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Original poster

Anyone ever have to have their ears syringed?

41 replies

Millie1 · 22/01/2006 16:12

If so ... does it hurt and do they have to 'pull' your ear to get right angle for syringe? My hearing has just about gone in one ear and drops are making it worse, it's now feeling hot and itchy so I guess I'll have to get it syringed tomorrow but am very sensitive and don't like them being yanked about! Any advice? Thanks

OP posts:
Highlander · 22/01/2006 16:16

I got DH to attempt mine ysterday with DS's Nurofen syringe and hot water. partial success. Doesn't hurt at all. A friend does his own with a 20ml syringe.

I think health centres use a mild bleach solution to dissolve the wax.

sparklymieow · 22/01/2006 16:16

I went to the hospital to get my ears de-gunked and the doctor used a sucky machine which sucked the wax out, a bit like the dentist use to suck away silava. He used drops to soften the wax, when I questioned it he said that they don't syring any more, and no, it didn't hurt.

RTKangaMummy · 22/01/2006 16:24

I am weird cos I love having my ears syringed

I put olive or veggie oil in my ears for several days beforehand

The you hold a pot up to your ear and the nurse at the surgery fills a squirter with warm water and squirts it in and cos the wax has been softened it just comes out

no pain just a lovely gurgirling feeling

and then best of all you can hear everything again

I have very narrow ear canal

RTKangaMummy · 22/01/2006 16:26

SM that is weird

I had mine done just before christmas but I guess that was cos I was at the dr surgery

I hope they don't stop it there

expatinscotland · 22/01/2006 16:26

I did once. It wasn't bad at all.

Lonelymum · 22/01/2006 16:27

I once had a blocked ear and was told to put olive oil in my ear (on cotton wool) every night for a week and then go back to the nurse to have it syringed. I don't remember it being an unpleasant experience, but I think the softening of the wax beforehand was quite important.

Not being able to hear out of the ear, on the other hand, was a right pain in the neck.

JackieNo · 22/01/2006 16:28

Mmm - I used to have to have it done loads when I was a kid - loved it - very soothing

RTKangaMummy · 22/01/2006 16:29

Jackieno glad I am not the only one

foundintranslation · 22/01/2006 16:29

It is loud (once the wax comes out lol) and not a barrel of laughs, but doesn't hurt.

moondog · 22/01/2006 16:31

Does the wax come out in a big lump?

Sallystrawberry · 22/01/2006 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sallystrawberry · 22/01/2006 16:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RTKangaMummy · 22/01/2006 16:37

You could ask to have it in a specimin bottle and put a photo on here

TeddyRobinson · 22/01/2006 16:44

Yes and it bloody hurt. I've had done with a vacuum type thing aswell and that was faaaaar better! Sorry!

FrannytheQuinoaEater · 22/01/2006 16:56

Jeez, this is an eye opener reading about how pleasant and relaxing it is - dp has to have his done about every 2 years and he makes SUCH a meal of it - has to go and lie down for the rest of the day, etc. etc.

Sallystrawberry · 22/01/2006 16:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FrannytheQuinoaEater · 22/01/2006 17:22

To hear him talk it is worse than childbirth, however he is usually fairly stoical (if grumpy) about illnesses so I will give him the benefit of the doubt a bit longer

Original poster
Millie1 · 22/01/2006 17:28

Heck ... didn't realise I'd hit upon such a fascinating subject!!! Being the non-squeamish type, it would thrill me greatly to see it pop out in one big lump! However, since posting I've been naughty and poked with a cotton bud (cause of the problem in the first place) and can now hear again ... though maybe I've just moved something out of the way and should get them syringed anyway?

The deafness is terrible but it's a great excuse for not hearing the children although I don't think DH appreciates it!

OP posts:
MrsMiggins · 22/01/2006 17:31

RTKangaMummy - I love it too - silly isnt it

I have mine done about every 18 mths - have to as I just get such a build up
then suddenly one side starts going deaf in the mornings and I quickly hot-foot it to the drs

afraid I always forget to do the drops and lie but they always clear them

we have an electric syringe with a pump - sounds like an electric toothbrush
tickles but doesnt hurt

MrsMiggins · 22/01/2006 17:32

oh yes - the last time I went the nurse said my ear canal bent upwards instead of being in a str line which is why my wax builds up

fascinating !!

Surfermum · 22/01/2006 17:34

I love having it done too!! I love having my hair highlighted too, the bit where they pull the hair through the cap.

RTKangaMummy · 22/01/2006 17:38

Mrs Miggins mine bends too

so does DSs

weird aren't we

MrsMiggins · 22/01/2006 17:39

actaully my uterus does too

RTKangaMummy · 22/01/2006 18:29

Ooooooooooooooh don't think my uterus does

just ears

Meanoldmummy · 22/01/2006 18:31

I had my left ear syringed when I was 14 because I had a pain in it and went deaf...it was quite a pleasant sensation actually...but I was surprised when a whole popcorn kernel fell out, rather swollen and flaky but unmistakeable

The horrifying thing is, I'm sure I remember stuffing it in there when I was about 9