Ear syringing on the NHS

[Spidey66]

Also posted in health.
Went swimming a few days ago, and now my ear is blocked. Its painful, im deaf, and it's ringing. I've been putting olive oil drops in it and if anything its worsening.

I've had this before, and whats always sorted it has been syringing.

I went to a minor injuries/walk in yesterday because the pain was getting worse to be told the NHS no longer do syringing. The NICE guidelines now recommend micro suction for blocked ears but this is only done privately. Instead the NHS will refer to audiologists for hearing aids.

Hearing aid referrals for blocked ears? Come again? I'm only deaf for want of a brief intervention!

This is ridiculous!

Should ear syringing or an alternative be available on the NHS? Yabu = no go and pay for it. Yanbu= ear syringing or an alternative should be available on the NHS

It’s pathetic, it takes a GP or nurse seconds to syringe out an ear, the same as GPs now won’t administer a flu jab even when you’re sitting three feet away from them in their surgery; you have to make an appointment with a nurse to do a three second procedure.
As I said, pathetic.

It would be worthwhile finding out what would be good in terms of maintenance care. The gp may need to contact the ent dept for advice on that, especially as your skin is dry and sensitive and often needs treatment . If ear plugs are uncomfortable , mix together a piece of cotton wool with vaseline and use it instead, smear a bit more vaseline over the top to ensure a good seal. It's often a better, cheaper and more comfortable option for using in the shower etc. It may also be better suited to your skin. Glad you're better.

@privateandnhsgp
If your name relates to your job, i hope you don't talk to your patients and colleagues like that. Helendee may have been wrong in her statement, but it was clear she meant it was a routine treatment rather than it took literally seconds.

my DH had his ears done for the second time within a month today
its the only good thing about our doc's at the mo

@Helendee

It’s pathetic, it takes a GP or nurse seconds to syringe out an ear, the same as GPs now won’t administer a flu jab even when you’re sitting three feet away from them in their surgery; you have to make an appointment with a nurse to do a three second procedure. As I said, pathetic.

Syringing when we did it used to get a 15 or 20 minute appt slot and at one point it was a big contributor to medical litigation as it can go wrong

[quote Spidey66]@privateandnhsgp
If your name relates to your job, i hope you don't talk to your patients and colleagues like that. Helendee may have been wrong in her statement, but it was clear she meant it was a routine treatment rather than it took literally seconds.[/quote]
Don't worry Spidey, I only speak to morons like that. Like everyone else I'll pick whatever tone I like on these forums, if you don't like it that's your problem and feel free to ignore me. I couldn't give a toss what you think. Hope that helps.

If that's what he/she meant perhaps that's what they should have written?

I went in for migraines just before lockdown and as the consultant was checking me she said on I will clear your ears out I’ve got the equipment next door, and she buzzed a nurse and off we went, she sent me for a hearing test too in the same appointment, I had about 4 or 5 things done I was only in ther 40 ish minutes great service

I work as an NHS nurse. Here's hoping you don't work in East London, or you may have to send referrals my way which may not go to plan. Hope this helps xxxx

@Spidey66

I work as an NHS nurse. Here's hoping you don't work in East London, or you may have to send referrals my way which may not go to plan. Hope this helps xxxx

Actually it makes no shakes. I can't foresee any circumstances where I would benefit from your opinion.

Thanks though.

I recently had extremely blocked ears with wax and paid £85 for an audiologist to remove it using micro suction. I can afford this and it was no problem for me. However, not everyone is in the same position. We talked about it and the audiologist said although GPs can refer it can take a long time for the appointment to come through. I was pretty deaf from my build up and it made me feel so sad for people, especially the elderly who need this service. It's terrible people are waiting so long. Micro suction is very skilled and worth every penny of the £85 but I do think it's an issue which needs sorting out.

Whatever

You're still incredibly rude, though.

@DrWhoNowww
Fair enough regarding the lenses. I get free eye checks due to the family history of glaucoma but still have to pay for the lenses/glasses.

In fact in a similar vein, i get free prescriptions due to an underactive thyroid. I don't take the piss with it and only use it for prescription only meds, but in fact if I was told I was only going to get my thyroxine free in future, but in return i could get my ears sorted, id jump at it.

[quote Bufferingkisses]As it says in the article the patient should be referred to ear nose and throat who provide microsuction. There is a campaign around the removal of ear syringing and how difficult it is to get GPs to refer to ENT for microsuction.

Please take a few minutes to write to your MP. Sadly this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed. There are template letters on the RNID site here;

rnid.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/take-action-if-nhs-ear-wax-removal-services-arent-available-in-your-area/[/quote]
In our area, GP’s cannot refer to ENT for microsuctioning- except in very specific circumstances- any referral outwith that pathway will be rejected. It’s not the GP’s refusing to refer because they can’t be bothered- it’s because a decision has been made by ENT that they won’t be doing routine removal of ear wax. In our area, at least. Instead, the decision has been taken that patients either pay privately or use an ear bulb, which are low cost, re-usable and fairly easy to use for most people (I recognise some people will be unable).

I have to pay to have mine done every year or so, I actually don't mind as I hated the irrigation and microsuction is a lot less painful I find. Just don't do what I did and try and do it yourself with a Calpol syringe, I nearly made myself deaf and wasn't my finest hour!

Huh, my GP surgery said I needed to book in for syringing (with them) last summer, but they weren't doing it during the pandemic so I'd have to wait.

My sons ears was constantly blocked as a child. 100% sealed. He was at a&e four times a year from rolling around in agony. He has language disorder now and a 20k sen school pa for by my LA. I had to beg for years for micro suction.

I'm not sure the NHS saved much money. Definitely not tax pays cash in the long term. He will have speach therapy in this private school until he is 18. It's not the sole cause but it didnt help

Resurrecting this old thread as I have been told I have a huge build-up of wax and the nurse won't syringe. I used to to be able to get a letter from my gp and be in audiology the same day to have it micro-suctioned!! Those days are long gone. Now you have to suffer deafness until you get an infection and need a hearing aid. Nothing works to move the wax. Tried olive oil and Earex, not Hopi candles as they don't work. I have found out its £67 to get it removed privately and this is unaffordable for me. This is something Audiology should be doing. AIBU?

@BooseysMom It’s £55 at Specsavers. Still a lot of money but less than £67.

My GP stopped doing this about 4 years ago.Pay £55.00 per ear privately .I would not do any DIY ear cleansing .I had a very bad ear infection .Just not worth it!

Please let this organisation know

rnid.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/take-action-if-nhs-ear-wax-removal-services-arent-available-in-your-area/

and write to your MP.

Yes I agree it should be available but so many medical procedures are now not available or you wait so long.I have now decided the only thing is to pay and not complain. Can you afford it .I paid £35 for 1 ear for excellent treatment a return appt was free.

skodadoda
Thank you, I will

Ragruggers
£35 is great compared to £67! Where was this? Was it suction or syringing? Thanks x

dottiedodah
£55 per ear?!! Blimey!😮

skodadoda · Yesterday 14:52

Please let this organisation know

rnid.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/take-action-if-nhs-ear-wax-removal-services-arent-available-in-your-area/

and write to your MP.

Thank you for posting this. I have just used the template letter and tweaked it and sent it to my MP..it's a brilliant template and I encourage everyone suffering with this to do the same.

I'm currently sat here in pain with a totally blocked ear and horrendous tinnitus and there's nothing I can do but pay a ridiculous fee I can't afford to have the wax removed at a private clinic.