Who is removing your ear wax?
Did you know that the NHS has undertaken a widespread de-commissioning of their ear wax removal service? Which has led to a huge shift of ear care provision over to the private sector.
Likewise, patients who may have previously been seen via ENT for ear cleaning are often being told to go private, as departments continue to battle with long waiting lists, clinical priorities and staff shortages.
As NHS staff aren’t permitted to make recommendations about private healthcare providers, patients are left with the task of finding a suitably qualified clinician to remove their ear wax and provide any accompanying audiological advice/management.
Are you choosing the right person for your ear wax removal procedure?
This recent surge in demand for private ear wax removal has fueled a rapid rise in the number of service providers; from high street audiology chains, to independent practices and individuals alike. So when it comes to choosing the right person for your ear wax removal procedure, patients should be asking one important question “WHO is removing my ear wax?”.
Outside of the ENT department, you will most likely find audiologists and hearing aid dispensers offering ear wax removal services.
These individuals should have:
- a degree-level qualification in audiology or hearing aid audiology,
- be registered with the HCPC or RCCP/AHCS
- have appropriate liability insurance and
- be competent in wax removal.
Ear wax removal training delivered by most clinical trainers is very brief and trainees can be out offering their own wax removal services with just a handful of wax removal attempts under their belt. This training pathway does seem to function providing that the trainee is already suitably qualified and experienced in audiology, works within the recommended scope of practice and has continued access to an experienced supervisor. After all, we all have to start somewhere – right?
For me what is most concerning is the number of ear wax removal providers who do not have the necessary background qualifications, otology experience, access to clinical support networks or (in some cases) even clinical registration. Alarmingly, a lack of hard regulation and blurred interpretation of national guidelines has signaled some unscrupulous clinical trainers to open the flood gates to a wider trainee demographic who work in areas far outside of ears. Whilst reputable trainers are more selective, only allowing registered colleagues who are qualified to work in audiology on to their courses, others are sadly not. Right now you can find beauty therapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, dispensing opticians or even physiotherapists offering ear wax removal services after attending a crash course in ear wax removal. This poses a serious risk to trusting members of the public not to mention imposing negative reputational damage to our profession.
Visit a registered audiologist and ensure the correct care is being delivered by an expert.
You might think that ear wax removal is just a simple extraction procedure and given the right circumstances, with the right expertise and equipment, it absolutely can be.
However, to possess the appropriate skill and knowlegde to identify normal from abnormal, requires months of practice built on a sound pre-existing foundation of audiological experience. With a professional audiologist, you’ll gain the benefit of years of healthcare practice – something you should definitely treat your ears to during the process.
For us at ECS, the assumption that a *insert any of the above professions here* could attend a crash course in wax removal and then deliver a competent and reputable dewax service is a little questionable.
To think of it a different way, you wouldn’t see your optician for a back adjustment or your physiotherapist for an eye examination – treat your ears, with expert treatment, after all, your hearing is precious.
