Solutions to ear wax where olive oil/ear syringing/candles have all failed?!

[sadbarratthomeowner]

I've had blocked up waxy ears for years. I've tried all manner of drops, warmed olive oil for weeks, syringing (the nurse told me after about 4 visits that he was giving up) and ear candles (completely ineffective though felt good!)

Is there any other option but to accept being partially deaf?? Dd1 has to shout at me quite often as I don't catch what she says first time. Also mobile and TV need to be on quite loud! I sound geriatric.

DP swears by using Sodium Bicarbonate (small bottle from the chemist) for a few days and then, if needed, get your ears syringed at the doctors.

He has frequents problems due to working in a dusty environment(carpentry/building)

Thanks, I guess that is one I haven't tried yet!

When you've had syringing, had you done the warmed olive oil for a few weeks first to soften it up? Can you get a GP referral to an ENT specialist?

Yes have tried the warmed olive oil approach, but it really only shifted a v small section. The nurse had got fed up by that stage - describing the wax in my ear is like bricks in a wall. He had only shifted the first brick! Perhaps I should have one more attempt, then ask for a referral...

ASk for a referral - I did and have seen a specialist every 6 months since.

Depending on the colour of the wax I prefer patients with dark brown wax to soften with warm olive oil for 10 days. Warm the oil in it's bottle in a bowl of warm water, lie on your side & get someone to put a few drops in your ear, put a piece of cotton wool over the entrance to the ear (don't poke it in, it's just there to mop up any liquid.) and lie like that for 10 mins, then do the other ear (if needed) try to do that twice a day for 10 days prior to removal of ear wax. For honey coloured wax I like patients to use Sodium Bicarbonate drops, using the same method. If you are really suffering, it may be worth finding out if there are any private clinics near you that do vacuum removal of ear wax. It's approx £50 for one ear, £75 for 2.

I didn't realise the colour of the wax was significant! The colour of my ear wax is a golden sort of honey colour, so it sounds like Sodium Bicarb is the thing... Will give this a go, thanks! My Dad and Nan both have/had the same problem, so it must be inherited.