wax and carries risks including burns, wax blockage from candle residue, eardrum perforation, and permanent hearing loss.

My ears feel blocked after swimming — is that ear wax? It may be. Water can soften and expand wax in the ear canal, causing it to swell against the canal walls and cause a blocked sensation. It can also be water trapped behind wax. Either way, a GP can examine the canal and advise — and if wax is the cause, ear syringing will resolve it quickly.

Can I use ear wax removal drops from the chemist? Over-the-counter drops (such as werumol, waxol, or simple olive oil) can soften wax and may help mild build-up clear naturally. However, if wax is impacted or symptoms are significant, drops alone are unlikely to resolve the blockage and wax removal is needed. Drops are most useful as preparation before microsuction, or as ongoing prevention.

I wear hearing aids — should I see a GP or an audiologist for ear wax removal? Either is appropriate, but seeing a GP has advantages: you get a Medicare rebate, and your GP can assess for any ear health issues beyond the wax itself, then communicate findings to your audiologist.

Serving patients across inner Melbourne

CBD Doctors Melbourne is one of the only GP clinics in the inner Melbourne area offering ear wax removal with a Medicare rebate. We regularly see patients from:

Melbourne CBD — office workers fitting in a lunchtime appointment on Queen, Collins, or Bourke Streets
Southbank — a 10-minute walk or short tram from the arts and entertainment precinct
Docklands — easily accessible via tram on Collins Street or Harbour Esplanade
Carlton and Fitzroy — 15 minutes via tram on Swanston or Smith Streets
East Melbourne — a short tram or taxi from the medical and government precinct
North Melbourne — accessible via tram on Royal Parade or Elizabeth Street
West Melbourne — walking distance from the western end of the CBD

If you’re searching for ear wax removal in Southbank, Docklands, Carlton, Fitzroy, or anywhere in inner Melbourne and want a same-day appointment with a Medicare rebate, CBD Doctors Melbourne is your closest and most cost-effective option.

Book ear wax removal in Melbourne CBD

CBD Doctors Melbourne is located at Level 10, 53 Queen Street, Melbourne CBD — in the heart of the CBD, between Collins and Flinders Lane

Getting here:

Tram: Trams on Collins Street (Routes 11, 12, 48, 109), Bourke Street (Routes 86, 96), and William Street stop within a 3-minute walk down Queen street to
Train: Flinders Street Station is a 7-minute walk. Southern Cross Station is a 10-minute walk
Car: Paid parking available on Queen Street, William Street, and with many car parks close by.

Same-day appointments are available Monday to Friday.

If you’re experiencing blocked ears, muffled hearing, tinnitus, or ear discomfort — don’t wait.