I've gone deaf...

[Pique]

For the past couple of weeks I have been struggling with partial hearing loss and general discomfort in my ears, from what I presumed was wax... Roll on today, and I'm posting this from a 90 degree angle, after putting some optrex in one of my lugholes. I've now gone from partial hearing loss, to full on, deaf-as-a-doorknob, blocked ear.

Whats the best way to get my hearing back?

[HeatonNorris]

WTF?!

You put eye drops in your ear?

[Digger]

Have you suffered from wax build-up before? I think you mean Otex btw? General advice is not to use drops such as Otex as they are quite harsh. Lightly-warmed Olive Oil is generally recommended for several days prior to getting your earwax removed. Book an appointment with the practice nurse or GP just to be on the safe side!

[Pique]

HeatonNorris said:

WTF?!

You put eye drops in your ear?

Otex not Optrex

[R300will]

I thought shell discontinued that line ages ago? seriously though have you been swimming lately or been poking st in your ears? are they itchy?

[Pique]

R300will said:

seriously though have you been swimming lately

Nope

R300will said:

poking st in your ears?

No, I found that makes a terrible mess of my pillow

R300will said:

are they itchy?

Not more than normal! They just started feeling blocked up, so being one to avoid the doc where possible stuck some drops in - now I can't hear!

[K77 CTR]

I suspect the drops are now sitting behind the wax up against the tympanic membrane preventing it from working normally. It might improve overnight as the drops might actually start breaking down the wax. Best to see the GP or practice nurse if it doesn't improve.

[steveT350C]

Getting your ears cleaned out at the docs is not as bad as you think.

[R300will]

Have you got a cold? or had one in the last couple of weeks?

[anonymous-user]

I have the same problem! Used Otex but no result so I ended up visiting the GP today! Turns out my ears are as clean as it can be and I have to have a hearing test now! I hardly listen to loud music and I'm only 22 FFS! I'm actually bricking it

[davepoth]

steveT350C said:

Getting your ears cleaned out at the docs is not as bad as you think.

It was not an entirely unpleasant feeling as I recall. A nurse did it for me. The side that I thought was blocked was quite loose from all of the ear drops, but when she tried the other side she had to ramp up the pressure to get a massive wax plug loose. All it needed was a wick...

[Steamer]

I'm fascinated by this (yer I know... its weird.. tell me something I dont know). But its just another wonder of the human body.

Never had this problem as such, but once after a rather vigorous cycling session I just happened to put my finger in my ear as was shocked to find a massive clump of wax!! No sign of any problems and I do like to keep them clean.

[hman]

I am now realising I am going deaf- its from exposure to loud engines, loud music, and loud bangs from the guns.

Will start wearing ear protection to save what I have left but I like my tunes LOUD in the car as I'm mostly on the motorway.

Still at least I've got my sight

[hidetheelephants]

I have had similar in the past; have a really hot shower(as hot as you can stand) and hold your head so the water goes in one ear, then the other, rinse and repeat. You may have to do it several times for stubborn/huge/alienfetus lumps.

[Tim16V]

There is a place in London called the Clear Ear Clinic - he just very carefully removes the hard wax with a suction machine after softening it. After trying drops and syringing at the Doctors (useless and messy) I had mine done there a while back and the transformation was unbelievable, life took on a whole new meaning as no effort was required to hear! Takes about 15 minutes.

If you can't get to London then have a look round to see who offers the facility nearer you - probably worth a day trip there though because of the result.

[hidetheelephants]

Tim16V said:

There is a place in London called the Clear Ear Clinic - he just very carefully removes the hard wax with a suction machine after softening it. After trying drops and syringing at the Doctors (useless and messy) I had mine done there a while back and the transformation was unbelievable, life took on a whole new meaning as no effort was required to hear! Takes about 15 minutes.

I have to say; that's a hell of a niche business to earn a living in, 'detailing' the insides of people's ears. Only in London!

[pherlopolus]

I've had HOPI ear candles done a couple of times, great big globs of wax have come out of my ears (after the docs declared them clear!), also helps with sinus issues.

I do have some mid/high frequency losses but having them candles made what hearing I do have better.

[JumboBeef]

hidetheelephants said:

I have to say; that's a hell of a niche business to earn a living in, 'detailing' the insides of people's ears. Only in London!

...and Japan:

http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/life/new-era-ear-cleani...

[Jonnas]

For the last couple of weeks I've been deaf as a post due to wax build up. Rang the docs and they told me to put olive oil in them for a week then call back. It was driving me mad so I gave hte candle things a go. Total waste of money IMO, the stuff that collects in the bottom is just the wax out of the candle I think!

Anyhoo, I bought the Otex kit with the drops and the little water squirter thing. Did the drops for three days, they are quite harsh but you can feel them working as they fizz in your ears a bit. After that, a bit of a squirt in each ear with warm water with the squirter and hey presto! A couple of minging chocolate coated raisin sized bits of wax later and I can now hear like Superman!

Brilliant stuff, worked a treat!

[Odie]

Get some ear picks and be very careful with them,

I use plastic toothpicks.

I have a massive ear wax problem.