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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

A&E? Or what do I do?

43 replies

storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:18

I had a slightly blocked ear on Saturday so I bought some hydrogen(?) otex ear drops.

Ever since I'm completely deaf in that ear, it's ringing and very painful.

Doctors can't get me in.
What do I do? A&E? Has anyone had anything similar?

OP posts:
dietcokelime · 03/04/2023 10:19

Have you tried popping into a pharmacy to see if the pharmacist can advise? Or a local walk in centre?

marshmallowsforbreakfast · 03/04/2023 10:20

I'd try the pharmacy first

Elsamit · 03/04/2023 10:24

Have you mentioned to GP surgery that you think you have an ear infection? I know all GPs are different but our's always responds to possible infections. The pharmacy is a good idea (but not sure if they can give antibiotics if needed) or try ringing 111. Hope you are sorted quickly as ear pain is awful.

riotlady · 03/04/2023 10:24

I would try a walk in centre or maybe 111 for an emergency gp appointment.

Ostryga · 03/04/2023 10:25

Sounds like it’s blocked rather than an infection. Can you nip into a boots or a Superdrug with a hearing centre? They can have a look and suction it if there is a blockage.

If you get a temp or there is discharge give 111 a call. This is def not an A&E job unless you start feeling very very unwell or start having any symptoms of sepsis.

Tulipvase · 03/04/2023 10:26

I would call back the GP and speak to them again. I wouldn’t bother with a pharmacist. I would ask the GP what you are supposed to do if they can’t see you.

wannadisc0 · 03/04/2023 10:27

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Tulipvase · 03/04/2023 10:28

As an aside, I had covid again recently and had an awful blocked ear, took about a week to clear.

Original poster
storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:28

Thanks everyone. It's awful pain, all I can do is just lay with my head on a hot water bottle.
I work with a pharmacist and she suggesting trying the drops again but I think it made a bad job worse. I don't feel feverish or anything.
There's a local hearing centre I've just googled so trying to ring them (with my good ear)
I've never completely lost my heating like this.. I hope the drops haven't done some serious damage Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:29

@Tulipvase I had covid last week!! But the drops definitely seemed to do something to my ear x

OP posts:
Original poster
storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:29

Hearing not heating!

OP posts:
Ostryga · 03/04/2023 10:30

If you have a blockage the drops could have gone behind it and are causing pressure to build up on your eardrum which is likely what is causing the pain. You need a good old hoovering and possibly antibiotic ear drops.

RuthTopp · 03/04/2023 10:30

Specsavers also offer microsuction at some of their places or find your local place and book an appointment.

Original poster
storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:36

@Ostryga that would make sense as it happened as soon as I'd used the drops. Would that have caused my heating loss too?

OP posts:
TheSnailAndTheWaaaail · 03/04/2023 10:36

Audiologist here. It's more than likely just a blockage of earwax. Personally I never recommend Otex as it's really quite harsh and some people do find it irritates them.

Do you have a local Boots hearingcare, Specsavers hearing centre or the like? They will see you and look in your ear. Explain that it's probably wax so they book you for the correct appointment type and if it's anything else they'll refer on to ENT/GP for appropriate treatment.

Definitely not an A&E job. In future stick to olive oil based ear drops to keep wax soft and hopefully avoid a build up!

TheSnailAndTheWaaaail · 03/04/2023 10:41

Hydrogen peroxide fizzes and bubbles in your ear which tries to dissolve the wax, but it can also just block whatever gaps there were around it so that's why you've got hearing loss - temporary due to blockage. A blockage of wax also causes tinnitus quite often.

LIZS · 03/04/2023 10:46

I've has similar for over six weeks. No hearing for long periods and overnight and noise like fireworks going off. Not for urgent care or A and E though! GP told me to get wax cleared then return if still a problem (it will be as am already permanently part deaf and tinnitus). 3 week wait for a Specsavers appointment. No microsuction or syringing available on NHS.

ShiteInNiningArmour · 03/04/2023 10:56

TheSnailAndTheWaaaail · 03/04/2023 10:36

Audiologist here. It's more than likely just a blockage of earwax. Personally I never recommend Otex as it's really quite harsh and some people do find it irritates them.

Do you have a local Boots hearingcare, Specsavers hearing centre or the like? They will see you and look in your ear. Explain that it's probably wax so they book you for the correct appointment type and if it's anything else they'll refer on to ENT/GP for appropriate treatment.

Definitely not an A&E job. In future stick to olive oil based ear drops to keep wax soft and hopefully avoid a build up!

On a related note, what are your thoughts on the current trend for Otoscopes sold cheaply on Amazon.
My adult Dd bought herself one as she suffered with ear wax a lot and obviously can’t get them suctioned now. She swears by it but says she’s careful.
Must say I’m a bit nervous having always been told to never put anything smaller than your finger in your ear.

Original poster
storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:59

@TheSnailAndTheWaaaail Thank you for your reply, it's really put my mind at rest. That would make sense because as I felt the drops work it was like I could feel it blocking my ear, I also have a constant ringing in that ear - like it's just switched off! I tried putting water in it from the shower head yesterday too which I think made a bad job worse.
Would the blockage clear on its own eventually? I'm waiting to hear back from a local hearing centre. Would they be able to do micro suction today if that had space do you think or would I have to use olive oil first?

OP posts:
AmandaHoldensLips · 03/04/2023 11:00

I thought ear pain was considered an emergency? Unfortunately the only way to get seen these days is to kick up a real fuss. Get back on the phone to the GP and tell them it's an emergency.

LIZS · 03/04/2023 11:04

You are normally asked to use olive oil for a week or so minimum beforehand.

FlosCampi · 03/04/2023 11:05

I had exactly this, audiologist just suctioned them, it was miraculously how instant the improvement was! She said the otex drops make it worse and to use olive oil (pharmacy grade) in future. I think it cost 80 pounds, the suction, I had lost most of my hearing just from wax plus cotton bud plus otex.

LIZS · 03/04/2023 11:06

And yes it is exactly like a switch turns the ear off.

Elsamit · 03/04/2023 11:08

In my experience, I have not had a blockage clear itself. Back in the days when the NHS used to syringe them (showing my age) they would not do it until I had used olive oil daily for three weeks to soften the wax. I was told by one nurse that I should flood the ear with the oil then wait for 30 minutes before allowing it to drain out. She said that this gives the wax time to soften. With repeated use, she also said the wax plug may dislodge itself but syringed mine anyway. The relief was instantaneous as was the improvement to my hearing.

HurryShadow · 03/04/2023 11:34

storyofus · 03/04/2023 10:59

@TheSnailAndTheWaaaail Thank you for your reply, it's really put my mind at rest. That would make sense because as I felt the drops work it was like I could feel it blocking my ear, I also have a constant ringing in that ear - like it's just switched off! I tried putting water in it from the shower head yesterday too which I think made a bad job worse.
Would the blockage clear on its own eventually? I'm waiting to hear back from a local hearing centre. Would they be able to do micro suction today if that had space do you think or would I have to use olive oil first?

A good audiologist won't require you to have pre-softened the wax before it's removed.

The otex will likely have loosened your ear wax, which has now moved and covered your ear canal completely. The good thing about this is that it means it's probably quite soft anyway, so will likely come away quite easily and quickly.

If you're on a local facebook group, do a search and see if there is somewhere that has been recommended (or not recommended!).

Unfortunately this isn't something that is offered by GPs on the NHS any more, which is crazy considering the pain and infections that it can cause, let alone the fact that there are many people that couldn't afford private treatment.