Alternative ways to remove ear wax

[NooNooHead]

Sorry for the gross subject but I am going insane with both my ears blocked with wax... I usually get them syringed but now my doctors’ surgery has decided it is no longer doing ear syringing (don’t ask why - apparently it has been decided generally across the NHS that it will be better practice for people to keep ear wax in as it is naturally occurring and ears need it..!), I am not sure how I am supposed to remove my ear wax.

I’m no stranger to my ears being blocked and having problems: I have high frequency hearing loss and my ears get blocked a lot - but I am seriously going to have to get some kind of DIY kit or something as I can’t live with being this deaf. I know that people will suggest things like ear candling but I am very sceptical that there is any scientific evidence this works, so sensible suggestions only please.

Obviously I am going to use olive oil to soften the wax as I usually have to do this before syringing, so I will be doing it this time minus the end result... 😳🙄

Thanks in advance and empathy / sympathy to fellow ear wax sufferers. It is crappy. I remember one time at work I had to get people to write things down, it was that bad. 😥

Microsuction. I know lots of places have stopped syringing as it can damage the ear. I also see that warmed olive oil has fallen out of favour (it is shit anyway). So I think microsuction is the only real alternative. It can be quite expensive, but is really effective.

Thank you - I think my GP mentioned that my local hospital or another GP surgery offered this as a last resort but I would need a referral and only would be offered it after I had shown that I was using olive oil for a week.,.

I can’t afford to pay for it privately so it looks like I might be waiting a while..! What is microsuction anyway? 😝

Just don't fall for the old Hopi Ear Candling shite.

Just use some drops like Cerumol - they soften the wax and it either falls out or you can remove it with a cotton bud.

Boots do ear hoovering near me for £30

Get an ear wax syringe from amazon

I second @luckycat007. It can take a while but it does work. So satisfying when the wax starts coming out. Costs about £10.

Anyone remember the thread on here about microsuctioning last year? I will see if I can find a link.

I'm intrigued by the home-use syringe from Amazon. Is it difficult ? Can you do it yourself or easier if someone does for you?

I know it's a pain but if you can go private and pay for microsuction. There are ear centre's available where you can have this done.

Try bicarbonate soda drops too from your chemist.

I took my aunt for micro suction privately last year. Cost about thirty pounds I think.

Definitely microsuction! I have it done every 6 months and it is amazing. Just one thing though, they won't want you to be putting in olive oil (or anything) in your ears if you're going to be getting it done. In the words of my (amazing) practitioner 'it's like trying to vaccum up custard if you put oil in there!'

Vision Express now do ear wax removal.

Specsavers do ear suctioning for £35 per ear.

Already know what my Christmas present from DH will be

My favourite way is using the water flossers DP uses for his teeth.

As a fellow ear wax sufferer - prevention! Olive oil every day will help stop the build up. (I know nobody actually does this but though it's worth mentioning.)

Fizzy drops work better - think they're the bicarbonate of soda ones - but I combine these with olive oil drops and otex when I've got a particularly stubborn lump.

Microsuction didn't work on me as the was was too hard. They had to syringe anyway and I had to go back twice to give it time to soften more with the drops. It is the best feeling ever and almost worth the deafness and pain beforehand for the satisfaction of it coming out - mmmmm

DIY kit. Medi grade wax remover on Amazon. Amazing. I was deaf for two weeks before this. It's a syringe you squirt water into your ears. It's cheap but effective.

use some olive oil or similar to soften the wax for a couple of days, then syringe them your self with warm soapy water over the sink. Works for me.

The ear-hoovering thread is in Classics, I believe.

Put ear wax removal into YouTube! You’ll go down a suctioning rabbit hole!!!

I’m with DontGoIntoTheLongGrass - DIY kit. I managed to go completely deaf after poking around with a cotton bud and it was driving me insane. Used the kit and loads of stuff cane flooding out my ear and the relief was amazing and hearing straight back to normal. I kept squirting & squirting until water came out clear and found you had to slightly vary angles a bit but would thoroughly recommend!

How do you know you've got an ear wax problem? I don't think my hearing is as good as it used to be, but is this just getting old-er?

I’m off to have my ears microsuctioned next week. My tinnitus is through the roof because if the wax build up. It is £50 for one ear and £80 for two where I am going. Seems to be the going rate where I live!

Thank you for all your replies. I’m pretty sure I have an ear wax problem as it sometimes shifts and my hearing comes back temporarily, plus I am familiar with the clogged up full feeling of the build up. Oh to have a decent pair of ears with normal hearing!🙄

I’m sure the going rate is around £80 for microsuction for both ears around here too. A lot of money I can’t really afford to be honest, but then you can’t put a price on health I guess...

I agree with the idea of using olive oil daily to help keep wax at bay but I honestly don’t think I would remember unless I decided to do it as soon as I got up... tricky with a three month old and sleep deprivation! 🤪

I have to say that I have been tempted by the DIY kits but am unsure whether they are safe enough for ears. I am sure if the wax was softened enough, it would probably be ok. Knowing my luck I would try it and end up with an ear infection instead! Ha ha!