ear cleaning worth every penny

[easysurfer]

I had trouble hearing (pressure buildup, popping sound) with my left ear. I'm out of town in another state, but ending up going to a walk-in clinic.
The doc examined me, and the result was too much wax buildup. Not to go in the gory details, lets just say I got them flushed and I feel 100% better. There was a little inflamation so I got a prescription for drops and have a followup next week.

The doc is also in my PPO (bcbs) network, so when the bill gets processed through my HSA high deductible plan, I expect to get a discounted rate.

"I can hear freely now, the clouds are gone..."

 

[73ss454]

I actually had the same thing happen to me many years ago while on vacation. I was in Hawaii and went to a local Dr.. He actually put a water jet that's used to clean teeth into my ear and broke up the wax. I was amazed at what came out but it felt a lot better once it did.

 

[easysurfer]

The instrument that this Dr used looked like a very large metal syringe which was filled with a warm fluid solution. One flush to each side and like magic, I felt fine.

 

[travelover]

My dog had an ear infection and I bought an otoscope to keep an eye on it. These are designed for people (usually kids), but they work great for the price.

Amazon.com: DR MOM Slimline Stainless LED Pocket Otoscope: Health & Personal Care

 

[Nodak]

My doctor suggested using Debrox drops and a water pick when I had that problem.

 

[easysurfer]

I had been using Debrox drops but was still getting no relief before seeing the doc about last week.

 

[Dawg52]

I've had mine cleaned 3 times in the last 15 years or so. Worth the money.

 

[travelover]

Maybe we should merge this thread with the electric pressure washer thread.

 

[mn54]

I was reading there are two different types of ear wax. One type is thick, sticky and brownish-orange. The other type is lighter, flakier and grayish in color. Those that have the thicker stickier type are more prone to cardiovascular problems. The type you have is genetically determined.

 

[Onward]

For as long as I can remember I've needed to get ear wax flushed every few years. Debrox loosens it up, but can't replace flushing via syringe. Once I had a doctor tell me that flushing via syringe could perforate the eardrum, so he preferred ear wax removal manually with a tool. It was the most excrutiatingly painful experience of my life. If a doctor ever tells you that, run.

I've also found that flushing via syringe is most effective if you use Debrox the previous couple of days. Hmm. Never thought I'd be writing about this stuff.

 

[Janet H]

TMI:
Earwax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ear pick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and most strangely

:

 

[Nords]

TMI:
and most strangely

I'm surprised YouTube hasn't already yanked that one due to grossout complaints.

 

[tmm99]

Flushing via syringe? Really??
It gives me the willies just thinking about it, but at the same time, if it is not scary, I may like to have it done.

So what happens to the water that gets flushed inside your ears? Don't your ears get water logged the same way you sometimes get swimming?

 

[Khan]

Flushing via syringe? Really??
It gives me the willies just thinking about it, but at the same time, if it is not scary, I may like to have it done.

So what happens to the water that gets flushed inside your ears? Don't your ears get water logged the same way you sometimes get swimming?

Water only clogs your ears when there is wax to trap it.

Had mine cleaned with some sort of sprayer by a doctor many years ago. Felt and sounded a little strange, but no pain at all.

 

[Onward]

So what happens to the water that gets flushed inside your ears?

It runs out into a little form-fitting bowl that you hold against your jaw.

 

[tmm99]

Really! Interesting!

So how do I go about getting this done? Do I call a nose/ear/throat specialist and make an appointment saying I would like my ears flushed? (I have a PPO, but have never had a pleasure of visiting any doctors in this field...)

 

[Onward]

Do I call a nose/ear/throat specialist and make an appointment saying I would like my ears flushed?

That's how I've always done it.

 

[haha]

TMI:
Earwax - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ear pick - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
and most strangely

:

I think you may have introduced a fetish I didn't know I had.

Naughty girl.

Ha

 

[Roger that]

you're always better off having an ENT speacialist remove the ear wax. Firstly they have the scope to magnify and look into the ear, and secondly they do not use the inefficient flush it out technique. They use a curette that engages the wax and usually plucks it out in on large ball. Takes only seconds

 

[BTravlin]

Once had a buildup so bad it was pressing against my ear drum and threw my equilibrium off such that I would get dizzy when standing up. Doc flushed my ears and removed one chunk the size of a pencil eraser.

I scuba dive and have an ENT clean my ears before every trip because I'm prone to this wax buildup. The wax can trap seawater in the ear canal and then I get ear infections. Going tomorrow in fact because I have a dive trip coming up on the 18th.

 

[easysurfer]

Once had a buildup so bad it was pressing against my ear drum and threw my equilibrium off such that I would get dizzy when standing up. Doc flushed my ears and removed one chunk the size of a pencil eraser.

I scuba dive and have an ENT clean my ears before every trip because I'm prone to this wax buildup. The wax can trap seawater in the ear canal and then I get ear infections. Going tomorrow in fact because I have a dive trip coming up on the 18th.

Would be nice if regular doctors have an ear cleaning as regular maintenance (like dental cleanings, eye examinations)? Seems like for the ears it's more treat only when symptoms occur.

 

[TopDown]

I had a physical a couple months ago and my doctor asked how my hearing was. I said fine and he said something to the effect that I had quite a lot of wax buildup and did I want the nurse to come in an take care of it. I said yes. Now I hear even better. Nurse said it is common in adults but it was the first time for me to need to have my ears 'professionally' cleaned. I'm trying hard to limit my use of q-tips.

 

[REWahoo]

I've been reading this thread with bemusement for a couple of weeks. It is difficult for me to understand all these ear wax problems as I have never had an issue. It is not at all unusual to have a doc peer into my ears and make a comment about the ability to see the wall on the other side of the examining room...

 

[BTravlin]

You're lucky then. My ears produce large amounts of wax such that I could give Shrek a run for his money.

 

[Rustward]

I've been reading this thread with bemusement for a couple of weeks. It is difficult for me to understand all these ear wax problems as I have never had an issue. It is not at all unusual to have a doc peer into my ears and make a comment about the ability to see the wall on the other side of the examining room...

IIRC for a time you were engaged in regular professional activity for which almost any ear problem could have rendered you unfit for service. So it is not surprising that you had no such problems.

As for being to see all the way through ... no comment.