Hear To Help – Oracle Ear Care

Hear To Help Oracle Ear Care

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Lockdown hasn’t been great for our mental wellbeing, it’s been a lonely experience for some. Similarly, hearing issues can mean you are missing out on so much and can leave you feeling just as isolated. Jane Dale talks to Sereta Parker at Oracle Ear Care.

Struggling to hear the knock at the door, the phone ring or other people’s conversation can leave you in a lonely place. Help is at hand however.

Oracle Ear Care opened in November 2020 in Thame, offering ear wax removal by microsuction and irrigation. This family-run business was the brainchild of 23-year-old Director, Priya Parker, who is currently studying for her Masters in Crime Science at UCL. “I thought the name was perfect”, says Priya, “In ancient times ‘Oracle’ was the name of a person or agency who gives advice, and ‘auricle’ is the name for the outside of the ear”.

Priya worked with her mother, audiologist and ear care clinician, Sereta Parker, in a local audiology centre where she recognised her mother’s care and diligence when dealing with patients.

She had the idea of a dedicated ear care clinic, focused on managing ear wax and general ear health. “Sadly, some businesses had to close for good during the pandemic. This meant that a lot of properties came on to the market”, Priya says. “We walked into what used to be ‘The White House’ and thought, perfect!”. The business is well positioned with free parking a two-minute walk away and is easy to spot – opposite The Cross Keys pub. There is also level access at the rear of the building for those with mobility issues. Sereta is a ‘dementia friend’ and understands the difficulties and anxieties dementia sufferers can experience when attending a healthcare appointment.

You will always get a warm welcome at Oracle. The mum and daughter team worked hard to give the clinic a sense of peace and tranquillity – they have certainly achieved what they set out to do. The reception area is tastefully decorated, and the clinical rooms are fitted out to the highest specification. There is an ENT operating microscope so that the inside of the ear canal can be seen in detail. Ear canals come in all shapes and sizes and it is crucial to be able to see well when undertaking microsuction safely. Irrigation (using a gentle pulse of water) is still used as a backup to microsuction, “I often see ears which have been overtreated with drops, rendering microsuction ineffective and unsafe. When the clinician can no longer see where the eardrum is because it is covered in liquified wax, it is important to have a back-up plan. A gentle flush of water will take the liquified wax off the eardrum safely, restoring hearing immediately.” The new irrigation machines are no longer like the old fashioned ‘jet wash’, they have variable speeds starting at just a gentle trickle.

People often say how comfortable they feel coming into the clinic. “If you have a problem with your ears, we are here to help – even if it’s just a bit of free advice”, says Sereta. There is no automated telephone system – you will just get a friendly voice helping you to book or to give advice. One of the bonuses of being a new business is that you can often get a same day appointment – crucial if you have pain, infection or dizziness.

There is a ‘no ear wax – no charge’ policy at Oracle and Sereta often gives a free 10-minute triage appointment to help local GPs with their patients’ ear problems. This ensures everyone can access free advice when needed. Some people are reluctant to bother their GPs but are desperate for help with ear wax removal. “Blocked ears can be very debilitating and isolating,’’ says Sereta. “With the decline in NHS provision of ear wax removal, a lot of people are turning to home remedies which can be ineffective and damaging to the ear”.

If you have been struggling with your ears lately then it may be time to consult a professional. If you have experienced tinnitus (any sound in the ear not caused by an external source) or slight dizziness, both could be caused by a build-up of wax and can be easily rectified. A simple look into the ear canal with a video otoscope (a specialised ear camera) can reveal a lot of information.

An exciting development at Oracle is the introduction of a live feed to the operating microscope. You can then choose to watch the whole process of your wax removal on a screen if you wish. It can be very satisfying!

What does the future hold for Oracle?

From spring 2021 Oracle introduces its ‘hearing test suite’. With state-of-the-art equipment, Oracle will be able to investigate any hearing issues you may have. Sereta says, “One of the problems with everyone wearing masks is that we can’t lip read. This has highlighted some people’s hearing issues they didn’t realise they had”. We all take our ears for granted until something happens. We are very good at going to the dentist or getting an eye test, but most people go through life without ever having a hearing check. In the UK, 1 in 6 of the UK adult population is affected by hearing loss and 8 million of these are aged 60 and over.

Sereta says, “I think a lot of people are put off having a hearing test for fear that they will be pressured into wearing hearing aids”. Oracle does not provide hearing aids but can give you an in-depth analysis of your hearing and impartial advice on your next steps should you wish to take them. Taking the first step towards help with your hearing can be quite daunting but Oracle will make that step easy, enjoyable and stress free.

Oracle Ear Care is also very proud to announce the opening of their training suite, Oracle Training. Sereta Parker and Jo Green (regional trainer for the NHS Primary Ear Care and Audiology Centre), are offering microsuction and irrigation courses to NMC and HCPC registered health professionals. “There is a real need for good training and mentorship to ensure the procedure of ear wax removal is done safely”. Having clocked up thousands of hours of experience between them, Sereta and Jo are well placed to provide training to a high standard.

If you are interested in training and hold the recognised registration, please contact Jo Green at joanna.green1@btinternet.com

All members of staff you meet at Oracle Ear Care have been vaccinated and there are strict protocols in place to keep staff and members of the public safe.

To find out more about ear wax removal or problems you may have with your hearing please contact 01844 617 478. Priya and Sereta will be happy to chat with you.

You can read more articles like this one in the latest edition of Thame Out.

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