Why I Said No to The Norm — And Found Something Better: A Home Visit That Changed Everything

Charlotte Stanley
Apr 25
4 min read

I was drenched from the rain, my NHS blue community dress clinging to me, shoes squelching with every step as I made my way up to the door. My arms were full — one clutching my phone and diary, the other struggling to balance all the equipment bags I needed for the home visit. It was one of those days where everything felt heavy — not just physically, but emotionally too.

I had been called out to a home visit for a patient who had been struggling with stubborn earwax. She was bed-bound, and though we had tried multiple treatments, the wax wouldn’t budge. This wasn’t just another routine treatment; this was personal. I had been in her position before, trying to make a difference but feeling stuck, frustrated with outdated equipment and processes that just weren’t working.

But this time, it was different. I wasn’t just dealing with the frustration of my patients — I was living it myself. My three-year-old daughter had been struggling with constant ear blockages and infections. She didn’t have hearing aids, but those recurring infections and blockages were having a huge impact on her hearing. And due to COVID, ear care services had been severely cut back. I was told that my daughter would have to wait 63 weeks for an appointment. 63 weeks.

At that moment, I wasn’t just frustrated as a healthcare professional — I was frustrated as a mum, facing a system that wasn’t meeting the needs of my own child. She was stuck in a silent world, unable to hear properly because of the wax buildup and infections in her ears. And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what I was doing for my patients wasn’t enough. The equipment I had been using for years wasn’t cutting it, and it wasn’t just about making my job easier — it was about the quality of life for the people I cared for, especially for my daughter.

I had debated going into the ear care space for a while. As much as I hated the long hours and stress, I loved my job. The NHS was safe. It was a guarantee of work , even with all the challenges. But the idea of investing money into a totally new machine, one that hadn’t even been verified for UK use, felt like **a massive risk**. I didn’t know how much of “me”, Charlotte — the wound care and palliative care nurse for the local district nursing team — would be able to achieve such a feat. But I did it.

I researched, and I researched, and I researched some more. Breaking my back was my “Hail Mary” moment that forced me to put on my big girl pants and contacted the company directly. Within a month, they flew over from the U.S. to meet me, and from that moment on, the rest was history.

The Turning Point

As I struggled with the limitations of my life& current equipment, I knew something had to change. I couldn’t keep going in circles with outdated methods & an injury which would make working life more challenging. This was no longer just about my work — it was about finding a solution that could actually make a difference in the real world. I needed something that worked now — for my daughter, for my patients, for me.

This machine wasn’t just another device. It was **the most trusted machine used by the biggest names in audiology across America**, and it was covered by U.S. healthcare insurance companies. It could even be used on children — a massive advantage over other devices.

Now, I love micro-suction, and I absolutely recognise its role in audiology, especially in cases where precision is needed. But my daughter? She was **terrified** of it. The loud noise, the invasive nature — it was just too much for her little brain to comprehend. But when I used the "water pistol," as she called it, on her ears, the relief was almost instantaneous. The wax melted and poured out of her little ear within seconds, something that would have taken **more than one or two attempted refills** with the old machine. And there was no fight, no struggle to keep her still because it was non-invasive and comfortable for her.

I had already had the privilege of using the device within my first meeting with the company, and I knew from a professional standpoint that it was an absolute game-changer. But as a mum? The moment my daughter was no longer miserable, no longer terrified of the process, that was my final win. The relief I felt watching her smile again was worth every risk I had taken.

Changing the Narrative

From there on out, it was a year of phone calls, emails, and discussions back and forth with various agencies, insurance companies, establishments, and government bodies to get the Earigator where we have it today in the UK.

And honestly, I feel like this is only the beginning. This is just the **stepping stone** in the right direction.

I am making it my mission to blaze a new innovative trail in ear care — one where care is as accessible, efficient, and safe as it can get. The journey hasn’t been easy, but I’m here to do it so others can follow my lead. The system isn’t perfect, but we have the power to change it

— and that’s exactly what I plan to do.