where do you get ears cleaned?

tomdempsey200

bit of a dumbazz question

but who do I contact to get my ears cleaned of wax etc

thanks

Gp

Payton

Waxol from the chemist...

Payton

Waxol from the chemist...

kingtut

Try ceramol (chemist) and if that does not work get them syringed by your GP (I had mine syringed about 6 months ago and also had them done about 15 years ago - so if you have questions about the procedure feel free to ask).

josip

First time getting it done, definitely go to the GP.
Before you do, put Cerumol (from the chemist) in for 3 days beforehand so the wax is soft enough to get syringed.
After years of forking out 50 quid every few months to do this, some people do it themselves.

tomdempsey200

thanks
is there someone separate like an aural clinic that you can go to

tomdempsey200

josip wrote: »

First time getting it done, definitely go to the GP.
Before you do, put Cerumol (from the chemist) in for 3 days beforehand so the wax is soft enough to get syringed.
After years of forking out 50 quid every few months to do this, some people do it themselves.

what are the normal intervals for this

kingtut

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

what are the normal intervals for this

Depends on the severity of your case, doctor told me to use drops once/twice a week in each ear to keep my ear lubricated and prevent the build up (I guess in most peoples ears it does it itself but not in my case)

josip

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

what are the normal intervals for this

As and when it's needed, which for me works out about once a month.
Sometimes during/after a heavy cold, more often.

Alf Veedersane

Cerumol >> waxol.

As for how regularly it needs to be done, the shape of the ear canal plays a big part in this.

You don't need to go to a special clinic. It's a straightforward procedure. In goes a jet of water, out comes the wax. Job done.

discus

OP, I would avoid using any sort of drops until they have been recommended by an audiologist, or if it is the day before syringing.

I would recommend Diagnostic Audiology Services, they have clinics in the charlemont clinic and on the malahide road. Was seen by one of their staff a while ago, I've never seen such a comprehensive set up!

I found drops just caused ear infections, rather than solving thr problem I was ending up far worse. My ears were caked with mud, oil, god knows what else, took nearly 10 syringing sessions to sort it, although, they were with an NHS doctor... DAS solved it the next time with manual instruments in 1 session...! Pity I'm deaf as feck now anyway.

Alf Veedersane

discus wrote: »

OP, I would avoid using any sort of drops until they have been recommended by an audiologist, or if it is the day before syringing.

I would recommend Diagnostic Audiology Services, they have clinics in the charlemont clinic and on the malahide road. Was seen by one of their staff a while ago, I've never seen such a comprehensive set up!

I found drops just caused ear infections, rather than solving thr problem I was ending up far worse. My ears were caked with mud, oil, god knows what else, took nearly 10 syringing sessions to sort it, although, they were with an NHS doctor... DAS solved it the next time with manual instruments in 1 session...! Pity I'm deaf as feck now anyway.

Sounds morel ike an extreme case, to be fair.

GP always did it pretty quickly. I knew to use drops maybe 2-3 days in advance.

Of all the equipment they've used, the big metal 'syringe' isstill the favourite. Feels like your brain gets a rinse an' all.

josip

I've used all 3, and DAS are not surprisingly the best.
It depends a lot on the GP and if you've put in the drops properly beforehand whether they are sucessful are not.
A patient GP with warm enough water in the syringe is fine.
An impatient one with cold water isn't going to get anywhere.

rubadub

discus wrote: »

I found drops just caused ear infections.

I use hydrogen peroxide for ear infections, it also does a decent job of cleaning/loosening wax. But if you have a damaged ear hydrogen peroxide can cause even more damage.

discus

rubadub wrote: »

I use hydrogen peroxide for ear infections, it also does a decent job of cleaning/loosening wax. But if you have a damaged ear hydrogen peroxide can cause even more damage.

Where did you pick that up, and what concentration was it?

rubadub

discus wrote: »

Where did you pick that up, and what concentration was it?

Any chemist will have it, usually not on the shelf though so you have to ask, its a general disinfectant. Standard strength is 6% sometimes 3%, then you get hairdressing bleaching strength which is 35% or so.

This is the common brand in irish chemists, about €3 a bottle
http://www.ricesteele.com/liquids/hydrogen-peroxide-.181.html

I use the 6% straight, most recommend to dilute down to 3%, do not use the 35% neat!

it starts to fizz up in your ear for a few minutes, this foaming mechanically dislodges wax

http://www.md-health.com/Ear-Wax-Removal-Hydrogen-Peroxide.html

That link is for ear wax removal, at the end it says

It is worthwhile to remember that these ear cleaning procedures should not be done when one has an ear infection,

but other legit sites will give guides to use it for ear infections.

Earlier it says "ongoing" so if in doubt I would not use it. I think the real danger is you think its a normal infection but could have a would, and peroxide can stall a wound from healing.

but before you consider removing your ear wax with hydrogen peroxide, make sure you do not have an ongoing ear infection or a perforated eardrum

I used to get ear infections a fair bit, so my use of peroxide is more preventative of ear infections, rather than waiting to get them and then treating it.

Zamboni

GP syringing my ears is one of those weird things that you expect not to like but turns out to be a strangely pleasurable experience