Transforming Ear and Hearing care in the community: AI-Driven Diagnostics to improve access to care for patients on a global scale
Lead Participant:
TYMPA HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Abstract
TympaHealth is leading a project to transform how ear and hearing care is delivered in the community. At present, many people face long waits to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. In the NHS, more than 700,000 people are on waiting lists and referrals for ear and hearing issues make up almost 8 percent of all outpatient activity. Many of these referrals are for common conditions such as earwax build-up, infections, or early hearing loss that could be safely managed closer to home.
This project will build the world's first regulated diagnostic platform for ear and hearing health with artificial intelligence (AI) built in. The TympaHealth device already allows non-specialist health professionals, such as pharmacists and GPs, to carry out ear examinations, hearing checks and safe earwax removal. More than 300,000 patients have been assessed using the current system.
The new development will add real-time AI to support safe and accurate diagnosis at the point of care. The AI will help clinicians position the device correctly, check image quality, and give guidance on whether a referral is needed. It will provide clear explanations and confidence scores so that users can make reliable decisions. Importantly, the system will also work without needing an internet connection, which makes it suitable for use in both busy UK clinics and in international settings where connectivity may be limited.
The technology has already been shown to reduce pressure on hospitals. In an NHS pilot study, use of the TympaHealth device led to a 60 percent reduction in unnecessary ENT referrals, saving an estimated £68 for each patient episode. At national scale, this could mean tens of millions of pounds in savings each year, while giving patients quicker access to the care they need.
As well as improving efficiency, the project has wider benefits. Hearing loss affects one in six adults in the UK and is linked to social isolation, loss of independence and higher risk of dementia. By making ear and hearing care easier to access in the community, the project supports earlier treatment and helps reduce these longer-term health impacts.
This project represents a major step forward in making high quality ear and hearing care available to everyone, closer to where they live, in a safe and sustainable way.
This project will build the world's first regulated diagnostic platform for ear and hearing health with artificial intelligence (AI) built in. The TympaHealth device already allows non-specialist health professionals, such as pharmacists and GPs, to carry out ear examinations, hearing checks and safe earwax removal. More than 300,000 patients have been assessed using the current system.
The new development will add real-time AI to support safe and accurate diagnosis at the point of care. The AI will help clinicians position the device correctly, check image quality, and give guidance on whether a referral is needed. It will provide clear explanations and confidence scores so that users can make reliable decisions. Importantly, the system will also work without needing an internet connection, which makes it suitable for use in both busy UK clinics and in international settings where connectivity may be limited.
The technology has already been shown to reduce pressure on hospitals. In an NHS pilot study, use of the TympaHealth device led to a 60 percent reduction in unnecessary ENT referrals, saving an estimated £68 for each patient episode. At national scale, this could mean tens of millions of pounds in savings each year, while giving patients quicker access to the care they need.
As well as improving efficiency, the project has wider benefits. Hearing loss affects one in six adults in the UK and is linked to social isolation, loss of independence and higher risk of dementia. By making ear and hearing care easier to access in the community, the project supports earlier treatment and helps reduce these longer-term health impacts.
This project represents a major step forward in making high quality ear and hearing care available to everyone, closer to where they live, in a safe and sustainable way.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| TYMPA HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED | £1,994,264 | £ 1,994,264 |
People |
ORCID iD |
| John Maddison (Project Manager) |