Ear Wax removal - patient survey report

Healthwatch Sutton has received anecdotal feedback that accessing ear wax removal services in the Borough is not uniform or universal. People’s potential ability to access free services is dependent on a variety of factors outside their control. The Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) published a report ‘Access Blocked’ in 2023 that found that two-thirds of respondents were told that ear wax removal is no longer free on the NHS and a quarter of respondents could not afford a private service. The RNID follow-up report, ‘Blocked Ears, Blocked Access: The crisis of NHS ear wax removal’ showed that South West London (SWL) Integrated Care Board (ICB) was one of only 7 out of 44 ICBs nationally that does not commission a universal service at all.  Healthwatch Sutton created a short online survey to capture a snapshot of experience.  They heard from 87 people.

Over 85% of respondents who tried to remove the ear wax themselves using ear drops were unsuccessful.

 Access to free treatment is confusing and inequitable. Of those respondents that received treatment (excluding those unable to access any and those that used ear drops successfully), 44% had treatment at their GP surgery, 14% at the hospital and 41% had to pay privately to have the earwax removed 

Nearly three-quarters of respondents who paid privately paid between £26 - £75 with a further 20% spending over £76 

15% of respondents didn’t have treatment because they couldn’t afford it. 51% said they could just about afford it 

The impact of ear wax build-up on people’s ability to hear also impacts on mental wellbeing; 5% cited isolation from family and a further 5% cited depression or social problems.

Comments made show the frustration that some respondents felt with difficulties around access and cost. Conversely, those that were able to access services free through the NHS were satisfied.