Blocked ear - anyone used specsavers or boots

[tomatopsste]

Doctors no longer deal with wax removal, so has anyone used Specsavers or Boots?

AIBU to ask your experiences?

It's only one ear, is it worth getting both ears looked at, at the same time?

Specsavers are very good. If they don’t manage to remove the wax on the first go, you get a second attempt free.

One of my ears remains blocked after the second go (stupidly tiny earholes) so they’ve written to my gp.

They were really friendly and professional.

DH gets his ears microsuctioned once or twice a year, but not at either of those places because there is somewhere else right next to his office, but they all use the same technique/technology

he absolutely swears by it, and says as well as sorting the blockage, it improves his hearing

he says it’s like ‘hearing in HD’ for a few days afterwards, and feels amazing..!

I went with him once, and they showed me the main lump they removed… let’s just say the Sporner Corner crew would have been in heaven

That's good to know!

I'll look at independents!

Does he need to do any prep work? Like drops in his ear?

You need to use Earol spray for two weeks before you go.

Cross post, I just asked that! Thank you

I get microsuctioning done every few years as I get wax build up. It’s fast and painless and solves the problem (I get out onto the street and can’t believe how loud the traffic sounds, until my brain adjusts!). I also use a local independent but am sure specsavers etc do the same job. It costs about £60

I use a local independent opticians who offer micro suction which is cheaper. You don’t need to soften the wax first no

Oh, and last time I went a few months back I was told no need to put drops in before. So I’d check with the provider

My DH has his done once or twice a year too. During lockdown he desperately needed it doing and some places were just starting to open up.

His usual independent place wasn't open yet so he booked with Boots and it was awful. He said the person doing it seemed totally uninterested in doing it, pissed off for being there and seemed to not have a clue what they were doing. It really hurt him and was ultimately unsuccessful. They blamed him for not using drops beforehand but his usual place doesn't require him to.

He got his money back and fortunately a few days later his usual place opened up so he got it done there. He didn't use drops beforehand and it didn't hurt at all, so clearly the person at Boots wasn't very well trained.

I found his place by searching my local Facebook group and there were loads of recommendations.

I've always had good ears but have been wearing earphones a lot more lately and I'm noticing my hearing isn't great in one ear, so suspect I'll have to give it a try one day soon!

Most places ask you to put olive oil or drops in a for at least a few days before to help soften it. Most places charge one fee covering both.

Dad used Spec Savers and they sorted him out very easily

I bought a little endoscope tool from Amazon for £17 and did it myself. My right ear was completely blocked and I was deaf as a post. I’d got out a piece of wax the size of a baked bean within 10 minutes of it coming though the letter box! Magic.

Do you have a link by any chance?

I have rubbish ears & have to have them unblocked a couple of times a year. Since the GP stopped doing it, I've been using a syringe from Amazon which works just as well. I do olive oil drops twice a day for a few days first to soften the wax.

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My ears were terrible, I had been partially deaf and blocked for well over a year probably a lot longer thinking about it. I was getting no where with the GP, I cant cope with syringing which they still like to do here. If you don't want that then you have to go on the list for an ENT person to take a look. For some odd reason there are no independent mircosuctioning clinics here!
So on my recent trip to London a couple of weekends ago I did some research before my trip and found a couple of clinics open on Saturdays . I called one the week before and they were super friendly, I went in that following Saturday straight from the airport and it took all of a few minutes to remove a ridiculous amount of wax from both my ears, oh the relief and I can hear again. It was 55 pounds for two ears. I could have kissed the guy who did he was super lovely and it did not hurt at all.
So yes for me it was well worth it, I spent the rest of the weekend enjoying the fact my ears were not cracking and I could actual hear!

Ear Wax Removal Kit Ear Camera 1296P High-Definition Earwax Cleaner Portable USB Charging Visible 6 LED Otoscope for Android, iPhone, Ipad amzn.eu/d/c0Xopn3 Here :)

I don’t think that worked 😬

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That's great, thank you

Having your blocked ear microsuctioned is the most wonderful feeling, almost worth blocking them for the pleasure it gives. My ears are devils for bunging up and for infections (I think it’s a menopausal thing to do with dry membranes). Ive used independents and we even have someone who will come to your house to do it now.

Now that's interesting, my first problem and I'm menopausal!

I would check with the provider about the drops and how many days you should use them. I always used drops before syringing, but for microsuction you don't want the wax to be too soft either (according to my ENT surgeon). Also, some drops are peanut oil (cerumol, I think) so read ingredients carefully if you have allergies.

One ear is blocked and the dizziness is awful
Been using drops , but need them syringed really. Glad this thread popped up

My GP still syringes your ears, I had it done this week.

Well it was the nurse at the gp’s