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Children's health

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Original poster

Earwax causing hearing problems?

40 replies

nobodysfool · 19/01/2009 22:03

My ds is 3 and has recently had a chest infection where he has been traeted with antibiotics.
Yet again when my GP has looked in his ears she has said there is so much wax in his ears that she can't see the ear drum.
She said this the last time she checked him over as well.
I have noticed that he doesn't always hear what people are saying, i thought it was selective hearing but am wondering if this could be affecting his hearing ,as she said it may.
I have been told to leave it a week or so untill his infection has cleared up then take him back to have another look and to refer him if needed and even mentioned grommets (gulp).
We have tried olive oil drops a while ago but he really hated the sensation and they didn't seem to work.Are there any other ear drops that are more effective that is safe to use on a toddler?
What do you suggest?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

BodyBagBastard · 19/01/2009 22:06

not being rude but how often do you bath him?

Original poster

nobodysfool · 20/01/2009 14:29

He has a shower every morning and either a bath or a shower at night time.
He would like a bath every night but he will be in there for an hour if he had his way!

OP posts:

BodyBagBastard · 20/01/2009 20:21

Oh ok then fair enough.

well the wax could definatley be affecting his hearing.
he really need to use the olive oil PROPERLY for 2 weeks before trying anything else.

warm the oil, fill the ear canal, keep the oil in for 5 mins at least each side.
at least twice a day.
after 2 weeks it should be clear.

patient compliance is vital though.

geordieminx · 20/01/2009 20:36

My ds is 20 months an also has problems with grotty ears, although it doesnt seem to affect his hearing - I wouldnt stand a chance of getting him to sit with olive oil in them for 5 minutes - He wont even let me clean the outside bit with a cotton bud without having to be pinned down

Any other suggestions?

geordieminx · 20/01/2009 20:38

He also has a bath every night, and sometimes a shower of a morning too.

Original poster

nobodysfool · 20/01/2009 22:22

I would have to pin him down for the 5 mins and that would be so difficult as he is so strong he gets really upset by the oil and he doesn't really cause a fuss about much so he must find it awful.

OP posts:

Original poster

nobodysfool · 21/01/2009 19:08

Any other suggestions?

OP posts:

BecauseImWorthIt · 21/01/2009 19:12

There are drops that you can buy over the counter for ear wax - can't remember what they're called, but any chemist will tell you.

It's the same principle as olive oil, you drip it in and then leave it for a few minutes. DS2 gets very waxy ears and we use this. He says it tickles and fizzes a bit when it goes in!

You may have to just override your son's dislike of the feeling I'm afraid. If he can't hear, then it's a serious problem and he could be missing out on all kinds of things, least of all at school.

eandh · 21/01/2009 19:16

we have the same problem with dd1 who is 4, she failed hearing tests when little and then scraped through one so they discharged her. Her ears are constatntly blocked we do drops but she moves her head so not always effective, twice in the last year she has had a perforated eardrum form the pressure (and the gunk that has come out is amazing)

We're back to the doctors again tomorrow and I am going to push for something to be done (they did mention grommets last time) especially as I have hearing problems (had them as a child) and she starts school in spetember and I want her to be able to hear becuase otherwise she either gets frustrated/angry or gets bored and goes into her little dreamworld

Jux · 21/01/2009 19:21

I think it's called Earax?

Though the nurse at our surgery said that it makes the ear all sticky inside and so makes the problem worse.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 22/01/2009 10:36

Lol at the thought that ear wax is from not washing Some of us just have ears that produce lots of wax

Ds had to have drops as his hearing was affected in one ear from wax. Ended up having it syringed too.

I would not not have thought that grommets would help prevent ear wax. They are for glue ear i.e. when there is liquid behind the ear drum in the eustacian tube.

Ask your pharmacist. There are a few different drops on the market, I think. We had to change the drops I originally bought as it was based on peanut oil and ds has peanut allergy.

Could you put the drops in whilst he is asleep? Or let him watch his favourite tv program whilst he lays on his side?

BodyBagBastard · 22/01/2009 21:50

dhwt sometimes it is

Desiderata · 22/01/2009 21:54

Yes, it's nothing to do with bathing.

My ds has had the waxiest ears from the moment he was born. Unlike the OP, the wax never settles into his drums, but it looks bloody unsightly for all that!

nobodysfool, is this wax very viscous and black, or is it orange and quite dry?

The reason I ask is that if it's really treacly, olive oil isn't going to help at all.

Wax in the drum normally requires treatment, though. Grommits ain't so bad, if that's what's required. He'll need them before he starts school, or he'll lag behind.

BodyBagBastard · 22/01/2009 21:57

sometimes it is.

Desiderata · 22/01/2009 21:59

No, it isn't

BodyBagBastard · 22/01/2009 22:05

yes it is

Desiderata · 22/01/2009 22:11

Behind youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

BodyBagBastard · 22/01/2009 22:13

yes yes yes yes yes yes

CuddlyKelpie · 22/01/2009 22:17

Ds has had problems with his hearing (he showers daily so am not convinced re not washing), was referred to a specialist who advised a drop of olive oil in each ear at bedtime and a tuft of cotton wool to ease compacted wax I would have imagined it would help wash out looser stuff too.
It has sorted him out now anyway.

DesperateHousewifeToo · 23/01/2009 11:16

I think for the wax to cause deafness it would have to be impacted right down inside the ear canal where there is no chance of reaching it with a flannel. (If you remember to look when they are in the bath )

Of course, my dcs ears can look grubby but it is not the wax that you can see that causes the trouble, imvvvvho .

geogteach · 23/01/2009 11:24

If you get a referal to ENT they can clear out the wax with suction, that will allow them to see what is behind and whether grommets are necessary. DS1 is deaf and hearing aids mean that little air gets to the ear and wax builds up, he has them cleared by suction every 3-6 months. He has had grommets 3 times too.

GrinnyPig · 23/01/2009 11:36

OP - just do as GP suggested and return in a week to let him have another look. I completely empathise that your DS hates the olive oil. DD2 has a similar problem and whinges and cries when I mention olive oil - and she's 12!

Oh and it's got sod all to do with how frequently they have a bath

DesperateHousewifeToo · 23/01/2009 15:49

Our practice nurse did ds' syringing.

Had to soften the wax for a couple of weeks with drops and then saw nurse.

It looked like one of those very satisfying jobs like picking a spot or lancing boil, lol.

Actually, tis done with special machine now that squirts warm water into the ear which then softens and washes out the wax to be caught in a cup. Quite painless, but ds was about 6yrs so able to be bribed.

Original poster

nobodysfool · 23/01/2009 19:31

The wax is an rust colour so pretty normal i think.
Have been reading about sodium bicarb drops and wondering if they would be any better than olive oil?
I am sure wax build up in front of the eardrum has nothing to do with the frequency of washing-even though he washes twice a day- how many people clean their dc's ear drums

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 23/01/2009 19:35

oh don't use the drops till you are sure his ears are 100% better (i.e. not still sore)

I would ask for a referral to an ENT if it is a big problem

I regret not doing this sooner with dd. We got fobbed off at the doctor. Finally insisted on an ENT referral (which we had to pay for ) and he removed (with a minute little hoover thing!) all the hard wax from her ears (as she had loads) and then did a hearing test and found she had severe hearing loss in one ear!

If you think he has hearing problems, don't hesitate in asking for a hearing test and referral. It may be the wax but it's worth getting the wax removed and then checking how the ears look underneath (in case of glue ear etc.).

Little hoover method about 1000 times more effective than the drops!

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