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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about my blocked ear ...again!

52 replies

Coolieloach · 23/12/2020 16:32

I posted a couple of days ago about a build up in my ear which is completely blocked and I have no hearing. Got some great suggestions about applying olive oil and a couple of posters suggested getting one of those home irrigation kits to ‘flush out’ ear which I did yesterday after it arrived from Amazon.

This didn’t work, but I’m now in a panic because as well having a completely blocked ear it now hurts too. I’ve just read on the NHS website that you shouldn’t put water in your ears?! But surely this is what nurses do to flush out the wax?

I’m totally distraught that I appear to have made things worse, can anyone offer me any positive thoughts or advice? I know it’s pretty trivial in current circumstances but it’s tipping me over the edge mentally!

Thank you!

OP posts:
jiskoot · 23/12/2020 16:36

I had the same issue, ear drops/oil didn't work so I bought one of those irrigation things. Didn't work and I ended up with a (self diagnosed) ear infection shortly after and pain, sorry. Did clear itself up after a couple of weeks and the blockage cleared itself too. All good now. Not sure that helps you now though, mine did sort itself on its own.

RandomMess · 23/12/2020 16:40

My best advice for next time is to get it vacuumed out. Tends to last longer than other methods.

Original poster
Coolieloach · 23/12/2020 16:41

@jiskoot

I had the same issue, ear drops/oil didn't work so I bought one of those irrigation things. Didn't work and I ended up with a (self diagnosed) ear infection shortly after and pain, sorry. Did clear itself up after a couple of weeks and the blockage cleared itself too. All good now. Not sure that helps you now though, mine did sort itself on its own.
Thank you, good to know it sorted itself out. Just so cross with myself because I have made things so much worse!
OP posts:
QuentinWinters · 23/12/2020 16:42

Beconase up the nose. Try popping it too (I did post on last thread)

WhatDoHedgehogsSay · 23/12/2020 16:42

Why don’t you get it looked at by someone who knows what they’re doing.

musicinspring1 · 23/12/2020 16:43

I haven’t read your other thread sorry , but I had my ears cleared out my the practice nurse at my GPS surgery. This was after weeks of not being able to hear and applying oil drops etc daily. They ended up being painful so I phoned the GP and they arranged the nurse appointment. Was very satisfying seeing what came out ConfusedEnvy

BrassicaBabe · 23/12/2020 16:45

My ears have been bunged since April. GP won't help "because of Covid" Hmm

Nix32 · 23/12/2020 16:47

Our surgery don't do syringing any more, so my choices are oil (you need to persevere for a good week before seeing a difference - the oil will soften the wax and it will disperse naturally, but it's not quick) or going to a private clinic who use a mini hoover for £50. Any of those near you?

urbansprawl · 23/12/2020 16:49

Blocked ears are horrible, and the only thing that works for me is microsuction. The relief is indescribable! I'd see if you can get an NHS referral, or look into a local private provider (it isn't too badly priced as private services go). The process feels slightly odd (not painful) and you'll feel amazing afterwards.

musicinspring1 · 23/12/2020 16:50

Someone else told me they were surprised I got mine syringed at the doctors - does it make a difference if they’re painful ?? And you’ve promised you’ve tried every self help remedy for weeks ??? Mine being blocked also impacted my job which I did say (and was the truth!)

Original poster
Coolieloach · 23/12/2020 16:50

@WhatDoHedgehogsSay

Why don’t you get it looked at by someone who knows what they’re doing.
Erm because most HCP’s are preoccupied with COVID stuff and my GP surgery are not offering non urgent procedures or referrals
OP posts:
Pumpertrumper · 23/12/2020 16:52

DH is a doctor and we irrigated his ear at home using an Amazon kit. Is it a squeezable ball looking thing with a spout?

He had lost all hearing for about 2 days. It took AGES to finally get out a solid 5p piece size chunk of wax. You kinda have to stick with the irrigation it can take 30-60 mins of repeating.

I would give it a few goes, look in his ear with a torch, give it a few more goes... repeat.

It came eventually but my god it was gross

Original poster
Coolieloach · 23/12/2020 16:52

@musicinspring1

I haven’t read your other thread sorry , but I had my ears cleared out my the practice nurse at my GPS surgery. This was after weeks of not being able to hear and applying oil drops etc daily. They ended up being painful so I phoned the GP and they arranged the nurse appointment. Was very satisfying seeing what came out ConfusedEnvy
Ha ha I can imagine- I’ve been watching wax removal on you tube videos, it’s so satisfying! Maybe that makes me a bit or a weirdo though!
OP posts:
ponygirlcurtis · 23/12/2020 16:52

My son gets repeated waxy build-up (he also has a hearing loss so we need to keep on top of it). We use bicarb of soda drops or almond oil, but if there's already a big build up they won't do much. Got an irrigation device from Amazon - I think you need to use it regularly, with warm water, it won't work immediately but will help soften and loosen the wax if done regularly enough. In the end though, he got his cleared at his audiology appointment (who said it had been softened well by the irrigation device). You can get them cleared privately, eg some opticians offer this service, but it costs about £60.

NoGoodPunsLeft · 23/12/2020 16:54

The drops take longer to work, I had a totally blocked ear & it took 4 days of drops before the water from the syringe cleared it. I'd use the drops for a bit longer before panicking

negrilbaby · 23/12/2020 16:54

This time last year I had gone completely deaf in one ear and very fuzzy hearing in the other. I tried everything until I finally booked a private appointment to have micro-suction done (not available on the NHS in my area). It was amazing - ears back to normal immediately.

Tealightlil · 23/12/2020 16:55

Blocked ears can be painful. You can get them cleared at Boots or Specsavers. I think it’s about £50 though. A friend had it done about 2 weeks ago and said it made an amazing difference.

Original poster
Coolieloach · 23/12/2020 16:55

@urbansprawl

Blocked ears are horrible, and the only thing that works for me is microsuction. The relief is indescribable! I'd see if you can get an NHS referral, or look into a local private provider (it isn't too badly priced as private services go). The process feels slightly odd (not painful) and you'll feel amazing afterwards.
Yes good idea, I have contacted a few local places, spec savers for example offer this service in their audiology dept but because GP surgeries are not able to offer this is my area they are fully booked until mid February!
OP posts:
Original poster
Coolieloach · 23/12/2020 17:00

@Pumpertrumper

DH is a doctor and we irrigated his ear at home using an Amazon kit. Is it a squeezable ball looking thing with a spout?

He had lost all hearing for about 2 days. It took AGES to finally get out a solid 5p piece size chunk of wax. You kinda have to stick with the irrigation it can take 30-60 mins of repeating.

I would give it a few goes, look in his ear with a torch, give it a few more goes... repeat.

It came eventually but my god it was gross

Maybe I just didn’t do it for long enough then? Presumably as your DH is a dr it is deemed safe to put water in your ear?!
OP posts:
Devillishlypicklypickles · 23/12/2020 17:01

Only advice is to stop asking for advice from random strangers on the Internet and make a GP appointment, your blocked ear might not have anything to do with a build-up of wax, I frequently get blocked ears because of eustachian tube dysfunction usually caused by my sinuses or colds etc. You could give yourself a nasty infection by putting things like water etc in your ears. I hope you manage to get it sorted out soon, I know how bloody miserable it is!

Viviennemary · 23/12/2020 17:04

I second bicarbonate of soda drops. Olive oil and other ear drops didn't work for me.

AcornAutumn · 23/12/2020 17:06

OP did you use Otex?

JuneFromBethesda · 23/12/2020 17:09

Possibly a stupid question but did you warm the olive oil before putting it in your ear? I’ve had blocked ears a few times over the years, always faithfully used olive oil, it always took ages. Last time it happened I had a GP telephone consultation (to be told they didn’t syringe ears any more) and the doctor told me to warm the oil. It worked a treat (and I felt rather foolish for not having thought of it before!)

PuppyMonkey · 23/12/2020 17:10

I would continue to put olive oil in as you’ll need to soften the wax. You need to do it for 2-3 weeks every day before they syringe at my surgery anyway. So if you can get a private provider they’ll be saying the same thing I’m sure.

Buntingandbuttons · 23/12/2020 17:15

Chances are it’s not wax but an ear infection. DP went to the gp with the same thing...very blocked ear, could barely hear out of it. DP was sure it was full of wax. Gp took a look and said there was barely any wax and it was an infection and bad swelling. Get it checked tomorrow as ears can get worse fast.