Free earwax removal service for over 75s in Edinburgh to ease NHS burden and protect vulnerable people
A popular summer scheme to help elderly patients save money and look after their hearing health has been extended indefinitely.
House of Hearing initially set up the scheme at its Edinburgh clinic every Tuesday, but the popularity of appointments has proved there was a real need for the free service, so they’ve taken the decision to extend the offer.
Aural Care Practitioner Mara Wilson who runs the free clinics said: “We experienced such a great demand and feedback from customers and local GPs that we’ve extended it indefinitely, and had to add in an extra clinic on a Thursday. Before adding in the extra day we were developing a four to five week waiting list. The demand for the free service has been overwhelming, so we are delighted to offer appointments every Tuesday and Thursday to help patients.”
The free twice-weekly service will now continue indefinitely, as House of Hearing says it wants to help ease the pressure on public health services in the Edinburgh area, and help protect the local community.
The right time
ENT Nurse Melanie Jackson, House of Hearing’s Head of Nursing added: “The high demand we’ve experienced for our free of charge Tuesday appointments reflects the immense pressures our public health service is facing. We are delighted to be able to assist our colleagues in the NHS by extending this offer indefinitely to give back to the local community and support Edinburgh’s older population during the cost of living crisis.
“Summer is a time of year where demand for earwax removal and ear care services is particularly high, with an increase in the number of ear infections or complications stemming from a build-up of earwax and exacerbated by summer activities such as travel, swimming and warmer temperatures.”
Hearing healthcare at risk
She added that without a free service the clinic was worried that vulnerable pensioners might try DIY or other non-professional solutions.
“Given the proliferation of dangerous DIY wax removal kits available online and the rise in unregulated wax removal providers across Edinburgh our hope is that this change will help make our services more accessible and allow more people to understand the importance of having your wax removed by a suitably qualified and regulated professional.”
House of Hearing has been established hearing and ear care experts for over 50 years. Its Edinburgh clinic is the first private wax removal clinic in the country to be registered with Healthcare Improvement Scotland, ensuring a high standard of patient care. As well as the ENT nurse-led wax removal service, the clinic also provides hearing protection, hearing aids and free comprehensive hearing tests.
Find out more
Spaces at the free Tuesday and Thursday clinics must be reserved in advance. Visit House of Hearing at 10 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 7LU, call 0131 220 1220 or email [email protected]