Best solution for a blocked ear

[garlicandsapphires]

Any recommendations for DIY ear syringing. I’ve heard of ear candles, seen screwy things advertised to me on DM, ear drops.
One ear feels very blocked.
thanks!

Warm (not hot) olive oil every day for a week.

Just some olive oil. Some of these fancy ear drops have the stuff you bleach your hair with in it.

But how does olive oil get all the crap out??
I feel I want suction

I had some success with olive oil, slightly warm (ie dripped off a warm teaspoon). Not hot!

I’ve also had micro-suction previously; that’s pretty effective (if alarmingly squeaky).

Not if it’s an infection though — let any infection clear up completely before you tackle the blockage.

Personally I think ear candles are a bit snakeoil-y. But others may have had success with them.

Yeah and the smell is quite something isn’t it?

I get blocked ears fairly regularly, assumed it was wax but olive oil etc did nothing.

Then I got one of these little beauties, to take a look.

HERE

Fascinating! (No wax for me though, just likely a pressure thing, I should probably get it checked out.)

Best drops I have tried are Otex Express. After a few days, felt a lot better.

My DH has suffered with problems with blocked ears for years. He always uses this ear bulb and it works brilliantly

www.boots.com/otex-express-combi-pack-10ml-10093957

Morning, If you think it’s just wax build up….Lukewarm extra virgin olive oil. Pop it in the ear with a cotton ball as a barrier to escape. You might have to do this a few times. Don’t be tempted to put anything in the ear canal. Ear candles should be done by a pro and even then an ENT professional would probably say they could cause damage to the cell membrane in the ear as they can get quite hot.

Your glands could be making your ear feel blocked. Or an ear infection. Are you feeling well? My ears feel blocked when my immune system starts to fight infection.

Air pressure too can have a bearing. We live in high up in the Moors. This can make your ears pop, depending on the weather.

Before trying any DIY ear treatments try to ascertain the cause and if in doubt see your GP. As a last resort they may syringe the ear.

Hope that helps.

Microsuction is the only way for me. I have regular microsuction, every few months (costing me £60 each time).

I had this really badly. I tried oil, ear drops etc and couldn’t afford it to be fine privately at the time. My friend gave me this fab gadget thing which was made of rubber, you fill it with water and whoosh it in your ear. Worked first time. The relief!

As PP said, warm olive oil. Ideally twice a day for at least a week. Don't put cotton wool in, it just wicks it out and bits can get stuck to the wax. Leave it to soak in with your head on it's side for 5 min or so then wipe away the excess with tissue.

The express drops do work well for some, but I never recommend them as they can be irritating to the skin in your ear canal. The home bulbs/syringes can work if you're gentle and careful. If your GP surgery does irrigation (many don't) then they will usually ask that you've tried drops for a week or two.

Ear candles? No, there's no evidence they work and can be dangerous. Screwy/poky things may work but again, dangerous as you can't see what you're doing.

Mocrosuction is great, but will cost you.

I think that's probably the ear bulb I linked below. It's a miraculous little gadget!

Yes @Icequeen01 that is very like the one I had, bloody marvellous!

My dh used to have regular problems with his ears feeling blocked especially after swimming. One holiday he went to a chemist and purchased one of the rubber bulb syringes - it worked like magic! He uses it regularly years later and often calls me in the bathroom to admire the sinkful of wax and hairs that it blasts out

Depends what’s causing the blocked ear.

If it’s definitely wax then I don’t find olive oil too beneficial, Otex Express is our go to remedy. Both my son and I have bother with our ears.

I currently have a blocked ear (and tinnitus)right now but I’m just recovering from covid and know it’s due to that and not ear wax. So wouldn’t risk anything in my ear at this point. It’s been about 12 days now.

its not unusual for me to get blocked ears after a cold and have needed anti-biotic drops (prescribed) to actually clear it, long after the cold has gone.

Sorry posted as a new member on the wrong thread! New to Mumsnet, my apologies

I second this, brilliant thing, my son gets really bad blocked ears and this sorts it straight away. We just use warm water in ours not Otex.