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WHEN TO USE EAR PRACTICE PROBLEMS PDF

In the UK, it is estimated that 2.3 million people annually have problems with earwax, but because many people do not undergo routine ear examinations, the figure is likely to be much higher. These are significant symptoms that can adversely affect patient’s health outcomes, safety and quality of life. Extent of the problemĮarwax can be an innocuous problem that simply causes a sensation of blockage in the ear, but it can also cause debilitating symptoms such as hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, pain, discharge, infection and cough (Schwartz et al, 2017). GPs can feel that wax removal is not within their contract and unless there is a nurse in the surgery who is passionate about ear care, it is often the first service removed. In areas where there are no nurse-led clinics, patients often have to use private clinics.

The provision of ear care seems to be a “postcode lottery”. In a letter to the BMJ, Harvey (2018) wrote that getting earwax removed was a real frustration for both patients and GPs. It is becoming more common for UK general practices not to provide earwax removal services, despite the fact that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that earwax removal should be offered in the community (NICE, 2018).

WHEN TO USE EAR PRACTICE PROBLEMS PDF

Scroll down to read the article or download a print-friendly PDF here (if the PDF fails to fully download please try again using a different browser)Įarwax impaction is a buildup of wax in the ear canal (Fig 1) that causes symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed.

Nursing Times 115: 8, 38-40.Īuthor: Hilary Harkin is ear, nose and throat clinical nurse specialist at the ear, nose and throat outpatient department, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. In addition, patient groups that are vulnerable or unlikely to complain about earwax or loss of hearing – such as children, older people and people with cognitive impairment – need to have their ears and hearing regularly assessed.Ĭitation: Harkin H (2019) Earwax impaction: why it needs to be treated in primary care. General practices have a duty to offer earwax removal. Earwax impaction can have severe negative effects on health, wellbeing and quality of life. Many people who present to their general practice with impacted earwax are not offered removal services locally, but referred to secondary care, advised to self-care or directed to private services.