Blocked ear

[Lozw86]

Every couple of years I seem to get blocked ear(s) due to wax build up, resulting in impaired hearing. The routine usually goes: Ear drops for 5-7 days > attend doctors surgery > irrigate ear > back to normal

Currently unable to access irrigation treatment I have been using Otex Sodium Bicarbonate ear drops for 2 weeks now, and have tried careful home irrigation with a large syringe. This has been unsuccessful. Nothing is visible and I am refraining from inserting anything into my ear

There is no pain, my ear is just blocked with hardened wax. I’m fed up of being half deaf now.

Has anyone any suggestions or recommendations please?

[funkyrobot]

Lozw86 said:

Every couple of years I seem to get blocked ear(s) due to wax build up, resulting in impaired hearing. The routine usually goes: Ear drops for 5-7 days > attend doctors surgery > irrigate ear > back to normal

Currently unable to access irrigation treatment I have been using Otex Sodium Bicarbonate ear drops for 2 weeks now, and have tried careful home irrigation with a large syringe. This has been unsuccessful. Nothing is visible and I am refraining from inserting anything into my ear

There is no pain, my ear is just blocked with hardened wax. I’m fed up of being half deaf now.

Has anyone any suggestions or recommendations please?

I'm suffering with exactly the same thing. Right ear blocks up every now and again. No irrigation service provided by my docs anymore.

Bought the Otex drops on Monday and started using them. Since then, complete blockage just like you. No pain etc, just blocked.

Sorry I can't recommend anything. It's a real pain though isn't it.

[A500leroy]

https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/health/st0798...

[So]

Lozw86 said:

Every couple of years I seem to get blocked ear(s) due to wax build up, resulting in impaired hearing. The routine usually goes: Ear drops for 5-7 days > attend doctors surgery > irrigate ear > back to normal

Currently unable to access irrigation treatment I have been using Otex Sodium Bicarbonate ear drops for 2 weeks now, and have tried careful home irrigation with a large syringe. This has been unsuccessful. Nothing is visible and I am refraining from inserting anything into my ear

There is no pain, my ear is just blocked with hardened wax. I’m fed up of being half deaf now.

Has anyone any suggestions or recommendations please?

Drip warm olive oil into your ear 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days. Lay on the unblocked side for a while. Resume normal posture.

My sister in law recommends the above and she is head of audiology for somewhere.

However, an infection can mimic a waxed-up ear, so if the above doesn't work you'll need to see the quack.

[hongkongdonkey]

I have suffered with this intermittently for years. I've been referred to ENT twice and they have been useless. As it happens my girl was referred to ENT as she suffers from this too. She was given some plastic thing with a balloon that you put over your nostril and then had to blow up the balloon. While showing her what to do my ear seemed to unblock and has been fine since. I'm not sure if you can buy them anywhere though.

[Lozw86]

A500leroy said:

https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/health/st0798...

Thanks, but the reviews are not encouraging. Have you used this device?

[abzmike]

I've had the same thing intermittently for years... Late last year I got some of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/VOEER-Safe-Flexible-Ear-C...

I use them, carefully, in the shower, and they really provide a clear out. After a few days wax is gone.

Your experience may vary, and again be careful, but they work for me.

[Lozw86]

So said:

Drip warm olive oil into your ear 2-3 times a day for 2-3 days. Lay on the unblocked side for a while. Resume normal posture.

My sister in law recommends the above and she is head of audiology for somewhere.

However, an infection can mimic a waxed-up ear, so if the above doesn't work you'll need to see the quack.

Thanks. I have used olive oil in the past and might go back to it as I don’t think you’re supposed to use sodium bicarbonate ear drops for a prolonged period

As I understand it, olive oil is a milder option but can work to soften the wax over time

[A500leroy]

Lozw86 said:

A500leroy said:

https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/health/st0798...

Thanks, but the reviews are not encouraging. Have you used this device?

yes its not perfect but if the wax is soft enough it does get rid of some it.

[rallye101]

I filled my sink with hot water and got the turkey baster out, 5 squirts later and tons of crap flew out...(I'm not a doctor though BTW)

[Noodle1982]

I've never had an issue with blocked ears until a few months back. Popped to the docs and he confirmed that they were well and truly blocked.

Had to make an appointment with the local ear hole guy which would have also cost £60.

I took matters into my own hands. 5 minutes later with the use of a cocktail stick both lug holes were cleaned out.

The block of built up wax that came out of each year turned my stomach. They were solid black lumps.

I then used ear drops to clear out the left over loose bits.

I don't recommend my method but it felt bloody good!

[Steve91]

rallye101 said:

I filled my sink with hot water and got the turkey baster out, 5 squirts later and tons of crap flew out...(I'm not a doctor though BTW)

I do this. You can buy specific ones for cleaning ears. I do olive oil drops for a week and then warm water blasted gently in does do the job.

[anonymous-user]

Olive oil has always worked for me. Lay on my side for a good 10 mins to let it properly soak in. Usually comes out in the shower in a few days (yuck)!

[The Mad Monk]

Lozw86 said:

Every couple of years I seem to get blocked ear(s) due to wax build up, resulting in impaired hearing. The routine usually goes: Ear drops for 5-7 days > attend doctors surgery > irrigate ear > back to normal

Currently unable to access irrigation treatment I have been using Otex Sodium Bicarbonate ear drops for 2 weeks now, and have tried careful home irrigation with a large syringe. This has been unsuccessful. Nothing is visible and I am refraining from inserting anything into my ear

There is no pain, my ear is just blocked with hardened wax. I’m fed up of being half deaf now.

Has anyone any suggestions or recommendations please?

Olive oil in the ears. Use one of those little dropper things. It will take at least a week to work.

You should try to avoid having your ears syringed, if you can.

[jules_s]

I had the same about 6 months ago

The tri jet syringes really work after a series of drops

[AAGR]

Who was the media-savvy doctor who once counselled against digging out the wax with things on sticks, saying that 'the smallest thing you should use is an elbow ....'

[luckyal]

I also suffer and last time it flared up it was suggested to me that micro suction was a better option. Weird sensation having a delicate hoovering of your ears but the end result was visibly shocking lumps and clearer ears for longer than I’ve had before with some of the methods above.

[The Mad Monk]

Ear doctors have told me that the more you clean and syringe your ears, the more they will need doing.

[Andeh1]

Common issue for me as well. I do warm olive oil a few days, then with a hot shower head on the "jet setting" (turned down a bit) sit there letting the hot water flush my ear out... After 5-10mins the stuff all comes out.

Don't stick anything in your ear!

[apotek]

google Rat Tailed ear syringe should do what you want used gently with warm water