19 Feb 2024
A vital NHS service providing relief to millions of people across the UK has been withdrawn unexpectedly, leaving patients forced to pay out for treatment out of their own pocket.
Every year, approximately 2.3m patients – mainly hearing aid users, elderly people and those with a learning disability – receive treatment for the removal of earwax, but now the free service has been axed.
One of those affected is a St Albans man who wants to raise awareness of this debilitating issue as he is struggling to resolve it through his doctor.
The 70-year-old finance professional, who wishes to remain anonymous due to fear of prejudice, wears a hearing aid to help him hear.
But a build-up of ear wax beneath his hearing aid has left it impossible for him to carry on with his daily activities without problems.
He said: “Not to hear people talking, music, TV or bird song, for example, is hard for many to comprehend.
“My loss of hearing came on gradually. I became aware at social events that I could not hear what people were saying, especially if there was a lot of background noise.
“My wife nudged me as I wasn’t responding to her, although she was used to my ‘selective hearing’.”
“After my hearing test, it was a relief to know I could hear again with hearing aids, but it was also concerning as I feel there is still a lot of ageism around.”
Though the aids help, he has encountered a problem. He said: “Ear wax is not something you discuss really. Everyone has it and it is a form of protection for your ears.
“It builds up, especially if you wear something in your ears such as hearing aids, as it normally dissipates as you talk during the day.
“It is really annoying as I have to take one hearing aid out in particular because of the whistling which reduces my hearing.
“I regularly use wax softening drops which is recommended, but unfortunately in the past year I have had to use Boots Ear Wax Removal Service three times at £60 each time and I have a future appointment booked.”
He first visited his GP surgery who reluctantly offered ear syringing, which he says can be painful and slightly
dangerous. They later said they did not offer the service anymore.
However, NICE guidelines issued in 2017 state: “GP surgeries or community clinics should offer to remove earwax if a build-up is contributing to someone’s hearing loss. Earwax build-up which is causing hearing problems should be managed in primary or community care.”
“Ear irrigation is an effective method of removing earwax. Ear drops should be used to soften the wax before irrigation, either immediately before or for up to five days before the procedure.”
The finance professional told the St Albans Times that as hearing loss in many cases can be improved with hearing aids, a simple removal of wax should be available on the NHS.
He said: “When many GP services are sharing clinics or services – this could be another shared service. If each GP practice chipped in for some equipment and training, clinics could be held.
“At the moment I can pay as I am working and willing to pay for the convenience, but not everyone is in that position.”
