How to remove serious ear wax buiid up?

[aaroncort]

Over the past 3 years I've lived in a noisy house while working midnights at a bakery. In order to sleep I've had to wear ear plugs to bed. The problem is that over the years my hearing, particularly in the high frequencies has lessened. So far it doesn't affect comunication with people but it does effect my love of audio. I don't listen to music loudly so I don't think its physical hearing loss. I think it'is due to the ear plugs compacting wax deep within my ear. I've tried Murine wax remover but it hasen't worked after 3 days of treatment. the past 2 days I've tried hydrogen peroxide, it seems like its working a little. I hear fizzing but so far no wax has come out of my ear. I think I'll go to a doctor after a while but i'm hoping that there are other alternatives. What have you guys done to combat this. Thanks for your help, Aaron.

 

[catachresis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaroncort Over the past 3 years I've lived in a noisy house while working midnights at a bakery. In order to sleep I've had to wear ear plugs to bed. The problem is that over the years my hearing, particularly in the high frequencies has lessened. So far it doesn't affect comunication with people but it does effect my love of audio. I don't listen to music loudly so I don't think its physical hearing loss. I think it'is due to the ear plugs compacting wax deep within my ear. I've tried Murine wax remover but it hasen't worked after 3 days of treatment. the past 2 days I've tried hydrogen peroxide, it seems like its working a little. I hear fizzing but so far no wax has come out of my ear. I think I'll go to a doctor after a while but i'm hoping that there are other alternatives. What have you guys done to combat this. Thanks for your help, Aaron.

That's what God gave us screwdrivers for.

On the other hand, an ears/nose/throat Doctor recomended diluted hydrogen peroxide to me a couple years ago. Two drops in one ear, and lie down on the ther side. Then reverse.

Otolaryngology -- what a good word!

 

[gerG]

I don't think that anything but a doctor can remove compacted buildup. Make the appointment.

After that, peroxide seems to work great for maintenance. I do a soak for 5 min each side. Rinse with clean water, then isopropyl alcohol to get the water out.

I have tried the Murine kits a few times. They don't seem to do anything but make my ears hurt. otoh the squeeze bulbs are just dandy for evaporating the alcohol when I go back to my normal routine.


gerG

 

[j3brow]

first of all.......go see an ENT doc. have em take a look in there and confirm wax packing is a problem. will get a good cleaning while you are at it. my ENT advised me a very simple old school tactic. 2-3 drops of j&J baby oil 2-3 x week. it will soften the wax and make it easier for the wax to 1) be removed naturally 2) physical removal by ENT or if you must yourself (NO Q-TIPS!!!). this method works much better for me than those damn murine peroxide drops....i too heard the snap crackle pop but nothing happened. good luck. also, wear your ear plugs while you shower.

 

[trains are bad]

I keep saying it....Water Pik!

I tend to have over active earwax glands for one reason or another and they will plug themselves up in a matter of months no matter what I do. My doctor actually recommended that I use a Water Pik.

Use very warm water, turn it up as high as you can stand (but be careful), and clean your ears out. It does take a while. You might want to do it over the tub. And be prepared to get some nasty stuff!

 

[rhythmicmoose]

1. Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 1 part hot water (not too hot... it's going in your ears).

2. Find a someone with a baby. Steal one of those big pipette things used to suck out baby boogers.

3. Fill the pipette thingy with the mix, lean over a sink, and squirt into your ears. Stuff will fall out. It's gross.

I usually have to do this every summer at the beach when the saltwater loosens the wax buildup and completely clogs my ears.

 

[Kram Sacul]

Get an ear wax removal kit, with the rubber squirter thing. Use a cuetip while it's fizzling in your ear to break up the crud. It works.

 

[dmunky]

Anyone use those ear scoops you can get in Chinatown? My mom would always use it to get earwax out when I was a kid.

 

[Inkmo]

I would go see a doctor. They are fast to pull out the vacuum, and faster to get the crud out. And they usually show you. So cathartic....

 

[kwitel]

use your household vaccum cleaner.
stop when forehead starts to cave.

 

[Oski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmunky Anyone use those ear scoops you can get in Chinatown? My mom would always use it to get earwax out when I was a kid.

I used to use Q-Tips until I found out it's compacting ear wax further into my ears and resulting in infection. Now I use the bamboo sticks and it works great. Even when I try the Murine stuff nothing gross comes out anymore.

 

[Teerawit]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmunky Anyone use those ear scoops you can get in Chinatown? My mom would always use it to get earwax out when I was a kid.

I do. I use a metal scoop/spoon thingy. It feels good just to relieve the itch from earwax. Having clean ears is a side-effect for me

 

[AML]

Ear candles are great for getting out deep empacted wax. You'd be amazed at how well these work.

 

[Patrick82]

http://www.quackwatch.org/01Quackery.../candling.html
Quote:

Candling poses several dangers, the most serious of which involve burning caused by the hot wax. Candle manufacturers claim that their candles will drip only down the outside of the ear, but shamefully few direct the user to hold the candle horizontally to prevent this. A 1996 survey of 144 ear, nose, and throat physicians, found that 14 had seen patients who had been harmed by ear candling, including at least 13 cases of external burns, 7 cases of ear canal obstruction with candle wax, and 1 perforated eardrum. The Bottom Line For most people, ear wax moves along the ear canal and eventually makes it to the outside, taking with it any accumulated dirt or other matter. Compacted ear wax should be removed by a physician or other health professional using legitimate instruments. Candling is both ineffective and dangerous.

 

[ken36]

Water pic. Great idea. For the less esoteric approach a simple ear syringe is a great way to go. Warm water. After ears are clean, a few drops of alcohol/vinegar solution. Done.