Ear wax build up

[NoelWatson]

I've only had this problem in the few couple of years - had ears syringed recently and already getting wax build up again. Could it be that I spend a fair amount of time using inner ear headphones, or more likely to be constantly catching bugs from the children.

[Pulse]

The wax build up may be due to an infection. I kept getting them with earphones, especially if I had any water trapped in my ear.

[bitwrx]

Olive oil.

I went half deaf last summer (incidentally after spending a week using earplugs in the workshop).

Went to the doc. He said try olive oil. Despite my skepticism it worked.

Get a dropper and put a couple of drops of warm (body temp) olive oil in each ear. Drop one ear. Lie down with your head on the side for 5-10 mins. Same other side.

Took a couple of weeks, but cracked it in the end. Ears have been spot on since.

[RemainAllHoof]

You can also get stuff to break down the wax from any pharmacist.

[bobmcgod]

It's quite common that some peoples bodies just don't clear wax out of the ear naturally. I unfortunatly am one of those people. There's a guy who goes to my doctors every 3 week fors siringing. I solved my problem by getting an earex pipette to clear out the wax. I just use it every couple of weeks and its fine.

[Carrot]

Think this answers my question, Are you supposed to repeatedly use earex on a regular basis for it to work?

[Gareth79]

Carrot said:

Think this answers my question, Are you supposed to repeatedly use earex on a regular basis for it to work?

The peroxide stuff is probably not good to use regularly, however I think he was talking about irrigating with a rubber bulb and water.

I get wax buildup regularly, I went to the doctor/nurse twice but then had a problem when I was in abroad in the US. I went to a Walgreen's for some peroxide solution, and saw they had a *huge* selection of home earwax treatments. I got a rubber (well, silicone) bulb and peroxide stuff and it worked very well, but now just use the bulb and warm water every month or so. I believe Otex sell a kit here. I read it might be counter-productive because cleaning it out just makes the ear canal produce more, but it's not a real problem for me.

Edited by Gareth79 on Sunday 12th June 00:37

[hidetheelephants]

I use earplugs a lot at work, and occasionally suffer from wax build up but have never bothered with the quack or the chemist. I find that having really hot showers helps mobilise sticky wax, especially directing the water into the ear by holding my head sideways under the showerhead. Sounds a bit weird writing it down, but it works for me.

obviously, if there's pain or discharge then the quack is the answer.

[NoelWatson]

hidetheelephants said:

I find that having really hot showers helps mobilise sticky wax, especially directing the water into the ear by holding my head sideways under the showerhead. Sounds a bit weird writing it down, but it works for me.

I discovered the same thing while on holiday in Dubai - combination of hot poolside temp, and hot shower afterwards meant earwax was falling out.

[Tuscanless Ali]

I use 3% peroxide every couple of months, Lloyds the chemist sell it. It's a weird feeling listening to it popping and crackling in your ear and it feels like a mini volcano going off in your ear, but it shifts the wax easily.

[zip929]

I had an ear surgeon do emergency wax removal on my left ear years ago when I was due to fly out on a skiing trip that afternoon.
I asked what should I do to try to prevent the build up and he said to do nothing.
When the problem occurs just use ear drops and then get the ear syringed.
His advice was that you should never put anything in your ear which is smaller than your elbow.

[thebigmacmoomin]

I found having my ears syrenged never did much. I have problems with my ears as they seem to produce a lot of wax & have narrow and funny angled canals. Now Ive been going to the hospital every 3 months for them to take a look (today was my 2nd time). Ive had microsuction a few times now and it makes it a massive improvement.