A local company offering specialised ear-care services has been making a difference to people’s lives by restoring their hearing and providing information and advice about ear health.
Simply Earwax Removal, based on Spa Road, is run by Ruth Emmett, a practising clinical pharmacist. Ruth offers ear examinations, wax removal, urgent wax removal and home visits. Her passion lies in ensuring that the hearing of her patients is not affected by wax.
“Whilst it is common for people to attend routine health check-ups for eyes and teeth on a regular basis, our ears are often left forgotten but this should not be the case,” says Ruth. “Good ear and hearing health is important to people of all ages and helps us to get the most out of life.
“Hearing loss has huge social implications on our quality of life. Hearing loss, if left untreated, can lead to increased risk of falls, social isolation, and is also known to be the single largest modifiable risk factor for the prevention of dementia. That’s why regular ear and hearing health check-ups are important.
“Being a clinical pharmacist prescriber with advanced clinical examination skills also benefits my patients,” explained Ruth. “I have been able to identify when a patient needs an ear, nose and throat referral, and I have picked up multiple cholesteatomas [a non-cancerous growth in the middle ear]. Without treatment, cholesteatoma can lead to hearing loss, vestibular dysfunction, loss of facial nerve function and disturbances in the sense of taste.
“People often ask, ‘How on earth do you do this job!’ I always reply, ‘Because I love being able to make a difference – whether that is by restoring hearing, giving advice about tinnitus, helping with eustachian tube dysfunction, or helping patients with or without hearing aids.
“I can help able-bodied patients, patients with learning difficulties, patients with physical disabilities and the younger generation. I am also able to help children as young as three.”
The company has been running since 2022, and Ruth is determined to prevent issues like social isolation, which can be linked to a deterioration in hearing health. She says her work also indirectly benefits patients’ family, friends and carers.
“I have cried with patients, parents and children,” says Ruth. “The impact I can make on someone’s life is incredible and positive. I want to offer the community a relaxed, efficient and individual experience in a friendly and welcoming space.”
It is not just ear health that Ruth has supported patients with; she has also signposted them to other services when she suspects they may need different types of support.
“Recently, a patient thanked me as I signposted him to go to his GP about a skin lesion on the top of his head. I suspected what it was. He was treated for a pre-cancerous lesion and is now being investigated for a basal cell carcinoma,” explained Ruth.
“Thank you to all of my patients. I’m so proud and grateful to be able to help!”
The clinic is based in the Family Chiropractic Centre on Spa Road.
For more information about Simply Earwax Removal, visit the website https://www.simplyearwaxremoval.co.uk/ or call 07872 579053.
