Experiences of Ear Wax Treatment

This is a report by Healthwatch East Sussex. 

Over the last year (2023-2024) Healthwatch East Sussex received increased feedback about local audiology services, including challenges in obtaining treatment for a build-up of earwax. This was heard through enquiries to the Information and Signposting service, Hot Topic meetings and engagement undertaken as part of the 2022 Eastbourne Listening Tour.

A total of 115 gave feedback on this issue through a survey.

Key findings

• People experienced a range of symptoms due to earwax build-up including loss of hearing, tinnitus, loss of balance and headaches and often more than one of these symptoms. 
• Half of our respondents (52.5%) experienced significant or severe physical impacts due to earwax including: pain, itchy ear and vertigo.
• A third of our respondents (31.3%) experienced significant or severe mental impacts due to earwax including: lack of concentration, anxiety and ‘brain fog’. 
• Whilst 34.8% respondents found accessing earwax removal Very Easy/Easy, 26.9% found it Difficult/Very Difficult. Barriers included understanding who offers earwax removal and treatment types, appointment wait times and costs of treatment.
• Most people look to their GP when they experience symptoms of earwax build-up and are disappointed if practices have long waits or no longer offer removal at all. Patients are often unclear why some GPs offer earwax removal and others don’t.
• Where GP practices still offered earwax removal this was often valued for several reasons, including quality of service, provision of self-help advice, consideration of wider symptoms and concerns, as well as being at no cost. 
• Communication from GP practices to patients about the earwax removal services they and others offer can be unclear and risks generating further confusion. 
• Feedback suggests seeking treatment for earwax can be confusing, challenging to navigate and time-consuming. Clearer guidance on earwax treatment options and how to identify safe and cost-effective services would be valued by patients. 
• The most frequent cost for non-NHS earwax removal was between £50 and £75 per treatment, which is unaffordable for some patients, especially frequent users. 
• A reduction in NHS [free] earwax removal and increased signposting to private paid-for services may have an impact on health inequalities, especially those on lower incomes or who require frequent treatment. 

There are recommendations in this report at the end.

There are follow up actions within the recommendations at the end of the report.