Report on experiences of treatment for ear wax in Brighton and Hove
Report - March 2025
Over the last year, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove have received feedback about patients experiencing increasing challenges in obtaining treatment for ear wax removal. Therefore, between November 2024 and December 2024, Healthwatch Brighton and Hove decided to run a short survey asking people to share their experiences of seeking advice and/or treatment for an ear wax problem in the last two years.
Our results show how significant the impact of an ear wax issue can be on a person’s life. The results also reveal a mixed picture when it comes to finding information about and then accessing ear wax removal through GP practices.
It is positive to hear that some local people manage to access ear wax removal on the NHS, and that for the majority of people the quality of their treatment once they receive it is good (whether they receive it through the NHS or private health providers).
However, we also heard that respondents are increasingly reporting that their GP practice no longer offers ear wax removal, and some people are having to resort to paying for treatment privately because they have no alternative.
NHS Sussex have responded to our report, saying
“We welcome this report from Healthwatch, and thank them for their close work with patients, and for highlighting what an impact earwax and audiology services have on people’s lives. We know there is more work to be done in this area of healthcare, and plan to help improve experience and services for patients.
"We plan to implement the recommendations of this report, alongside other recommendations we have received about primary care audiology services, by working closely with GP practices and Primary Care Networks to improve knowledge of, and access to, audiology services among primary care staff and patients alike.”
Downloads
Please download the following document for the full report.
