Delivery of remote otology care: a UK pilot feasibility study

 

Research Study
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8830265

A UK pilot feasibility study conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic tested whether remote otology care could be safely and effectively delivered in the community using the TympaHealth ear and hearing health solution.

The study was carried out at the Royal National ENT Hospital in London, in collaboration with Boots Hearingcare, and published in the peer-reviewed BMJ Open Quality journal.

Traditionally, otology patients are referred from primary care into hospital-based ENT clinics for hearing assessments, examinations, and treatment. The pandemic accelerated the need for alternative care pathways, reducing face-to-face appointments while tackling long waiting lists.

Using TympaHealth’s ear and hearing health solution, patients attended community-based clinics led by audiologists. Still and video images of the eardrum were captured alongside audiometric data, which were then reviewed remotely by ENT specialists.

Impact

  • 58 patients participated in the pilot.
  • 75% had their hospital pathway shortened by at least one visit.
  • 65% avoided any hospital attendance altogether.
  • 95% diagnostic concordance was demonstrated when cases were validated by a consultant otologist.
  • 98% of patients reported being satisfied with their care.

Importantly, the service was shown to be safe and non-inferior to the traditional outpatient model, demonstrating the potential of TympaHealth-enabled pathways to transform ENT care.

Outcome

The study concluded that a remote otology service is feasible, clinically robust, and highly valued by patients. It highlighted the opportunity to:

  • Deliver audiology-led community clinics to reduce pressure on hospitals.
  • Support GPs with remote advice and guidance, preventing unnecessary referrals.
  • Enable future pathways such as audiology-led cholesteatoma surveillance or wax removal services in the community.

By shifting care closer to home, TympaHealth empowers healthcare systems to cut waiting times, reduce hospital footfall, and improve patient access to essential ear and hearing health services.