How postcode lottery for vital NHS service could affect NIHL sufferers

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Concerns have been raised by a charity after it was revealed that nearly 10 million people no longer have access to a vital NHS service.

Figures have shown that the NHS has withdrawn free earwax removal services across several NHS Trusts, creating a new ‘postcode lottery’ across the UK.

According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), ‘no medical reason’ has been given for the removal of the service. However, the lack of access for some people could lead to further health issues if patients are not able to get the treatment they need.

Postcode lottery

Earwax removal is a vital procedure to identify severe and complex hearing conditions. It is sometimes the first port of call to identify Noise-Induced Hearing Loss and tinnitus.

This is because people often assume their hearing loss is caused by ear wax, but once it has been removed, if their issues persist, they know it is something more serious.

Without this free service, many people may assume their hearing loss is caused by ear wax and without having the opportunity to get it removed, more serious issues will not be diagnosed.

Getting earwax removed privately can be expensive, as Helen Kendall, 76, from Bath, pays £240 a year to get her ear wax removed privately as there is no NHS service, in her area.

She said:

“I was so desperate that I paid £80 to have my ear wax removed privately. It made a huge difference to my hearing and quality of life. I’m a sociable person, I volunteer at a food bank, I’m part of an art group and cook for a lunch club and I love the cinema; all these rely on me being able to hear properly.”

Without this free NHS service, fewer people may not get diagnosed with hearing conditions caused by external factors such as noise at work. And as a result, they will not be able to claim against conditions such as NIHL and tinnitus for their suffering.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss – what is it?

Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a hearing impairment resulting from exposure to loud noise and often results from many years of unprotected exposure.

Many people who suffer from NIHL also suffer from tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing type sound heard in the ears or head and can be incredibly distressing and debilitating.

Exposure to noise at work is commonplace, especially amongst manufacturing and heavy industry sectors such as in steelworks, on construction sites, highway maintenance and factory work.

NIHL Symptoms

Noise damages your ears gradually over years of exposure. NIHL is usually first noticed by family members or friends who pick up on you asking them to repeat themselves or who make comments about the volume of the television or radio.

NIHL also makes it difficult to decipher what others are saying when there are a number of people talking at once or there is a lot of background noise.

Many people with NIHL also suffer with tinnitus which is an unwanted sound that can be heard in your ears or head, and usually takes the form of a ringing, buzzing, whistling or whooshing sound.

Can it be caused by work?

Exposure to noise at work is commonplace, especially amongst manufacturing and heavy industry sectors.

Without the proper use of hearing protection, prolonged exposure to noise at work can result in NIHL and tinnitus (a buzzing or ringing sensation in your ears).

Could my employer be liable for compensation?

Employers have a duty of care to protect you from exposure to noise. If you’ve worked in noisy environments and suffer from hearing loss, your employers (present and past) could be liable for compensation.