The study by TympaHealth found that more than two-thirds of adults would welcome the use of AI in supporting ear and hearing health if it helped reduce waiting times (67%) or speed up assessment and referral (66%).

AI and machine learning technology can be used for wax detection, recognising characteristics and patterns in images and videos that have been labelled by human experts. This supports practitioners to identify the presence of ear wax more consistently during ear examinations.

Two in five adults (40%) that have experienced hearing loss said they regret not taking action sooner, while 28% assumed early symptoms were ‘just ageing'.

The findings also revealed that convenience and access is important with 37% of respondents stating 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. 

The study found that the most common trigger for action was hearing problems beginning to interfere with daily life (39%).

Dr Krishan Ramdoo, ENT surgeon and founder of TympaHealth, said: ‘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.

‘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.

‘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.'