wax in ears, recommend an otoscope ear cleaning kit please???

[PirateSwash]

i have wax in one of my ears that's quite itchy sometimes.

I bought an otoscope that you can plug into your phone and attach ear cleaning tools to, but it doesn't bloody work (i think it's the software that's failing) and the company I got if from (in China) keep sending me round in circles.

Can anyone recommend a reliable one?

I've used a large syringe with warm water before, but it took a long time🤔

What is an otoscope?

Audiclens do a brilliant ear cleaning system- just under a tenner and it pumps ionic salt water into the ears to dislodge wax- it uses a nozzle attached to a pump can full of the ionised salt water. very gentle and effective.

When I haven't a spare tenner I use Care Sodium Bicarb Ear drops- much less messy and hassly than olive oil. it is less than £4 too.

My ear canals are very narrow and am very wax prone so tend to clean them daily to avoid infections/impactions. When I have been lazy I have often need antibiotics for raging infections caused by infected wax but I have never ever had to have my ears actually syringed, thanks to Sodium Bicarb or Audicleanse

thanks whoissylvia, an otoscope is a thing you use to look in ears, in this case it's a tiny camera and you attach the cleaning tools to the end of the camera. Do you know if the bicarb drops can be used on 4 year olds and do you need to do it for 2 wks like olive oil, that's one of the most annoying things for me about the olive oil method that i have to use on my 4 year old.

@PirateSwash

thanks whoissylvia, an otoscope is a thing you use to look in ears, in this case it's a tiny camera and you attach the cleaning tools to the end of the camera. Do you know if the bicarb drops can be used on 4 year olds and do you need to do it for 2 wks like olive oil, that's one of the most annoying things for me about the olive oil method that i have to use on my 4 year old.

Two weeks according to the packet. Every two weeks.

wow- otoscopes sound pretty technical and cool. Bet they expensive though. Do you have an Amplivox near you or a Boots hearing centre? They may be able to advise on getting hold of a kit with an otoscope?

If possible do not syringe your ears, it can cause long term hearing problems and risk of perforation. Bicarbonate can be used as it helps dissolve the wax, for children use olive oil. Never syringe a child’s ears. The pro pulse is probably the safest way if you must syringe them. Try to avoid using cotton buds as the small fibres give the wax something to cling to.
An otoscope is only a tool to examine the ears.

I'm a returner to Mumsnet- but a few months ago someone on here admitted they used a waterpik thingy from an electric toothbrush and filled it with warm water to deal with their ear wax impaction and it worked a treat. I would think a 4 year old's ears may be a bit sensitive for that though!

@Pixxie7

If possible do not syringe your ears, it can cause long term hearing problems and risk of perforation. Bicarbonate can be used as it helps dissolve the wax, for children use olive oil. Never syringe a child’s ears. The pro pulse is probably the safest way if you must syringe them. Try to avoid using cotton buds as the small fibres give the wax something to cling to. An otoscope is only a tool to examine the ears.

I second what you say about cotton buds- really dangerous and just push wax down deeper. My mum (and she a trained nursely nurse!) used them on me and my sister's ears in the early 80s. I am shocked, looking back. Current advice is not to use them for ears.

Don’t use a waterpik ffs it’s like a power hose for blasting plaque off your teeth....I’m pretty sure it would cause serious damage.

thanks you everyone, I do have a Boots near me but it's too small to have an ear-cleaning service.

I have a wax problem and want an otoscope ear cleaning kit for me.

For my 4yo I'm stuck with bloody olive oil by the looks of things :-(

This all sounds like a fab way to damage your ears and lose your hearing altogether, but if clean ears are more important than working ears, crack on!

Do you squirt water up your nose to make sure your nostrils are completely clean too?

Has anyone tried one of those spiral wax remover thingies?
The principle sounds fine.

I used a waterpik on dh's ear, after putting drops in for a week. But you can't direct the water straight into the ear. I used it at an angle so the pressure was hitting the upper entrance to the ear. It did the trick. I wouldn't use it on a child though.

Thick Cable tie works sooooo good bend the tip a bit and you ha e a nice stiff "scoopc

Do you squirt water up your nose
Actually yes I use a neti pot everyday and find it very helpful, it's more pouring than squirting though and I agree that you have to be careful with your ears, ear wax is tricky stuff 😖

Do you squirt water up your nose to make sure your nostrils are completely clean too?

Erm yes, when my sinuses are blocked

www.rightnutri.co.uk/neilmed-sinus-rinse-starter-kit-includes-10-premixed-sachets-1-bottle-10-sachets

I have a 4 year old with chronic hearing issues as a result of glue ear - had grommets and now we're back to massive wax build-up.. He's obviously a special case but the ENT Guy was quite clear in his advice that doctors no longer recommend syringing at all, including for adults. It can go wrong and leave you with permanent damage. My mother had hers go wrong and she has labyrinthitis as a result.

I've just ordered one of these, used it yesterday for the first time, quick, easy painless and cheap!!!

@Flappingflamingo

I've just ordered one of these, used it yesterday for the first time, quick, easy painless and cheap!!!

Have you used it yet?

The reviews are pretty bad but at least it's only a few £ if it doesn't work.

@happinessischocolate

This all sounds like a fab way to damage your ears and lose your hearing altogether, but if clean ears are more important than working ears, crack on!

Do you squirt water up your nose to make sure your nostrils are completely clean too?

I have had wax build up in my ears my whole life - it seriously affects my ability to hear, so it's not just some daft over cleanliness thing.

@Flappingflamingo

I've just ordered one of these, used it yesterday for the first time, quick, easy painless and cheap!!!

I bought one as well and used it exactly according to instructions - and now I think I’ve got a perforated eardrum! Absolutely deaf in one ear, apart from a slight whistle

The nurse at the GP syringes my ears when they get blocked.

@Iadoremylabrador
I used it as soon as it came and strangely enough the ear I thought was blocked had nothing in it but I got some wax out the other ear 😕 so I've only done it once but it worked great for me

I daren't try the other ear.
Glad yours worked. Maybe I've got short auditory canals or something.