ear wax... yuk!

[neva]

Have been putting olive oil in blocked ear for one month now and feel that it is doing precisely nothing. Have had the ear syringed three times, and it's still blocked. Am really fed up of being partially deaf, with a continuous hissing noise...It's affecting my social life as I can't hear in crowded places. Should I demand that my GP refers me to ENT for treatment to get rid of this? Does anyone have experience of this? Thanks

You could try Cranial Osteopathy or Candling as alternative treatments.

You just need your ears syringed. The practice nurse at your surgery will do it.

Sorry! You've already done that!

Try some otex from your pharmacy first - if not GP should be able to get your ears sorted.

yup ask for a referral,sounds like you've exhausted all other remedies

Thanks all. I have tried Otex too, and sodium bicarbonate - it still won't budge! Will have to push for a referral then.

neva - dont want to be alarmist but is it definitely ear wax? get them to refer you ENT - the hissing could be a form of tinnitus (sp?)

yes it is wax, the nurse and a doctor have looked in there, it's completely blocking the ear drum!

oh that's good then (kind of !). i know lots of people dont agree with it but ear candling works for me.

I second ear candling - it is excellent but if your ear is REALLY REALLY blocked it will take quite a few goes. I do it myself - I buy the candles off the internet

That's interesting that candling has worked for you two. I have so far only found people on the web saying it doesn't work for them. What does it feel like? It is hot?? Can you feel/see the wax coming out??

i think it feels lovely, really relaxing - my dh does it for me, his mum used to do it for him when he was younger. it kind of feels warm and comforting.

here

ear candling is warm and relaxing indeed

we did if for years .. I'd lie on DH's lap, he'd lie on mine

and THEN we found out it was completely bogus

and I'm afraid it is

take an ear candle and light it and hold it against a plate rather than an ear .. when you open it at the end its got the same amount of 'ear wax' in it

its crap

pleasant crap

but crap nevertheless

Think the OP should get an ENT referral .

here check this out about ear candling

Oh dear - my dd is 8 and fed up with wax in her ear atm. The pratice nurse suggested olive oil, which we tried, then I got drops in Boots but so far nothing seems to have helped. I was going to inquire about candling but after reading the link on the last post I'm not sure. Anyone with any other suggestions? Would the GP syringe her ear or is that a last resort or only for adults?

Hi multitasker. I had my ears 'microsuctioned.' It was very quick and painless and worked brilliantly. In future I will definitely choose this instead of syringing which I found unpleasant and which in my case didn't work. Might be worth asking your GP about this.

Did you go through the GP to get this done or is it like an alternative pratice?
Shes been very good but I know its annoying her something shocking - she is pulling her lobe down and I can hear the pop

Hi. My GP would have referred me to an ear specialist for microsuctioning but there was a waiting list of a couple of months. I didn't want to wait as I was partially deaf because of the wax, so went to a private clinic. I would suggest talking it through with your GP. My experience was that eardrops didn't work at all. Hope this helps.

Hi Neva, yeah the drops don't seem to be working, although I did give her ear a good blast with the shower hose in the bath earlier and she thought it helped
I've a feeling my GP will want me to persist with the olive oil - maybe shes too young for something more invasive?