Clinical services

What we deliver on-site

The same clinical offer sits under both group contracts and the individual-home Approved Supplier Agreement.

Always included for each resident treated

Otoscopy examination

A quick, painless digital examination of the ear canal and eardrum. Images help staff and families understand findings and see improvement after treatment.

Hearing screening test

A 4-frequency check at 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz — the range that matters most for speech. Results help decide whether audiology referral is useful.

Comprehensive report with images

Typically within five working days of treatment. Suitable for care records, family conversations and inspection evidence.

Included at no extra cost when required

Olive oil spray

Pre-labelled for each resident who needs wax softening before microsuction.

Microsuction wax removal

Gentle suction under direct visual guidance. No water irrigation. Widely regarded as the NHS gold-standard method and supported by NICE guidance on wax removal.

Remote ENT review

If otoscopy shows an abnormality, images can be reviewed remotely by ENT specialists via the TympaHealth pathway.

Audiologist referral

Advanced referral to a local audiologist for hearing aid assessment. Hearing aids themselves are excluded and arranged by the resident or family.

Why wax and hearing checks matter in care homes

Ear wax build-up can cause reduced hearing, fullness, tinnitus, balance disturbance and — in vulnerable people — increased confusion or withdrawal. Removing wax often improves communication immediately. Screening then flags whether hearing loss remains and needs a different pathway.

All services are delivered on-site during normal business hours. We treat only consented residents who remain suitable on the day.

Clinical detail

Otoscopy examination

Quick, painless and non-invasive

Otoscopy is a simple examination of the ear canal and eardrum using a specialist digital otoscope. It lets us assess the condition of the ear, identify wax build-up, and check for visible abnormalities that may need further medical attention.

Using advanced digital technology on the TympaHealth platform, we capture clear images of the ear canal during the assessment. Those images can be shared with care staff or family members so findings are explained clearly — particularly helpful when showing the impact of wax build-up and the improvement after treatment.

Otoscopy is the essential first step. It ensures any ear care that follows is appropriate and tailored to that resident’s needs.

Clinical detail

Hearing screening test

Sound screening on the Tympa platform

Following ear examination and, where appropriate, wax removal, we can carry out a digital hearing check using the Tympa platform.

The system uses a 4-frequency hearing screen through headphones at 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz — the frequencies that matter most for understanding speech and everyday communication.

The screen shows how well a resident is hearing at different levels and can indicate whether a further audiology referral would help. Early identification of hearing change lets care teams and families make informed decisions about extra support, hearing aids or specialist services where needed.

Clinical detail

Microsuction wax removal

Safe and effective

Microsuction removes excess ear wax with gentle suction under direct visual guidance. Unlike traditional irrigation, it does not flush the ear with water. Wax is carefully removed with precise equipment while the ear canal is continuously visualised — greater accuracy, improved comfort, and a lower risk of complications.

It is widely recognised as the NHS gold-standard method for ear wax removal and is supported by guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Ear wax build-up can cause reduced hearing, discomfort or a feeling of fullness, tinnitus, balance disturbance, and — in vulnerable people — increased confusion or withdrawal. For many residents, removing excess wax brings an immediate improvement in hearing clarity and communication.