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Why When and How have we reached this point !!
Are you like me and you have become increasingly frustrated suffering from the build up of ear wax and unable to access the service at your local GP surgery?
Are you left wondering how you are going to approach the problem with limited funds?
Are you like me exasperated as to why such a service has been downgraded to non essential?
Have you been quoted up to and beyond £100 to get the relief you need?
Meanwhile you are feeling dizzy, uncomfortable, have limited hearing, experiencing intense itchiness causing increased sleep deprivation. Are you missing crucial conversations when at work?
Are you living with Dementia or you know or care for someone with existing communications
difficulties? Have you explored the possible cause of increasing life crisis and loss of life quality?
Could this be a case of excess ear wax which could be removed and make a huge difference to life experiences.
Now as a Retired nurse and following a Journey to my own earwax removal Business… Owning Happy Eastbourne has opened my mind of the dilemma that so many people are facing. Economic deprivation means that they have to either live with the issues until they escalate to a crisis point, by when it could be too late for full hearing recovery and indeed other recovery such as mental Health escalation.
As a private Business owner (Earwax Removal) I have started to explore the possibility of gaining some local council funding to at least reduce cost for the most Vulnerable people in our
community. Namely the homeless!! Namely people living with Dementia!! Namely people whom
have developed Complex needs which are being left with additional constraints as well as existing.
NICE National Guidelines for Health and care excellence, recommends that ear wax removal should be performed by the Primary Health care team. However, without a commissioning service GPs are under no obligation to do so.
My search for support came quickly to a dead end and would welcome anyone whom may be able to sign post me positively. Or is it a dilemma for some? I cant afford it so I have to do it myself. (Which will be explored further into this article.) Is that the end of that Dilemma?
When did we reach this point?
Fact
September 25th 2020. People suffering from a build up of wax are not entitled to ear syringing on the NHS. The Government Minister Edwin Arger said earwax removal is no longer funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCGs) that pay for these services to be carried out. This means that GP Practices do not receive the funding required for ear wax removal services, and as a result carry out them for free for patients.
The Government said GPs can refer patients on to a specialist service if the problem is linked to
hearing loss!!
Fact
The RNID estimated that 9.8 Million people do not have NHS access to earwax removal service. This is despite 2.3 million requiring the procedure every year.
Earwax impaction is present in 1-10 Children
Earwax impaction is present in 1-20 Adults
More than 30% present within the Older Population
More than 30% present within Learning Difficulties Population
NHS website says that a build up of earwax can lead to dizziness, heavy hearing loss or ear
infections. The website astonishingly recommends to treat themselves or seek help from their local pharmacy!
The question I ask “ is this too late for some”? Will people be exploring other health issues as a
direct result of being unable socially and economical inability to take up sign posted alternatives?
Some will have been feeling isolated for some time, some will have been suffering from increased mental Health issues secondary to social withdrawal all which could have been resolved quickly and timely before such secondary issues developed GPs will often suggest using olive oil drops initially.
While over the counter commercial drops are available, there is little evidence that they resolve
the issue in ore than 1 in every 5 people according to the RNID. Such drops are not recommended for those who have recently had an ear ear infection or surgery.
Some people unable to afford private treatment are turning to dangerous self removal methods. In my clinic ( Happy Ears) in Eastbourne, I have seen several instances of cotton wool buds, remnants of hair grips and metal from manufacturer self help tools situated dangerously near to the delicate ear drum (Tympanic Membrane)
Conclusion
Funding remains variable across clinical commissioners groups (CCGS).
The NICE National Guidelines for Health and care excellence guidance recommends that ear wax removal should be performed by the Primary Health care team However, without a commissioning service GPs are under no obligation to do so.
The Government believe that the removal of excess earwax no longer sits in with a Primary Health need.
I ask the question: “How can these two Government Bodies can differ so much with their ideals and leave millions of people in Limbo and at risk of immense reduction in life quality and further drain of the resources of Government and NHS services with the expense of secondary health issues.
We are left with Earwax Removal Service Reform Campaigns to hopefully lead us through to some some sign of potential solution.
With the RNID in full flow with such a campaign, Happy Ears will join them on their journey.
Hopefully we can help them influence Government to adopt new Policies and practices that make the UK a more inclusive place for deaf people. Hopefully Happy Ears will be able to help to lead a campaign to ensure vital services are accessible.
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