TympaHealth Ear & Hearing Health (Earwax removal)
About this service
In the UK it is estimated that around 3.9% of the population require management of ear wax each year.
Many people have to wait months for treatment, or simply resign themselves to living with their condition, unaware that they could receive treatment at their local pharmacy with the help of the TympaHealth system.
The current waiting time to access wax removal services in the NHS is 12-16 weeks. Therefore, a pharmacy’s ability to offer hearing screening, ear diagnostics, wax removal & other services is a major benefit for the local community & other existing healthcare services.
Making these services more accessible not only improves treatment pathways, but it also removes the hassle of attending GP and hospital appointments & lessens the strain on NHS resources.
The importance of good hearing health:
Good ear & hearing health is important to people of all ages and helps us get the most out of life. Our hearing can be affected by many factors, including age, the build-up of wax & the misuse of cotton buds & in-ear headphones.
If our ability to hear deteriorates it requires more energy to listen & participate in daily life so we become tired and, in some cases, socially withdrawn. Hearing loss is known to be the single largest modifiable risk factor for the prevention of dementia.
Signs to look out for:
There are a range of signs to watch out for which could indicate you have an ear or hearing problem. Loss of hearing, earache, discomfort, discharge, ears feeling full, ringing, itching, loss of balance, dizziness & coughing can all be signs that a change has occurred in your ears & you should get them checked.
Simple diagnosis & treatment:
Today, thanks to modern technology, there are medical treatments and procedures that can quickly diagnose ear & hearing conditions. Infections & skin conditions as well as excessive & compacted wax can be identified & treated quickly & painlessly at a local pharmacy.
Once wax has been removed a hearing screening can be performed. This will identify any hearing issues & whether you require further treatment. However, in many cases, the initial problem could’ve simply been down to the presence of wax itself.
The importance of good ear & hearing health
Recent advancements in medical technology now means that ear & hearing screening, as well as other basic procedures, can now be performed in local clinics, pharmacies, care homes or even within the home. During an examination, high definition images & video of the inner ear can be recorded & shared with specialist doctors anywhere in the world.
Quick screen process £20
It only takes around 15 minutes to examine a patient & identify any issues within the ear. Then, if necessary, a fast & painless procedure can be undertaken to clear the ear of any debris or built up wax which can immediately improve hearing capabilities.
Trained staff & advanced equipment are required to perform a hearing screening, record images, remove wax & diagnose an ear condition. Our staff are expertly trained to use the latest TympaHealth system to deliver the best service & care possible.
Micro-suction and debris removal process £65 (including initial consultation)
FAQs
What is Tympa?
By accessing this service, you will be provided with:
• An ear examination - the trained colleague will exam your ear to check it is healthy.
• Hearing check – you will be able to complete a simple hearing test to check the quality of your hearing. If further investigation or treatment is needed the trained colleague will be able to refer you to the appropriate healthcare professional.
• Wax removal – using micro suction you can attend the pharmacy for wax removal.
Why do I need to have my ears checked?
• Age.
• Build up of wax.
• Misuse of cotton buds.
• In ear headphones.
If your ability to hear deteriorates it will require more of your energy to listen and participate in daily life meaning you become tired easier and, in some cases, socially withdrawn.
How will I know when my ears need checking?
• Loss of hearing.
• Earache.
• Discomfort.
• Discharge.
• Ears feeling full.
• Ringing in the ear.
• Itching.
• Loss of balance.
• Dizziness.
• Coughing.
What can I expect at my appointment?
They will firstly have a look at the outer ear and ear lobe to check for any signs of infection or skin condition.
They will then use an otoscope to view the inner ear. By using the otoscope, they will be able to view the inside of your ear and take photo’s using specially designed equipment. They can then show you the images taken and discuss your ear health with you.
The good news is if a build up of wax is identified we can remove this for you using micro suction!
Can they remove the wax at the same appointment?
If the wax is quite hard and would be stubborn to remove (causing some slight pain and discomfort) the colleague will give advice on what you can do to soften the wax, and you will be given an appointment to return to the pharmacy for it to be removed.
Does wax removal hurt?
Do I have to pay for this service?
The charges are:
• Otoscopy and ear check £20
• Ear wax removal £40
• Total charge if needing wax removal £65
There may be an instance where the wax needs to be removed over more than appointment, the great news is this doesn’t come at an extra charge! You will only pay one wax removal charge even if you require more than one visit for the same wax removal session.
Who is the service for?
Available at the following pharmacies
Branches
Barnsley
Bolton on Dearne ›Sheffield
Darnall Primary Care Centre ›Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe Ironstone Centre ›Rotherham
Swinton Church Street ›All pharmacy services
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