When it comes to hearing care, one of the main search terms is “ear wax removal near me.” As an audiologist, I’ve noticed that many people seem to prioritise proximity over qualifications and safety. In this article, I will explore the benefits of seeing a registered healthcare professional for ear wax removal and provide tips for choosing the right service.
London's Demand For Ear Wax Removal
London’s demand for private ear wax removal has grown rapidly since the NHS stopped offering the treatment. This has led to an increase in the number of providers from other sectors who have trained in ear wax removal, including chemists and chiropodists. However, many of these practitioners are underqualified and unregulated, with no background in hearing care.
Ear wax removal is an unregulated practice therefore you do not need to be a registered healthcare professional to carry out the treatment. Is it time to regulate this practice to ensure safety and quality?
Risks of Under-Qualified Providers
The risks associated with underqualified providers carrying out ear wax removal are significant. Precise technique is required to avoid injury to the eardrum and surrounding structures, and underqualified providers may not have the necessary skills to carry out the procedure safely. This can lead to cuts, abrasions, and even perforations of the eardrum, which can result in long-term complications such as hearing loss and chronic infections. Additionally, under-qualified providers may lack a deep understanding of ear anatomy and referable conditions that is necessary to properly diagnose and treat patients.
Choosing the Right Ear Wax Removal Service
To ensure that you receive safe and effective ear wax removal, it’s important to choose a registered healthcare professional. Audiologists, nurses, doctors, and ENTs are all regulated by governing bodies such as the HCPC or General Medical Council, which guarantees that they have the correct knowledge and abilities to start practising. These entities also provide you with peace of mind should you have concerns about a practitioner’s standards of practice.
At Kensington Hearing, we only use HCPC-registered audiologists to carry out earwax removals. With the extensive public transport in London, you should not have to travel too far for “earwax removal near me” from a safe and qualified provider.
