West Norfolk audiologist calls for tighter rules on ear wax removal
A charity is warning that almost 10 million people in England don't have access to this service through the NHS
An audiologist in West Norfolk is calling for tighter rules and regulations on who can removed wax from people's ears.
It's after a national hearing loss charity warns that almost 10 million people in England don't have access to this service through the NHS.
Hearing loss charity RNID said that people are being forced to pay for private health care - with a price tag of up to £100 - or "risk dangerous self-removal methods".
It said there is a "postcode lottery" of care for patients but there is "no medical reason" for the withdrawal of the service in certain parts of the country.
"We've had to set up ear-wax removal clinics"
Anna Pugh has been in this line of work for over 40 years:
"Ear-wax can often indicate all sorts of other health issues. That's why it's so important that you see a medical professional, somebody with qualifications who can look after you properly.
"We've had to set up ear-wax removal clinics, here. As we've found that lots of people were coming for hearing aid support because their ears were full of wax and their GP service wasn't providing it.
"Somebody who sorts your brakes in the morning and your ears in the afternoon"
"As it stands- you could have a beautician, plumbers or somebody who sorts your brakes in the morning and your ears in the afternoon.
"We worry about training, insurance and a lack of qualifications and experience that these people can have."
"Ear wax removal is not a luxury"
An RNID report states that less than half of local health bodies are providing these services to patients, against guidelines from the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence.
The guidelines say that ear wax removal services should be provided in GP surgeries or other local ear care services.
The charity sent Freedom of Information requests to all 42 integrated care boards across England, with 40 responses.
Only 18 said they were fully commissioning services in line with current guidelines while seven said that none was commissioned at all.
The charity estimated that 9.8 million people do not have NHS access as it called on the Government to make sure people can get NHS care in every part of England.
"Ear wax removal is not a luxury, a 'nice to have', or a cosmetic procedure. It is a service that is vital for people's quality of life and wellbeing," the authors of the RNID report said.
Around 2.3 million people need ear wax removal services every year in the UK, and it is more commonly needed among older people, hearing aid users and people with a learning disability.
Ear wax build-up can cause symptoms including hearing loss, tinnitus and earache.
Victoria Boelman, director of insight and policy at RNID, said:
"It's absolutely wrong that people in England who need ear wax removal to be able to hear and take part in everyday life are being left to face painful and debilitating symptoms, forced to fork out for private treatment, or risk dangerous self-removal methods.
"There is no medical reason for the withdrawal of this vital service, which is essential for 2.3 million people in the UK.
"This report exposes a horrifying reality for thousands of people being let down by commissioners who are neglecting public health guidelines.
"We're calling for the Department of Health and Social Care to commission an urgent review to ensure that everyone who needs ear wax removal can access local NHS provision, whenever they need it."
The Department for Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.