I have just been told that I cannot get ear syringing/ irrigation on the nhs due to Covid. Anyone else?

[stilldumdedumming]

Hi has anyone else had this? I get my ears irrigated about yearly due to wax build up. I have just phoned my GP surgery and was told to contact another GP surgery.

They said I would have to go private (and pay they don't know how much) because it is not done on the NHS as it's too risky with COVID. I understand there are risks but we take precautions and a nurse does take some risks, surely.

I have tried home treatments but nothing shifts it. I have small ear canals apparently!

Otex express (orange) bottle works better than other things I’ve tried. You have to persevere 2x a day for a couple of days.

My mum was originally told it was "cos of covid" but it wasn't. Her practice just don't' want to refer people for it.

DP has his 'vacuumed' at the hospital (I guess that's microsuction). It is clinically necessary as due to his previous ear surgeries he has nothing like a normal ear canal. He needs it doing about every 9 months, but it has been much, much longer than that this time, and needed a lot of chasing up.

Our GP practice stopped doing it years ago saying to use drops and use home irrigation kit you can buy at chemists. I was skeptical to start with as prone to needing regular ear syringing but it does work.

I work for a high street chain that offers micro suction, I also work with hearing impaired people. It is rare to get NHS help where I live. For micro suction we recommend olive oil only to soften ear wax. It will make it worse initially as makes wax swell which makes it easier to remove. Micro suction cannot remove impacted and hard wax. The most important thing we tell customers is olive oil twice a day but lay down for 15-20 minutes each side so it properly soaks in. (I also have narrow ear canals and suffer with wax and I syringe my own with the Amazon thing!!) the first time I did it it took 3 days but now I keep on top of it and the minute I feel fullness in my ear give it a few rinses out. Works for me!

My fairly elderly DSF couldn't get this any more but had really good DIY results from some kind of ear candles apparently!

@dotty12345

I work for a high street chain that offers micro suction, I also work with hearing impaired people. It is rare to get NHS help where I live. For micro suction we recommend olive oil only to soften ear wax. It will make it worse initially as makes wax swell which makes it easier to remove. Micro suction cannot remove impacted and hard wax. The most important thing we tell customers is olive oil twice a day but lay down for 15-20 minutes each side so it properly soaks in. (I also have narrow ear canals and suffer with wax and I syringe my own with the Amazon thing!!) the first time I did it it took 3 days but now I keep on top of it and the minute I feel fullness in my ear give it a few rinses out. Works for me!

Dotty - so are you saying not to use the otex/eared stuff. Is it kitchen olive oil? There was a behind the GP doors clip says not to use that.

I use olive oil. I literally keep the dropper by my bed but honestly I got no relief through home irrigation.

I am going to try again though given all the success stories (threw my kit away in a fit of tidying!)

I'm currently using eared advanced but second application and it's making my ear sore.

My dh had a bad ear canal infection in 2008 and was told the GP ‘no longer does ears’ by the receptionist! I think she meant the syringing side of things, he needed antibiotics. You’re very lucky if you’ve managed to still get it on the NHS right up until Covid.

I don't think this is the sort of thing the NHS should be funding TBH

The private audiologist who does mine says my ear canal is too narrow for micro suction to be done safely so does irrigation.

I'm not very amused (no ones fault on MN) - my doctor's surgery won't do it, say it harms the eardrum - I never realised others could get it done. I've been battling away for years with ear drops (so has my Mum) and blocked/pounding ears. Keep thinking I should move to a doctor nearer home anyway, so maybe the time has come!!!

I am lucky enough to have narrow ear canals, a wax producing surface that is twice the size of normal (nurse's words) AND strangely runny wax. I am actually advised to NOT use the olive oil as the wax is already soft and the oil makes it more difficult to remove.

Last time I went for micro suctioning I had to return twice more to get rid of it all, and even then he needed to use the syringe thing for some of it.

The amazon syringe is brilliant and has saved me a lot of money. I can now just do them myself the minute I feel it building up, rather than waiting until I'm deaf.

Sympathies to anyone struggling with this - blocked ears are horrible, and the NHS should absolutely be providing an alternative treatment.

@Rhinothunder

I don't think this is the sort of thing the NHS should be funding TBH

Whyever not? Impacted wax does not always respond to self help or over the counter measures. With me it simply makes it worse. I get severe pain, deafness, tinnitus, and frequent infections as a result/ But the NHS shouldn't treat it?

Let's compare it to other relatively minor complaints that usually, but not always, respond to OTC treatment or self help.

1. Eczema. Most people just need to use emollients and occasionally a mild OTC steroid cream. I've had eczema that has become infected, needing stronger creams and antibiotics, Should that have been refused?
2. Period pains. When I had them i just needed paracetamol and/or brufen. If someone had them worse than me and needed further treatment or investigation, would I tell them to suck it up and not waste NHS time and resources? No of course not, we're all different.
3. Constipation. Should those with severe constipation just eat some dried apricots when actually they have a blockage in their bowel and need urgent medical attention?

I'm 55. I've had issues with my ears for 40 years. I know my body and what it needs, thanks.

Yes this may seem a minor issue but if not treated early and effectively, it can be much, much more serious.

My son got his ears syringed at specsavers 50quid!

The NHS fund transgender surgery, some plastic surgery and IVF but some people think that those suffering the pain, discomfort and hearing loss because of impacted wax should suck it up, just because they are unlucky enough they don't respond to self care? The mind boggles.

@Rhinothunder

I don't think this is the sort of thing the NHS should be funding TBH

So you think people should go deaf? Do you know that deafness is very closely linked to speed of onset of dementia? So NHS should save a few £ on ear care to spend £££££ on dementia care?

@Rhinothunder

I don't think this is the sort of thing the NHS should be funding TBH

When my ears are blocked I can’t hear a thing. I manage staff and become completely deaf, I get ear infections from using the oil and I have had burst ear drums. Self help just makes it worse, NHS funds lots of things that are not necessary,

@Feelingoktoday
And clearly aren’t funding necessary things!

@stilldumdedumming I am only talking about micro suction. Olive oil softens the wax so can be extracted.