Currently one in six people in the UK are affected by hearing loss, with around 900,000 being classed as clinically deaf.
In fact, there are more people living in the UK with hearing loss than diabetes, coronary heart disease and cancer combined, according to hearing clinic, Hear4U. Hearing loss, however, is not the only way ears can be affected. Many people experience issues with their ears from time to time – from a build-up of earwax to tinnitus or infections. Most ear problems clear up quickly with the right treatment and are unlikely to lead to any long-term problems. However, they can cause a lot of discomfort, affect hearing and – if they involve the inner ear – cause vertigo so customers will need to deal with any symptoms quickly and effectively.
Community pharmacy is often the first port of call for ear health advice, so it’s vital that the whole pharmacy team knows how to help. While some acute symptoms, such as sudden or severe hearing loss, require a GP appointment, others may be treated over-the-counter.
Earwax build-up
Although earwax (cerumen) serves to keep the outer ear clean and protects it from damage, it sometimes builds up and blocks the ear canal. This can occur at any age but is most likely to affect older people and those wearing hearing aids or using earbud earphones. In November 2022, many people reported symptoms that can be associated with earwax blockage, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, earache and dizziness, according to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID). Some also reported that these symptoms affect their overall wellbeing, including their mental health.
“General advice says to leave earwax alone,” explains Nic Wray, communications manager at Tinnitus UK. “However, earwax build-up can affect how well hearing aids work, and for some people can trigger tinnitus. If earwax build up is bothersome, it should be treated. Cotton buds or other items shouldn’t be inserted into the ears, but earwax-softening drops or olive oil should be considered as the first option.”
Medical grade olive oil ear drops can be used three to four time a day for three to five days to reduce earwax build-up as well as earwax removing drops or sprays. These soften the impacted wax so that it then falls out naturally.
Self-management isn’t always sufficient on its own, however, and people with hearing loss, earache, tinnitus, itchy ears or vertigo may need to have their earwax removed. “While in many cases, earwax can be safely and effectively removed at home using over-the-counter ear drops or by gently flushing the ear with warm water, in some instances it’s best to call in the professional,” says Rob Ormerod, audiology director at Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists. “There are a number of techniques your healthcare professional will use, including micro-suction for the safest wax removal.”
About 2.3 million people each year in the UK have troublesome earwax requiring removal, according to research published in January 2023 by University of Manchester audiologists in the British Journal of General Practice. The researchers found that hearing difficulty was the most common and troubling symptom of blocked ears – after the earwax had been removed, more than eight out of 10 people noticed an immediate improvement.
