Access to ear and hearing healthcare is becoming increasingly challenging. According to RNID, four in ten patients wait longer than six weeks on average for an audiology assessment. In addition, the postcode lottery of wax removal services in the UK is leading to dangerous self-management.
Hearing loss is far more than just a minor inconvenience it has a profound impact on mental health, employability, and day-to-day quality of life. Left unaddressed, it can lead to social withdrawal, reduced cognitive function, and even linked to increase the risk of dementia. According to The Lancet, hearing impairment accounts for the single largest modifiable risk factor for developing dementia, contributing to 7% of cases, while social isolation—a common consequence of hearing loss—adds a further 5%.
Access to ear and hearing health services can be challenging with patients sometimes not knowing where to go first. Pharmacies are uniquely positioned to address the issue, acting as a first point of contact for patients, and are often more accessible than GP services, both geographically and in terms of appointment availability.
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A UK survey by TympaHealth, with 1,035 respondents, found that 28% of adults are unaware that pharmacies offer ear and hearing health services, there is an opportunity for pharmacies scale up awareness and provision of ear and hearing health services to help with signposting and support these critical gaps in healthcare.
Empowering pharmacy teams
To ensure successful roll out of ear and hearing healthcare in pharmacies, pharmacies must ensure staff are adequately trained in confidently communicating about ear and hearing health. By incorporating ear and hearing health questions into routine check-ins or medication reviews, teams can proactively identify concerns that might otherwise go unspoken and then support with appropriate referrals and first line treatments.
By ensuring pharmacies take a holistic approach towards patient care, this will also have the added benefit of increasing footfall into pharmacies. This in turn has the potential to increase revenue, as people begin to perceive their local pharmacy as a trusted health hub, rather than somewhere to simply pick up prescriptions. In rural or underserved areas, where GP services are stretched, pharmacists can support by being the go-to providers for first-line health support in conjunction with their local GP.
Taking a preventative approach
Pharmacies are ideally positioned to play a preventative role in ear and hearing health care through adequate signposting.
And can educate patients on safe ear care, and the importance of early action. For example, advice can be provided regarding safe listening practices or avoiding dangerous self-removal methods.
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Ear and hearing health innovation such as the technology offered by TympaHealth, which we are starting to roll out across our pharmacies, allows for high-quality images to be shared instantly and hearing check results with audiology specialists if required. This ensures continuity of care and more efficient faster decision making. It fully aligns with the NHS 10-year plan focusing on three key ‘shifts’: moving care from hospitals to communities, making better use of technology, and focusing on preventing sickness, not just treating it.
When I spoke to Krishan Ramdoo, ENT surgeon, and founder of TympaHealth, he said: ‘Care in the community is the future, allowing for more patient-centred, and integrated healthcare.
‘It’s this kind of local, preventative care that will be essential in building a more resilient and inclusive health system, reducing pressure on already stretched services in GPs and hospitals.’
With many GP practices no longer offering wax removal and NHS services overwhelmed, pharmacies can fill a critical gap in service provision. Providing these services is also key as it can stop minor ear and hearing health issues from escalating into more serious medical problems such as infections, or mental health issues as a result of social isolation.
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The future of pharmacy ear and hearing health
Providing expert-led, tech-enabled ear and hearing healthcare is not only vital for the community, but also the viability of pharmacy services in the future. With pharmacies facing increasing cost pressures, due to aspects such as national insurance increases, and increased clinical workload, it’s vital to invest in specialist services that address growing patient needs. By providing a full ear and hearing checks, pharmacies can help manage common issues, meaning fewer patients need to be referred to specialists, thereby leading to significant cost savings for the NHS.
The high demand for these services will enable pharmacies to generate a strong revenue stream from fees charged for appointments and procedures. As the population ages and hearing loss becomes more prevalent, demand is only set to grow. Investing now in digital tools and staff training will ensure pharmacies are well-placed for sustainable, scalable expansion for the future.
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