eax wax - microsuctioning

[neva]

Hi - Further to my previous post on the lovely topic of ear wax, I have now booked an appointment with a private clinic for 'microsuctioning.' Has anyone had this done? Is it effective? Is it more/less unpleasant than syringing ( 3 attempts at which didn't work on my blocked ear)?

The NHS do this too, but in my area there is a 2 month waiting list!

never heard of it - what is it?

I'm a practice nurse and syringe ears as part of my job. Seriously, you should have been able to get the wax out by 3 attempts! Are you putting in the olive oil correctly? Sounds like a silly question but often solves the problem. The olive oil should be put in at least twice a day and don't put cotton wool in after as it will just absorb it. Ideally, concentrate on 1 ear at a time and put it in at bed-time and go to sleep with that ear uppermost. Can you book with a different nurse who might have more experience?

Hi there, just seen this -
I have microsuctioning done about once a year because all the ear surgery I've had has left the ear canal a bit of a funny shape and it can't manage by itself!!
I've not had syringing, but it's seriously not a big deal. They have a small metal instrument very like the one used at the dentist to suck up the stuff in your mouth during a filling etc... but thinner. It feels very weird, because you don't realise how far your ear canal goes - feels as if it's goign all the way down your throat or something.. but it's not painful, and yes, you get a suckky noise in your ear!
You may be advised to stay on your side on the couch for a bit in case the extra activity in there makes you feel a bit dizzy - I don't know if htat is just me... Oh, and they look down a microscope type machine above your head to see what they're doing (because they can't hold an .. auroscope?! and do this at the same time).
hth.....

Thanks Jackaroo, that is reassuring. Yes, I have been putting oil in my ear twice day, lying on my side to let it soak in, not putting in cotton wool. The problem with the syringing is that the practice nurse told me if it hurt at all, I was to tell her and she would then have to stop the process. Well, each time it has hurt (not much just a bit) -so she had to stop!! The worry is that the syringing process can damage ear, so they are not allowed to continue if there is pain.

Hi - I have this done twice a year and have done for years now - strange ear drum on one side. "Syringing does not work on all ears, and for some can have adverse reactions" quote from my consultant - I was the adverse reaction! The microsuctioning is fine but I would echo the previous poster - 'interesting' feeling, pretty loud. Just be glad they're not getting blood out as that sticks!!! (long story - not for breakfast time!)

Had the microsuctioning yesterday. Very interesting feeling, but not painful. The doctor thought syringing hadn't worked as the wax was right on the eardrum. Even my 'good' ear was full of wax so he cleared that one too. My hearing is now crystal clear, a real revelation. I now realise my hearing has probably been a bit impaired for years. Only 'downside' so far is that when there is no background noise at all I can hear the rush of blood in one ear. I suppose it is inevitable that when you hear the outside world better, you also hear what's going on in your head! Hopefully will get used to that.

I hope that in the future, everyone who needs this will be able to get it on the NHS - without waiting weeks.

i had it when i had bad ear infections, bliss. best feeling in the world imho. glad it worked well for you.