Page 29 - Primary Care Audiology

The solution is simple – all health systems should follow the NICE
recommendation that most adult earwax should be treated in
primary care and community rather than hospital. All savings can
then be reinvested in frontline care, helping tackle more cases of
earwax or funding other services.

Providers in primary care audiology are committed to improving
access to safe and effective de-waxing services closer to home.
They are already investing significantly in technology and workforce
development to ensure sufficient capacity to meet the growing
needs of our ageing population, who are more likely to experience
problems with a build-up of earwax.

To meet population needs in a safe, effective and
sustainable way, we will:

• Campaign for the NHS to commission de-waxing services
from primary care audiology providers so people with
earwax get the right support at the right time, in the right
place, based on clinical need, not the ability to pay
• Work with higher education institutions, evidence-based
organisations, UK governments and regulators to help
train and retain the necessary skilled workforce to meet
this need in primary care audiology
• Respond to non-evidence-based barriers to people
accessing de-waxing services

• Work with sector partners to improve advice and
guidance, including on safe options for self-care and how
to minimise risk.

Primary care audiology – accessible ear and hearing care for all 29