Professional ear cleaning???

jriggy · « **on:** 22 Dec 2010, 09:27 pm »

This looks like as good a place as any to ask this... Other than here, I was thinking "The Lab"

Anyway...

I have a few weeks off work starting now and was wanting to get my ears professionally cleaned... I was hoping to just go back to my hearing specialist, who fitted me for my plugs, but evidently they just clean hearing aids. They informed me to go to my general practitioner for a cleaning...

Is this correct or should I find a ENT (ear nose throat) specialist???

Also, any advice on anything to avoid or look for would be great!
Looking to make an appointment as soon as possible

Thanks all

Jason

werd · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 09:30 pm »

Yes, and it makes a difference if they are clogged. They may want you to apply some loosening application before you go in so talk to them first. A general pract does this and anybody else is overkill.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 09:31 pm »

I always had it done at my GP's office. A nurse does it. A bit messy, but no big deal. Just sounds loud when they put the power washer in your ear.

JLM · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 09:54 pm »

Most simply recommend warm water, but you can buy "ear wash" at the drug store. The easiest and least messy way is to have a willing assistant use a bulb syringe with the warm water/ear wash while you're over a sink or bath tub.

Don't bother with the doctor's office.

jriggy · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 11:12 pm »

Since soaking - ears under - in a hot bath has not done the trick/gotten any wax to come out, I assumed a good professional cleaning was in order...
I wear earplugs often, for many reasons, and can tell slowly over the last year or so that I may be a lil blocked up.

Should I do the 'loosening' with the drug store ear wash and THEN decide if I would still like to go the my GP?

My wife is saying "as serious as you are about your ears and audio, just go to the doc"

bummrush · « **Reply #5 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 11:16 pm »

Go to doc you don't need to waste any more time

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 11:34 pm »

Remove wire racks and place aluminum pan on bottom of oven and then preheat to 150ºF.

Hold head inside oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Take care to not touch sides of oven.

Liquid wax should pour from ears and collect in pan.

Make festive sculpture from wax and sell on eBay or give as gift.

Phil A · « **Reply #7 on:** 22 Dec 2010, 11:55 pm »

The way my canals are shaped I get a cleaning every 10-14 months. I can usually tell when I pick up the phone and dial tone is louder in one ear.

emac · « **Reply #8 on:** 23 Dec 2010, 12:07 am »

Got a similar problem w/ oddly shaped canals. So, need to keep on top of this. And the way I notice that there's a problem is that the central image starts to get pulled to one side or the other.

I'd recommend just going to a pharmacy and buying some Debrox. Put a couple of drops in both ears every 2-4 weeks, and then wash your ears out w/ warm water in a syringe. Having someone else help you is a good idea, but not necessary. Much more convenient than going to a doctor.

Also, you'd only need to go to an ENT if you had a persistent problem, like an elderly person who hasn't had their ears cleaned out in years and the cerumen is rock hard. If that's the case, then Debrox and what the PCP has may not do the trick. The ENT's have some some cool stuff that will remove any cerumen. Amazing how a person who hasn't heard well in years can be made to hear again. Like a minor miracle.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #9 on:** 23 Dec 2010, 12:13 am »

Quote from: JLM on 22 Dec 2010, 09:54 pm

Most simply recommend warm water, but you can buy "ear wash" at the drug store. The easiest and least messy way is to have a willing assistant use a bulb syringe with the warm water/ear wash while you're over a sink or bath tub.

Don't bother with the doctor's office.

Would YOU trust a "willing assistant" to keep from blowing the wax out the other side? Maybe one of your audio buddies who covets your gear?

Go to the doctor and get it done. They can offer you a two-for-one deal and check your prostate at no extra charge. Just makes sure he does the ears first, or changes gloves between "checking things out."

FullRangeMan · « **Reply #10 on:** 23 Dec 2010, 06:35 am »

Hi,
The ear is a self-cleaning organ, it is very dangerous to clean it, can injure or irritate the ear.
If the ear is irritated, it begins or inflammatory process or a process of allergy, which is an unbearable itch for a long period.
Now I am going out a process of itching that lasted more than 2 years, so believe me you will not want to irritate your ear in anyway.
The last thing I will be cleaning will be the ear, the itching is huge, it seems to have an insect walk inside your head.
Take care, Gustavo

> Never go to a psychiatrist, adopt a cat or dog from the street. On the streets pets live only two years average.

dflee · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Dec 2010, 01:39 am »

Ive had ear wax problems pretty much my whole life and have been to GPs and specialists. All GPs flush the ear canal and the two Ear, Nose, Throat guys removed it easily with a tool and then checked the ears out. I gotta be honest here and say that flushing out hurt like hell.

Later
Don

Phil A · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Dec 2010, 01:57 am »

My doc uses a microscope and just uses a tool to scrape the stuff out. Usually takes seconds and not that bad. When they are clogged what he takes out is the size of a raison.

thunderbrick · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Dec 2010, 02:21 am »

Ditto on the raisin. Or it looks like a hairball.

Johnny2Bad · « **Reply #14 on:** 5 Nov 2011, 08:26 pm »

Go to your GP, get it done with the giant syringe. It's a bit uncomfortable and the sight of that device is alarming at first (what medical device isn't?) but you get used to it.
I have heavy wax build condition and go roughly once a year~two years. Don't go too often; the ear canal is easily irritated.
DON'T try to clean wax from your ears with q-tips. That generally just impacts a dense layer deeper in the ear; your GP may remark that the wax was impacted if that's been your habit in the past. A similar thing happens if you make use of some ear plugs, or install them too deeply.
My mother used to say "never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow". Once again, she was right.

rpf · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Nov 2011, 10:10 pm »

According to my ENT (who cleans my one ear that gets clogged every year), use of the drug store flushing bulb kits can cause damage to your ear. I've been going to him for a while and know he's not just looking for extra business.

My GP wanted to put some drops in my ear on one visit and then have me come back to remove the wax. Stick with an ENT.

dflee · « **Reply #16 on:** 6 Nov 2011, 01:43 am »

Excellent Advice

sweetspot · « **Reply #17 on:** 6 Nov 2011, 11:47 am »

I get my ears flushed every year. The best tweak for your Hi-Fi system, ever!!!

charles28722 · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Nov 2011, 02:02 pm »

Some people are prone to heavy wax build-up. Ultimate solution - buy the over the counter ear cleaning solution, apply it, wait an hour and go swimming (laps, in a pool with proper form). Your ears will be clean and you will benefit from one of the most perfect forms of excercise possible. Swim for 30-60 minutes twice per week and you will never have the problem again.

Old timer · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Nov 2011, 03:27 pm »

I've done my ears myself, and at the GP. The water pressure required to flush the wax is a bit scary.

I'd never thought about using drops then go swimming. That's a great idea!