I just can't hear you! (Ear Syringeing)

Member Name: sweetpea1

Product:	Ear Syringeing
Date:	15/01/04 (3807 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It tickles, Nice when you can hear again

Disadvantages: The build up of wax, Not being able to hear, It could affect my hearing in time

When it comes to my ears (both of them!), I have a terrible problem keeping them clean so I can hear out of them! I never used to have problems with them. It's only been in the past 10 years or so.

You see, my ears build up with wax very quickly. Therefore, every now and again, I need to get them cleaned out. It usually works out me visitng the Nurse every 2 - 3 months each ear to get them syringed.

But, what caused your ear to build up with wax so quickly? Well, the Nurse told me that a lot of noise could cause it. As I work at a Fun Fair (not now, but in the summer), this is probably the reason why! I'm surrounded by constant noise all day long from the rides, music and screaming kids!

But, when you want your ears syringing, it's no good just booking an appointment and turning up to get them done. It simply won't work. The wax will be hard, therefore making it difficult to remove. There are certain things you need to do before visiting your Nurse.

You will need to be inserting eardrops for about a week before hand. This will soften the wax, making it easier to remove. The wax will easily come out of your ear then. Olive oil can be used as well. This will obviously work out cheaper than buying eardrops! But, this is totally your choice. I did used to use Earex eardrops. But, as these drops weren't working on my ear, I decided to go back to using the oil. But then I saw Otex Eardrops being advertised on telly, so decided to give them a go. The trouble is, these eardrops don't come cheap at £4.39 for an 8ml tube. (Although I should be writing a totally seperate review for these drops!).

Needless to say, I was glad I bought them! The best way to insert the drops into the deafened ear is to lay on your side and insert 2 or 3 drops into your ear tunnel. The eardrops will then flow down your ear at ease. It may be useful, to get a piece of cotton wool and apply vaseline to it. Pl
ace the cotton wool into your ear after inserting the drops. The drops will run down your ear more effectively then. (Oil and grease don't mix, do they?!).

So, a week or so has passed, and you make an appointment with your Nurse. A Doctor is not generally required. Unless, of course, you're having serious problems with your ears apart from the wax stopping you from hearing. The Nurse will look into your ear. I don't know what they are called, but it's a telescope of sorts with a light on. It's not painful, and she is just looking to see the extent of the wax. Some Nurses have asked me to take my earring out, but not normally.

She will fill a small plastic container with warm water. The container is attatched to a thin pump with an equally sized nozzle on the end. This nozzle is placed just in your ear. She will give you a (probably, 'cos mine does!) metal container for you to hold under your ear lobe to catch the water. The machine she used to wash your ear is electric, but I will tell you of another form in a minute. As she places the nozzle in your ear and turn it on, you will hear a rather loud humming, shuddering noise. Well, of course it will be somewhat loud considering it's right in your earhold! The sensation is quite nice in my opinion. I do really enjoy getting my ear washed! It tickles, but this may not always be the case. Depending on how the Nurse washes your ears, it could hurt. But, then you must tell her - or him. Once she has washed your ear for a minute or two she will once again look in your ear. If it is clean, then job done. If it isn't, then she will carry on again.

Another way of washing your ear out, which is incidentally my least favourite, is by the pump version. This doesn't hurt. But a pump is filled with water and the Nurse will squirt it into your ear. This works just as well as the electronic version, but it doesn't tickle!

If you'v
e never had your ears syringed before, don't be nervous as it certainly doesn't hurt. But, it can be annoying when your ears keep blocking up.

I am worried in case after all this syringeing it could affect my hearing. As yet, it still okay (apart from when it's blocked!), but who knows what it will be like in time. I've had no-one from the medical profession tell me this, but it is a worry.

Thanks for reading!
Louise

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