Frequently asked questions

Clear Sound Solutions provides specialist ear and hearing care exclusively for the care sector. We bring professional ear care directly into care homes, so residents can receive ear examinations, wax removal and hearing screening without unnecessary off-site appointments. The service can include digital otoscopy, microsuction wax removal, hearing screening, clinical reports with images, remote ENT review and audiologist referral where appropriate.

For many older people, travelling to external appointments can be difficult, stressful or impractical. On-site care means residents stay in familiar surroundings while care staff can remain involved. Ear wax build-up and unidentified hearing change can affect communication and may look like withdrawal, confusion or simply “getting older”. Identifying and addressing these issues helps residents communicate more comfortably and stay connected.

The service is designed for residents living in care homes. Each resident must have appropriate consent before treatment. We only treat residents who have valid consent and remain clinically suitable on the day of the visit.

No. Our service provides specialist ear care and hearing screening in the care home. It does not replace a GP, ENT specialist or diagnostic audiologist. Where findings indicate further assessment is appropriate, we can support the next step through an ENT review pathway or audiologist referral where applicable.

No. Wax removal is one part of the service. The wider programme combines ear examination, wax management, hearing screening and clinical documentation, with onward referral pathways where appropriate.

Otoscopy is an examination of the ear canal and eardrum using a specialist digital otoscope. It is quick, painless and non-invasive. Our digital system captures clear images of the ear so care staff and families can understand what we have found. Otoscopy is an important first step: it lets us assess the ear and decide whether further ear care is appropriate for that resident.

Microsuction removes excess ear wax using gentle suction under direct visual guidance. Unlike ear irrigation, it does not flush water into the ear. The ear canal is continuously visualised so wax can be removed carefully and precisely.

Microsuction is a well-established method of wax removal and allows the ear canal to be viewed throughout. No ear procedure is right for every person, which is why we carry out otoscopy first and only proceed when the resident remains suitable on the day. If something means treatment should not go ahead, we will not proceed and will advise on the next step.

Microsuction is generally well tolerated. Some residents may feel mild discomfort or sensitivity, particularly if the ear is already irritated. We work at the resident’s pace and will stop if treatment is not tolerated.

No. Our wax removal service uses microsuction rather than water irrigation, so the ear canal can be continuously visualised while wax is removed with gentle suction.

We first assess the ear and decide whether treatment is appropriate. Where wax needs softening before microsuction, we can provide labelled olive oil spray for that resident as part of the service. The pathway then follows the resident’s individual needs and suitability.

Sometimes it is not appropriate or possible to remove all of the wax in one visit. Resident safety comes first. If treatment cannot be completed safely or the ear needs further assessment, we document our findings and recommend the next step.

If an abnormality is identified during otoscopy, we do not simply proceed without proper consideration. Where appropriate, images can be reviewed remotely by ENT specialists through the TympaHealth pathway to help decide whether further medical assessment is needed.

We provide a hearing screening test, not a full diagnostic audiological assessment. The screen uses four frequencies — 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz — to indicate hearing ability and help decide whether further audiological assessment may be appropriate.

If the screen suggests further assessment may help, we can recommend referral to a local audiologist. The purpose of screening is to identify residents who may benefit from further assessment and support.

No. We do not supply hearing aids. Where appropriate, we can provide an audiologist referral so the resident or family can arrange a hearing aid assessment with a local provider.

Yes. Where appropriate, hearing screening can follow the ear examination and wax removal. That helps show whether hearing difficulty remains after excess wax has been addressed and whether further audiological assessment may be useful.

No. Some residents may not recognise or report a change in hearing, or may find it hard to describe symptoms. Regular ear examination and screening can identify potential issues even when a resident has not specifically complained about hearing.

Good hearing is closely linked to communication and everyday quality of life. When someone cannot hear clearly, they may withdraw from conversation and activities. In some older people, hearing difficulty or wax build-up can be mistaken for confusion or a change in behaviour. Regular ear and hearing checks help identify problems earlier so residents get appropriate support.

Yes. Each treated resident receives a comprehensive digital report with images. Reports are typically provided within five working days of treatment.

Yes. Reports are designed to support care documentation and can help when communicating findings with families and providing evidence at inspection.

Yes. Digital otoscopy images can be included so staff and families can see the findings rather than relying only on a written description.

We provide a digital report with images, typically within five working days. Where further action is recommended, that is documented so the care home and relevant family members understand the next step.

Families often want reassurance that a relative’s hearing and ear health are being looked after. Digital reports and images give a clear record of the examination and treatment, and show whether further action has been recommended.

The service brings ear care into the home with clear clinical documentation. Instead of arranging separate external appointments for every resident, the home can plan around a scheduled visit. Reports with images provide a clear record of what was found and what was done.

Before the first visit, each resident — or their LPA or legal representative where applicable — needs to complete the Clear Sound Solutions Consent for Ear Care Programme form. Consent remains valid until it is revoked in writing.

We offer two options. Online consent: families or representatives can complete the form securely on a phone or tablet. Paper consent: a printable form for residents or relatives who prefer paper. Homes can use either method, or both.

Where a resident cannot provide their own consent, the appropriate LPA or legal representative can complete the consent process where applicable. We can guide the care home through the process and provide the necessary documentation.

Yes. Family involvement is often important. Digital reports and ear images also help families understand what was identified and what treatment was provided.

Resident safety always comes first. Consent does not automatically mean treatment will take place. Every resident is assessed and must remain suitable for the planned service on the day. If treatment is not appropriate, we will not proceed and will advise on the next step.

Contact us and we will discuss your requirements and the best way to work together. There are two pathways: individual care homes under an Approved Supplier Agreement, or care home groups under a structured group programme.

Standard delivery is twice per calendar year. Visit dates are agreed with the care home or group and are typically confirmed at least 14 days in advance.

Yes. The service is delivered on-site during normal business hours. Residents do not need to travel to an external clinic for the Clear Sound Solutions service.

For an individual home on the Approved Supplier Agreement, there is a minimum of 10 consented and suitable residents per visit. Care home groups use a different commercial model based on homes and resident capacity covered by the agreement.

Before a visit, the home provides the list of consented residents and the information needed for safe delivery. For individual homes, the list is normally provided at least seven days before the visit, with relevant medical notes and confirmation that consent has not been revoked.

We attend the care home and assess each consented resident who remains suitable. Depending on need, that may include digital otoscopy, ear wax assessment, olive oil where required, microsuction where appropriate, hearing screening, further referral or review where required, and digital documentation with images. Only services that are clinically appropriate for that resident are carried out.

For individual care homes on the Approved Supplier Agreement, the price is £125 inclusive of VAT per treated resident. The service runs twice per calendar year, with a minimum of 10 consented and suitable residents per visit.

No. Under the individual-home model you pay for residents actually treated, not per bed. If a resident is listed but not suitable on the day, they are not treated and not charged.

Under the individual-home model, the care home may choose to recharge residents or families. How that is managed is entirely the home’s arrangement with residents or their representatives.

Yes. We offer a structured programme for groups that want consistent ear and hearing care across multiple homes. Group agreements are fixed-term (12, 18, 24 or 36 months), with pricing based on the number of homes and resident capacity rather than individual residents treated.

The clinical service is the same. The difference is how it is contracted and paid for. Individual home: an Approved Supplier Agreement for one home, residents opt in, and the home pays for residents actually treated. Care group: a structured programme across multiple homes, fixed-term agreement, priced on homes and resident capacity.