Ear syringing

busiscoming2

Hi
I am not asking for medical advice, but am interested in peoples opinions about ear syringing. Does it actually make any difference to you if you do not appear to have anything wrong! Has anyone found it a negative procedure?
Thanks

flea72

busiscoming2 wrote: »

Hi
I am not asking for medical advice, but am interested in peoples opinions about ear syringing. Does it actually make any difference to you if you do not appear to have anything wrong! Has anyone found it a negative procedure?
Thanks

why would you have your ears syringed, if there is no wax problem?

Flea

busiscoming2

A few years ago whilst on holiday in Corfu, we had to visit the Dr as my ds2 had an ear infection. The Dr gave him some antibiotics and syringed his ears, he also said it was advisable to have his ears syringed every couple of years as it would help stop this happenening. He had it done a couple of years ago by the nurse at our then GP's practice who shed no light on whether it was worth doing or not. So now you know.
He does sometimes suffer with earache/pain after he has flown, although he wears earplanes on the flight.

dieselhead

I have had my ear syringed a few times now as I seem rather prone to getting lots of wax (yuk). I very much doubt I would have been allowed to have it done if they had not been blocked. Now I can keep it under control by using olive oil in my ear to soften the wax and then your ears get rid of it naturally. This is not an old wives tale, it really does work!

oystercatcher

Ear syringing is to remove wax which is blocking the ear canal and causing hearing problems and or discomfort. There's no point in doing it if ears not blocked and it could actually cause more problems. Once you start having ears syringed they tend to need it doing regularly as it can cause extra wax production.

A quick check with your GP or practice nurse will ascertain if ears actually need syringing or if drops may help.

marrowgirl

busiscoming2 wrote: »

A few years ago whilst on holiday in Corfu, we had to visit the Dr as my ds2 had an ear infection. The Dr gave him some antibiotics and syringed his ears, he also said it was advisable to have his ears syringed every couple of years as it would help stop this happenening. He had it done a couple of years ago by the nurse at our then GP's practice who shed no light on whether it was worth doing or not. So now you know.
He does sometimes suffer with earache/pain after he has flown, although he wears earplanes on the flight.

Hi,

I can't see how syringing the ears would prevent ear infections, none of my ENT Doctors suggest it. They seem to happen more on holiday as people swim more (dodgy swimming water?) then nice and warm & moist for the infection to develop. In fact a little wax helps keep the ear healthy.
The earache on the plane is due to the change in pressure. Happens more often in kids because the eustacian tube (the bit you hear making the "popping" noise when you fly) is more likely to get blocked (without going into medical detail -yawn!). Before i fly I take a decongestant or do some steam inhalation, then during the flight I try to swallow to make my ears pop & reduce the pressure (its worse on the descent) . That's why they give kids sweets and give babies a bottle. (not just to shut them up!! )

As an aside -frequent syringing isn't good for you as the skin of the ear canal and drum is quite fragile -it can cause perforations (sometimes it is necessary though). Better to soften the wax with olive oil (as suggested above) or like me, just let the water (not soap) from the shower get inside, but make sure they are dried afterwards.

red_arrow_2

Hi- Having just discovered this particular thread, I wonder if anyone on here could give me some advice, please. I have a small eardrum, apparently, & have had to have my ears syringed every 6 months or so, since I was a child. Recently, I managed to go 10 months, before my left ear, in particular, began getting bad ( I regularly put drops in, which help, I`m sure, but eventually, it gets too bad). I went last week to see a nurse- she was only a relief one, semi retired, & she syringed my bad ear, then insisted on doing it again, which was a first for me. Now, even 5 days later, my hearing isn`t right- there doesn`t appear to be water in my ear, as its not crackling, but its as if its still blocked, as everything seems distant. Have I damaged my ear permanently? Is it worth going to the doctor? Can anything be done? Thank goodness this woman didn`t do my right ear :mad: Any advice/ suggestions would be gratefully received, as it`s making me feel wretched.

benny123

ear wax is a normal substance produced by the body to lubricate and protect the ears , it is only a problem for pateints if it changes consistency from soft and waxy to a hard wax plug which blocks hearing .
ear syringing shold not be done as a routine procedure as it has risks of infection and perforation of the ear drum , it should only be done in certain circumstances
hope this helps

Mrs_Ryan

I had mine done last week and Im still not hearing properly...

skintbuthappy81

I have mine done at least once a year, I have really narrow ear canals so the wax builds up and atlhough I use olive oil it still doesn't shift it all. Last year I had it done and as I was completely deaf in one ear, the nurse had to syringe it until I was pretty much heaving from the pressure of the water. Must say though once the 'clump' had come out it it felt amazing. I recommend it to anyone who struggles with wax build up.

xxvickixx

"That's why they give kids sweets and give babies a bottle."

Just to add further to this point, breastfeeding is best for babies when clearing the ears, the action is different to bottle feeding and works better.

Just in case anyone breastfeeding thought that they should swap to bottles on the plane.