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The safety and effectiveness of different methods of ear wax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation

The safety and effectiveness of different methods of ear wax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation
The safety and effectiveness of different methods of ear wax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation
Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural secretion produced to protect the inner ear from dirt and other fragments by moving these particles towards the outer ear. If this process does not happen properly, wax may build up causing blockage in the ear canal and the possibility of impaction. People with a build up of ear wax may suffer from hearing loss, discomfort and, on occasions, infection. It may present problems in assessing hearing, blocking the view of the ear drum during medical examination and interfering with the fitting or function of hearing aids. Although it is thought to affect between 2% and 6% of the population in the England and Wales, some groups may be at a higher risk, such as those using hearing aids or with small ear canals and/or skin conditions. Recurrence is thought to be high among some of these groups. The consequences of the build up of ear wax in the ear canal are thought to be a common reason for consultation and cost in general practice with over 2 million consultations per year in the NHS.

Methods of removal of ear wax include drops, flushing with water in general practice, and removal with suction or probes in specialist clinics. The relative safety and benefits of these different methods of removal remains uncertain. This research will systematically review published and unpublished evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of different methods for the removal of ear wax. Where appropriate, it will develop an economic model using data from this systematic review and other relevant sources to estimate the relative costs and benefits of different methods. In addition, the project will provide recommendations for future research to try to help answer any remaining areas of uncertainty.
earwax, systematic review, cost effectiveness, economic evaluation
1366-5278
1-191
Clegg, A.
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Loveman, E.
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Gospodarevskaya, E.
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Harris, P.
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Bird, A.
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Bryant, J.
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Scott, D.A.
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Davidson, P.
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Little, P.
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Coppin, R.
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Clegg, A.
838091f5-39df-4dbe-a369-675b26f2301b
Loveman, E.
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Gospodarevskaya, E.
bbd2d4e5-5f05-4f60-9ca0-646b3e565576
Harris, P.
a8bd143b-3e2c-4929-9279-510a4c60bd09
Bird, A.
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Bryant, J.
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Scott, D.A.
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Davidson, P.
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Little, P.
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Coppin, R.
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Clegg, A., Loveman, E., Gospodarevskaya, E., Harris, P., Bird, A., Bryant, J., Scott, D.A., Davidson, P., Little, P. and Coppin, R. (2010) The safety and effectiveness of different methods of ear wax removal: a systematic review and economic evaluation. Health Technology Assessment, 14 (28), 1-191. (doi:10.3310/hta14280). (PMID:20546687)

Record type: Article

Abstract

Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural secretion produced to protect the inner ear from dirt and other fragments by moving these particles towards the outer ear. If this process does not happen properly, wax may build up causing blockage in the ear canal and the possibility of impaction. People with a build up of ear wax may suffer from hearing loss, discomfort and, on occasions, infection. It may present problems in assessing hearing, blocking the view of the ear drum during medical examination and interfering with the fitting or function of hearing aids. Although it is thought to affect between 2% and 6% of the population in the England and Wales, some groups may be at a higher risk, such as those using hearing aids or with small ear canals and/or skin conditions. Recurrence is thought to be high among some of these groups. The consequences of the build up of ear wax in the ear canal are thought to be a common reason for consultation and cost in general practice with over 2 million consultations per year in the NHS.

Methods of removal of ear wax include drops, flushing with water in general practice, and removal with suction or probes in specialist clinics. The relative safety and benefits of these different methods of removal remains uncertain. This research will systematically review published and unpublished evidence on the clinical and cost effectiveness of different methods for the removal of ear wax. Where appropriate, it will develop an economic model using data from this systematic review and other relevant sources to estimate the relative costs and benefits of different methods. In addition, the project will provide recommendations for future research to try to help answer any remaining areas of uncertainty.

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Published date: 2010
Keywords: earwax, systematic review, cost effectiveness, economic evaluation

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 153113
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/153113
ISSN: 1366-5278
PURE UUID: 477e8e19-5925-48af-b871-dcb519f99574
ORCID for P. Harris: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-9257-3786
ORCID for D.A. Scott: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0001-6475-8046
ORCID for P. Davidson: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-0388-6356

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Date deposited: 18 May 2010 13:53
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 03:17

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Contributors

Author: A. Clegg
Author: E. Loveman
Author: E. Gospodarevskaya
Author: P. Harris ORCID iD
Author: A. Bird
Author: J. Bryant
Author: D.A. Scott ORCID iD
Author: P. Davidson ORCID iD
Author: P. Little
Author: R. Coppin

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