Ear irrigation cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 58 hospitals list a cash price for earwax removal by irrigation (rinsing), one ear: from $16.13 to $717.83, with a median of $101.21. The lowest listed price is at Humboldt Park Health — $85.08 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $115.44 at 102 hospitals.
- The median here, $101.21, is 4% below the US median of $105.95.
- That is 1.7× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($60.27).
- 11 of 58 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 58 facilities across 41 cities for code 69209, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 10, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$16.13Humboldt Park Health
Median$101.21half of hospitals charge less
Highest$717.83in this market
Difference44.5×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $16.13Highest $717.83
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humboldt Park Health lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Removal of impacted ear wax by washing File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $16.13 | $57.62 | $19.01–$60.50 | 72% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Removal of impacted ear wax by washing File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $19.73 | $82.00 | $31.98–$84.46 | 76% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 PF REMOVE CERUMEN IMPACTED IRR File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $23.05 | $38.42 | $23.05–$146.39 | 40% |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 CERUMEN REMOVAL, IRRIGAT/LAVAG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $25.69 | $25.69 | — | — |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 EAR IRRIGATION File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $25.79 | $42.98 | $23.05–$146.39 | 40% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $29.70 | $90.00 | $42.30 | 67% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook one side Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $30.00 | $120.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange one side La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $30.00 | $120.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale one side Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $30.00 | $120.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks one side Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $30.00 | $120.00 | — | 75% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 PF-REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $30.80 | $44.00 | $15.21–$95.64 | 30% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital one side Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Removal Impact Cerumen W/ Irrig / Lavage Unilat+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $31.73 | $167.00 | $57.59–$2,252.00 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital one side Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Removal Impact Cerumen W/ Irrig / Lavage Unilat+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $31.73 | $167.00 | $31.73–$231.30 | 81% |
| Loyola University Medical Center one side Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Rem Impacted Cerumen W/ Irrig / Lavage Unilat+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $38.41 | $167.00 | $53.61–$176.02 | 77% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Remvl Impact Cerumen Irrigatn/Lvg File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $39.00 | $60.00 | $8.10–$32.76 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Remvl Impact Cerumen Irrigatn/Lvg File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $39.00 | $60.00 | $8.10–$32.76 | 35% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 ED Ear Procedures Cerumen Irrigation/Lavage BCE+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $60.69 | $178.50 | $26.40–$116.03 | 66% |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital one side Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 REMOVAL IMPACTED EAR WAX IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $61.00 | $61.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 REMOVAL IMPACTED EAR WAX IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $61.00 | $61.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital one side Highland Park, IL REMOVAL IMPACTED EAR WAX IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $61.00 | $61.00 | — | — |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Removal of impacted ear wax by washing File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $61.45 | $219.45 | $99.19–$800.00 | 72% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI - 69209 - 45060460 File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $62.00 | $207.00 | $17.74–$207.00 | 70% |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI - 69209 - 45060460 File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $62.00 | $147.00 | $17.74–$147.00 | 58% |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $62.00 | $90.00 | $17.55–$90.00 | 31% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer one side Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 Removal Impacted Cerumen Irrigation/Lvg Unilat File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $70.17 | $196.01 | $128.16–$457.42 | 64% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 ED Ear Procedure -> Cerumen Irrigation/Lavage+2 more lines at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $71.91 | $211.50 | $35.17–$137.48 | 66% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Removal of impacted ear wax by washing File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $73.38 | $146.75 | $40.06–$1,875.00 | 50% |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago one side Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H REMOVAL IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIGATION/LVG UNILAT+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $76.30 | $109.00 | $18.53–$1,474.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital one side DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.90 | $117.00 | $21.41–$117.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $81.90 | $117.00 | $27.38–$346.00 | 30% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Removal of impacted ear wax by washing File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $83.01 | $345.00 | $134.55–$355.35 | 76% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 ER REMOVE CERUMEN IMPACTED IRR File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $87.83 | $146.39 | $23.05–$146.39 | 40% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC EAR IMPACTED CERUMEN IRR/LAVAGE File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $95.92 | $127.89 | — | 25% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 FCT-REM IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $105.70 | $151.00 | $10.58–$385.19 | 30% |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC EAR IMPACTED CERUMEN IRR/LAVAGE File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $106.50 | $142.00 | — | 25% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake one side Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC Removal Impacted Cerumen Using Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $122.50 | $175.00 | $62.11–$933.00 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals one side Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 HC Removal Impacted Cerumen Using Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $122.50 | $175.00 | $62.11–$933.00 | 30% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center one side Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$3,680.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital one side Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$3,680.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital one side Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$3,680.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center one side Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $87.25–$201.75 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital one side Hazel Crest, IL REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$4,270.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn one side Oak Lawn, IL REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$205.75 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital one side Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$222.50 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital one side Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $76.50–$225.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital one side Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $92.34–$209.50 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center one side Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $92.34–$210.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge one side Park Ridge, IL REMOVE EAR WAX W/IRRIGATION UNILAT File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $125.00 | $250.00 | $91.66–$222.50 | 50% |
| Palos Community Hospital one side Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $133.70 | $191.00 | $35.72–$191.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital one side Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $142.80 | $204.00 | $38.76–$204.00 | 30% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$240.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $92.34–$251.40 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$246.90 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$253.80 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$242.10 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$248.70 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$267.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $92.34–$252.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$292.20 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$267.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 REMOVE IMPACTED CERUMEN IRRIG BIL File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $150.00 | $300.00 | $91.66–$270.00 | 50% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital one side Glenview, IL Removal Impacted Ear Wax Irrigatn/Lvg Unilat File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $172.25 | $265.00 | $35.78–$144.69 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital one side Skokie, IL Removal Impacted Ear Wax Irrigatn/Lvg Unilat File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $172.25 | $265.00 | $35.78–$144.69 | 35% |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana one side Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNILATERAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $217.00 | $217.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital one side Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Remove Impacted Ear Wax Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $217.00 | $217.00 | — | — |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital one side McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $236.60 | $338.00 | $65.23–$338.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital one side Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $236.60 | $338.00 | $70.98–$338.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital one side Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $242.20 | $346.00 | $56.40–$346.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital one side Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Removal Impacted Cerumen, Irrigation/Lavage, Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $242.20 | $346.00 | $49.48–$346.00 | 30% |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center one side Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Remove Impacted Ear Wax Unilateral File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $246.00 | $246.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital one side Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB REMOVAL IMPACTED EAR WAX IRRIGATN/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $285.00 | $285.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health one side Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB REMOVAL IMPACTED EAR WAX IRRIGATN/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $285.00 | $285.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital one side Highland Park, IL HB REMOVAL IMPACTED EAR WAX IRRIGATN/LVG UNILAT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $285.00 | $285.00 | — | — |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital one side Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC REMOVAL IMPACT CERUMEN IRRIG LAVAGE UNILATERAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.00 | $293.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital one side Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC REMOVAL IMPACT CERUMEN IRRIG LAVAGE UNILATERAL File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $293.00 | $293.00 | — | — |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $302.58 | $302.58 | $63.22–$88.51 | — |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $303.85 | $379.81 | — | 20% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation one side Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI+1 more line at this price File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $303.85 | $379.81 | — | 20% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Remove Impacted Ear Wax Uni File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $334.00 | $334.00 | — | — |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 REMOVE IMPACTED EAR WAX UNI File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $717.83 | $2,658.64 | $13.88–$2,233.26 | 73% |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $16.13, median $101.21, highest $717.83 — a 44.5× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 38 facilities here, median $101.21. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 38 of 41 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 6 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What ear irrigation is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Ear irrigation explained.