My ear is blocked with wax resulting in tinnitus and I can't get it syringed - any tips!

[CatOnAHotTinHoof]

I've been using warm olive oil morning and night for 4 or 5 days. I've also tried lying on a warm hot water bottle and been using the high pressure setting on the shower to try and dislodge the wax but to no avail.
Any tips as it's driving me mad!

Why can't you get ears syringed? It's a bit risky diy. I'd go to your gp

Its worked for me @ThePricklySheep.

@Screwcorona

Why can't you get ears syringed? It's a bit risky diy. I'd go to your gp

Lots of GPs won’t do it anymore. Mine won’t...they refer you to ENT at the hospital and the wait is months!

I would go microsuction - but I wouldnt go with specsavers or highstreet or any random independent. It is a medical procedure and you can permanently damage your ears if its not done correctly.

I have been to a few places where they were really awful. Now I always go with the Clear Ear Clinic and drive to either Oxford or London - from the midlands!

They are excellent. Its not worth risking your hearing for a convenient location. Have learned from my mistakes.

Boots Hearingcare do micro suction for £50.

@LemonSwan have you seen the YouTube videos from the guy at Oadby/Leicester who does microsuction. He’s the dr pimple popper of ear syringing and seems great. I always think if I need them doing again I’d drive to Leicester.

How strange I’m having the exact same problem at the moment that just randomly came on a week ago. Started using Otex today. Hope yours are sorted soon, it’s really annoying!

@NuclearDH

No who is he!?!

Is he an asian man? I think I found him on my searches when lockdown hit and I desperately needed them doing.

@NuclearDH oh that sucks, our gps still do, or at least did about a year ago on a family member. I'd guess op could skip the queue paying privately? Worth a look at if it's going to be a long wait

Yes an Asian guy. It’s called the Hear Clinic. Might be closer for you?

I had mine treated at specsavers pre pandemic but they might be doing it now. Seemed professional enough to me, but they made me use olive oil for a week before so it may be worth persisting with that.

I haven't been able to get my ears syringed on the NHS in years.

Private micro suction clinic?

Screwcorona
Why can't you get ears syringed? It's a bit risky diy. I'd go to your gp
Lots of GPs won’t do it anymore. Mine won’t...they refer you to ENT at the hospital and the wait is months!

How can this possibly be a good use of NHS resources, rather than 10 minutes with the practice nurse?!

Otex works every time.

GP can't syringe ATM as it is an aerosol generating procedure (AGP).

NHS doesn't offer microsuction which is not an AGP so you have to go to a private clinic - approx £30 an ear. Use olive oil for a week first.

Ah! That makes sense clary. I thought it was one of those NHS ‘money saving’ attempts that actually ends up being more convoluted and expensive.

#randomknowledge - only bc my dd had hers done a few weeks ago, had to go to private clinic.

GP said NHS is going to introduce microsuction but it's not there yet. We decided that it was worth £60 after nearly a year of gradually worsening hearing for her (due we think to constant wearing of earphones btw).

@LemonSwan

I would go microsuction - but I wouldnt go with specsavers or highstreet or any random independent. It is a medical procedure and you can permanently damage your ears if its not done correctly.

I have been to a few places where they were really awful. Now I always go with the Clear Ear Clinic and drive to either Oxford or London - from the midlands!

They are excellent. Its not worth risking your hearing for a convenient location. Have learned from my mistakes.

You do realise that all these high street places you warn against actually have clinicians trained in it? You don't need a medical degree, but there are training programmes available and you tend to need to have a minimum health related background to be accepted on to them.

@pinkywinks

I am just going from my own experiences. Due to my occupation I have to get them done multiple times a year. I get legally you can do it with just training but last time I visited one of these I got stabbed in the ear drum. Its not a risk free procedure and due to the amount of times I have to get it done its not worth the risk for me.

Clear Ear Clinic have only qualified ENT doctors & nurses and thats why I go there. Its no more expensive just a bloody long drive.