Ear Hygiene Clinic has been providing ear wax removal and ear hygiene services in Christchurch for over 20 years, having started in Ferrymead in 2004 and grown to eight clinics across Canterbury. The clinic was founded by registered nurse Jane Rees, who identified a need for a better private ear cleaning option so patients didn't have to rely solely on their GP.
The team specialises in microsuction, a safe technique that uses a microscope and suction to clean the ears and provide immediate relief, without the syringing or squirting methods of older approaches. The clinical team is made up entirely of registered nurses, several with decades of experience in surgical, ENT and community nursing, working alongside audiology experts, ENT specialists and GPs across Christchurch.
No referral is needed to book an appointment, and the clinic treats clients of all ages, from newborns to centenarians. Beyond standard clinic appointments, the team also offers rest home visits, appointments for ACC clients with long-term hearing loss claims, and concessions for war veterans, Community Service Card holders and RSA members.
Ear Hygiene Clinic has spent more than two decades helping Cantabrians hear better, starting as a single clinic in Ferrymead in 2004 and growing into a network of eight clinics across Christchurch. The clinic was founded by Jane Rees, a registered nurse who saw a gap for a dedicated, private ear cleaning service so people didn't have to rely on a GP appointment for something as routine as wax removal.
The clinic was one of the first in Canterbury to explore and adopt microsuction — a technique that uses a microscope and gentle suction to clear the ear canal safely and without pain. Compared to older methods like syringing, microsuction is described by long-time clients as far more comfortable, with one client since 2009 noting how much the field has progressed "when I think back to the old days, when doctors squirted, syringed and poked around." A standard appointment takes around 15 minutes and can bring immediate relief and improved hearing.
Every clinician at Ear Hygiene Clinic is a registered nurse, several with decades of relevant experience. Jane herself has more than 40 years of nursing experience, having started in ear, nose and throat nursing at Auckland Public Hospital, and is a member of the ORL Nurses Special Interest Group NZ, the Australian Nurses Head and Neck Interest Group, and The College of Nurses. Colleagues Lee, Kelly, Sharron, Rachel and Cathy each bring 30 to 40-plus years of nursing background, spanning surgical nursing, ENT post-surgical care, dermatology, primary healthcare and infection prevention. The clinic's reception team, including Michelle and Tina, are the first friendly faces clients meet.
The clinic treats clients "from newborns right through to centenarians," and has a dedicated page describing what a child's visit looks like, aiming to make the experience approachable rather than stressful. Parent and carer testimonials back this up, with one describing staff as "very gentle, and very good with kids," and another praising a nurse's gentle approach with a scared adult client with Down syndrome.
Ear Hygiene Clinic also runs a rest home visiting service, bringing microsuction directly to residents who may find it difficult to travel to a clinic, for individuals or groups. ACC clients with a long-term hearing loss claim can book appointments with an ACC-registered nurse (clients are asked to call ahead to arrange this). War veterans receive the service free of charge, while Community Service Card holders and RSA members are offered subsidised rates. Gift vouchers are also available for those who'd like to give someone the gift of better hearing.
The clinic positions itself as part of a wider care network, working alongside audiology experts, ENT specialists and clients' GPs throughout Christchurch. No referral is required to book directly.
Appointments can be booked online, with the Ferrymead clinic serving as the primary hub for initial consultations and general queries. The clinic's cancellation policy allows free cancellations up to three hours before an appointment; changes or cancellations within three hours may incur a fee, and no-shows may be charged the full appointment cost.
With eight locations spread across Canterbury, Ear Hygiene Clinic aims to make professional, nurse-led ear care accessible no matter where in the region a client lives.