Supporting RNID: Stop the Block Campaign
Royal National Institute for
Deaf People (RNID)
Urgent Review of Earwax Removal Service’s Campaign
Supporting RNID: Stop the Block Campaign
Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID)
Urgent Review of Earwax Removal Services Campaign
At Clear Ear Cheer, we're proud to champion RNID's Stop the Block campaign, which addresses the urgent need for accessible earwax removal services across the UK. With 8.1 million people in England lacking NHS support for earwax removal, and areas like Mid & South Essex and Suffolk & North East Essex receiving no NHS funding for this vital service, many face painful symptoms, hearing loss, and mental health challenges.
Join the RNID CampaignThe Issue: A Postcode Lottery for Earwax Removal
Nearly half of England's Integrated Care Boards fail to provide adequate earwax removal services
RNID's research exposes a stark postcode lottery, with nearly half of Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England failing to provide earwax removal services in line with NICE guidelines. This leaves 2.3 million people—particularly older adults, hearing aid users, and those with learning disabilities—facing significant barriers to essential ear care.
Without NHS services, many are forced to pay over £100 per private session, a cost that 40% of people surveyed by RNID say they cannot afford, with 62% deeming it unreasonable. Others resort to dangerous DIY methods, risking infections, ear damage, or permanent hearing loss.
📊 The Impact in Numbers
- 8.1 million people in England lack NHS support for earwax removal
- 2.3 million people face significant barriers to care
- 40% cannot afford private earwax removal (over £100 per session)
- 62% believe private costs are unreasonable
- Nearly half of ICBs fail to meet NICE guidelines
💔 The Human Impact
The consequences of inaccessible earwax removal are profound and far-reaching:
- Nearly half of those affected experience hearing loss
- One third suffer from earache and discomfort
- One quarter develop tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- One in five report poor mental health and social isolation
- Many resort to dangerous DIY methods, risking permanent damage
This underscores the urgent need for systemic action to restore earwax removal as a vital NHS service accessible to all.
RNID's Campaign Goals and Progress
Working towards transformative change in NHS earwax removal services
RNID's Stop the Block campaign is advocating for transformative change to restore earwax removal as a vital NHS service. Their comprehensive approach targets policy, practice, and patient information to ensure equitable access for everyone.
🎯 Key Campaign Goals
- NHS England providing guidance to ICBs to implement free earwax removal services in primary care and community settings, in line with NICE guidance. RNID is also working with Scottish and Welsh governments to ensure similar commitments
- Improved patient information on safe self-management of earwax, published by NHS England to help people understand when to seek professional help and how to care for their ears safely
- Ensuring provider accountability, with commissioners verifying that earwax removal providers meet contractual obligations and that patient-facing staff are properly informed about available services
- Consistent, evidence-based information shared by GP surgeries and ICBs to support safe earwax management and direct patients to appropriate care pathways
RNID's recent survey highlights strong public support for change, with 73% of respondents believing earwax removal should be free through the NHS, reflecting widespread demand for action on this vital health service.
How Clear Ear Cheer Can Help
Bridging the gap while supporting RNID's vision for systemic change
🏥 Our Services in Mid & South Essex and Suffolk & North East Essex
In areas where NHS earwax removal services are unavailable, Clear Ear Cheer is committed to supporting RNID's vision while providing immediate, affordable solutions:
- Professional Earwax Removal: Our trained practitioners use safe, evidence-based techniques including microsuction, irrigation, and manual removal to ensure comfortable and effective treatment. We avoid the risks associated with DIY methods and provide clinical-grade care
- Hearing Aid Maintenance and Servicing: We offer specialized care to keep hearing aids in optimal condition—essential for users who are prone to wax build-up. Regular professional maintenance prevents complications and ensures devices work at their best
- Discounts for Hearing Aid Users: To ease the financial burden, we provide exclusive discounts for hearing aid users, making professional ear care more accessible and affordable
- Mobile Ear Care Services: We bring professional ear care directly to you—particularly valuable for care home residents, those with mobility challenges, or anyone who finds it difficult to access traditional clinic settings
- Clinical Documentation: We provide detailed digital otoscopy evidence that can be shared with your GP or medical professionals, ensuring seamless care coordination
By choosing Clear Ear Cheer, you're supporting a local business aligned with RNID's mission to ensure equitable ear care for all, while receiving professional, compassionate treatment tailored to your needs.
Why This Matters
Real stories highlighting the urgent need for change
RNID's campaign shares stories like Audrey Houghton's, a 70-year-old from Biggleswade who faced isolation and distress when her GP stopped offering earwax removal. With private care often unaffordable or unsatisfactory, many are left struggling without support. At Clear Ear Cheer, we're dedicated to preventing such outcomes by offering compassionate, reliable care tailored to your needs.
Stories like Audrey's are not isolated incidents—they represent the experiences of millions across England who are denied access to a basic health service. The impact extends beyond physical discomfort to affect mental health, social connections, independence, and overall quality of life.
For older adults, hearing aid users, and those with learning disabilities, the barriers are even greater. These vulnerable populations deserve better—they deserve the same standard of care regardless of where they live.
📍 The RNID Regional Service Map
RNID has compiled a comprehensive map showing the variable and inconsistent provision of earwax removal services across the UK
Join Us in Supporting RNID
Together we can create lasting change
We echo RNID's call for the Department of Health and Social Care to act swiftly: ensure NHS earwax removal services are accessible to all and provide clear, safe guidance on self-management. This isn't just about earwax—it's about dignity, independence, hearing health, and equitable access to healthcare.
The campaign needs your voice. By joining RNID's campaign, you're adding to the pressure for systemic change that will benefit millions of people across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Until these changes are implemented, Clear Ear Cheer is here to help. We're committed to providing professional, affordable ear care to bridge the gap left by inadequate NHS provision in our local areas of Mid & South Essex and Suffolk & North East Essex.
Take Action Today
Join the RNID in calling for an urgent review of earwax removal services. Help them campaign for people who are failing to get the care they need on the NHS.
Join the RNID CampaignNeed professional earwax removal in Essex or Suffolk?
Book an Appointment with Clear Ear Cheer