AI in pharmacies gains support for faster ear checks
UK adults are open to the use of artificial intelligence in ear and hearing care delivered by local providers, with many linking the technology to shorter waits and faster decisions, according to research commissioned by hearing health technology provider TympaHealth.
The survey found that 67% of adults would welcome AI in ear and hearing health if it reduced waiting times. A similar share (66%) would support its use if it sped up assessment and referral. The research covered more than 1,000 people across the UK aged 18 and over.
The findings come as the NHS and the wider health sector face pressure on access and capacity, and as community settings such as pharmacies take on a broader role in clinical services. Ear and hearing checks have traditionally taken place in GP surgeries, audiology clinics and hospitals, with routes into specialist care often starting with a primary care consultation.
Early action
The research suggests a gap between the first signs of hearing loss and people taking action. Two in five respondents (40%) who have experienced hearing loss said they regret not acting sooner. More than a quarter (28%) said they assumed early symptoms were "just ageing".
Hearing loss can develop gradually, and people do not always notice changes at first. The most common trigger for seeking help was when problems began to interfere with daily life, cited by 39% of respondents.
TympaHealth said the results point to demand for quicker routes into assessment. It also highlighted the role of convenience and cost. More than one in three respondents (37%) said they would be far more likely to address concerns if hearing checks were low-cost, while 28% said easier access would encourage them to act.
Pharmacy role
The results also suggest an opportunity for pharmacies to combine in-person care with AI-supported screening. Pharmacies are already high-footfall local health locations and have expanded clinical services in recent years, including vaccinations and minor ailment advice.
AI-supported screening in community settings could shorten the time between a person noticing symptoms and receiving an assessment. It could also standardise how information is captured during an examination. The approach still depends on clear clinical pathways for referral, particularly for cases requiring specialist input.
The research also tested sentiment towards GPs, pharmacists and audiologists using AI in ear and hearing health. The findings suggest trust in clinicians remains central, with technology seen as a route to speed and clarity rather than a replacement for face-to-face care.
Clinical oversight
Dr Krishan Ramdoo, ENT surgeon and founder of TympaHealth, described AI as a decision-support tool.
"Public confidence in healthcare providers using AI to support ear and hearing health is a really important signal. People want faster access, clearer answers and fewer barriers," he said.
He added that AI should sit alongside professional judgment.
"AI can now play an important role in supporting healthcare providers to have greater confidence in their assessment of a patient and determining next steps," he said.
"It is important to note that this should not replace clinical judgment, but we are already seeing that providers who utilise technology within ear and hearing health examinations have seen a positive impact in increased patients seen, ultimately driving revenue at a time of sustained cost pressures," he said.
The study was conducted by Obsurvant on behalf of TympaHealth and surveyed UK adults aged 18 to 65 and over. TympaHealth describes itself as a team of doctors and technology experts working with healthcare providers including pharmacies, care providers, audiology services and GPs, and providing technology, training, ongoing clinical support and referral pathways.
TympaHealth expects technology-led ear and hearing checks delivered through familiar local settings to play a growing role in earlier assessment and referral for people who might otherwise delay seeking help.