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. 😥

Otex and Ceromol both irritate my ears unfortunately so they are pretty much a no-no...

@MabelFurball oh you would know. Very full feeling in ears and hearing loss to the point where you literally can't hear through the ear. And sometimes weird wooshing sensation.

Dh jumped from a height into a freezing cold river, worked a treat. I believe it was the highlight of his holiday

Hydrogen peroxide- use a 3% solution, drop into ears with a syringe and lay on your side for a few minutes to let it fizz. Wipe ear gently afterwards.

Works very well.

Specsavers do it for £35 an ear... but they do ask you to do the olive oil for a few days first.

Otex drops worked quite well on mine. I love the bubbling sensation. After a few days I started getting random bits of wax working their way out. It was lovely

amazon have it but it’s cheaper in bodycare I think. (I wouldn’t recommend the water bulb thing as it’s too tempting to overdo the pressure...)

Oh sorry OP, just saw your Otex comment. No good then.

Wait, you can do it with your water flosser? Please tell me more!

Found a local private clinic for DH, who had been driven mad with blocked ears. Microsuction was £50 for both ears, well worth the money. GP surgery won't do ears any more, they just prescribe rubbish drops which don't work.

I have very narrow ear canals and suffer from excess ear wax build-up quite easily, leading to blockage and hearing loss. Microsuction is BY FAR THE BEST, THE MOST EFFECTIVE and QUICKEST method to remove the blockage. For me, it's painless with very little discomfort. I could hear loud and clearly instantly after the treatment. I couldn't recommend microsuction more. I've tried all the standard home remedies (except ear candles, which I just don't believe): olive oil, sodium bicarbontate eardrops, spray, syringe kit, soft-tip applicator, etc. Nothing helps, except microsuction. The only downside is the cost (about £35 per hear in central London on average) but for the instant and massive relief from the blockage, hearing loss and imbalance makes it all the the while as far as I'm concerned. There are several ear clinics in Harley street; I personally recommend Hearology (multiple locations in central London). I was able to book an appointment with them right the next day and retook my hearing (and life quality) back.

Oh no, does ear candling not work? I've always been tempted to try it.

No, ear candling is nonsense. It doesn't work.

Ear candling does not work, there is zero evidence behind it. The residue is just stuff that gets left in the candle when it gets burnt. It’s a load of rubbish.

Probably not lot of help but I see an ENT twice a year for a certain condition and they remove any wax in seconds (literally). So much easier than faffing around otherwise. Appreciate it doesn't help unless you need to see an ENT for purposes other than wax build up though so I guess hope for a condition where you need to see one regularly (joking) .

As others have mentioned, syringing is being phased out by GPs. (Whoever carried out the syringing, doctors or nurses, cannot see what's inside the ear in detail unless they have very specific equipment). If you do get referred by your GP to some hospital for treatment, the hospital in question doesn't necessarily have the most advance microsuction machine, and if they do, I personally can't bear all the weeks' waiting while the hearing loss remains. So even though I had to fork out to go private for a microsuction treatment, the convenience of being seen immediately and the instant relief from the thorough wax removal from both ears did make me feel less annoyed about the cost.

After reading this thread I booked an appointment at Blooms (the specsavers of hearing) and had micro suction today. It costs £35 for one or £55 for two ears.
Bliss.