I would repeat that every medical professional I’ve seen about my ears (there have been a few over the years) has said that Otex is very harsh on the ear canal. The hydrogen peroxide can dry the skin which makes it feel itchy.
It probably does dissolve wax if you have small amounts in there but, if you have a compacted lump, it should be softened and then removed.
I’ve had my ears syringed (or irrigated as they do now) every year for the last 30 years. I soften the wax with twice daily applications of olive oil for a week. Always works, the irrigation doesn’t usually hurt but it’s not the most pleasant of experiences.
This year (for the first time) I went to Blooms the hearing aid people and paid for microsuction. It was quick, totally painless and much, much gentler on my ear.
£35 (for one ear) - no question that’s the route I’ll follow in future.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Well I would like to get it syringed but there are no appointments until the end of the month. I've tried olive oil then later otex.the otex popped and crackled like rice krispies so hopefully it's starting to work!!
Should have started by asking, is it very blocked or just painful or both now? Sorry to hear you're still in discomfort @the tidy gardener, did you ring round many places to see if you can get it suctioned? I know where I am there were differences in waiting times depending on where you rang, The Hearing Clinic were good and solved the problem. They do recommend olive oil for I think about a week before microsuction, I would personally leave the Otex alone.
Blocked and painful!tried the hearing clinic but booked up until next friday and they wanted payment over the phone which I didnt fancy doing.have to say the otex is helping but having done the warm olive oil earlier I think helped
Next Friday isn't too bad...though I know in your position probably seems like forever, yes they do take payment up front I suppose so they don't have people just book and then not turn up. Hope it resolves for you, I'm sure it will.
Hi - I have a history of all sorts of ear problems including ear infection, wax build up, partial deafness, tinnitus, pain due to pressure, and fullness of ears, so some of this advice from my personal experiences may help. I am not a doctor though and this is not medical advice. Last time I had issues was a few months ago. Middle Ear infection, excruciating pain (couldn't sleep), build up of wax. Got a tele consultation with the nurse who prescribed 7 days of antibiotics. Even so it was nearly a month before I was better, and this was in the middle of April at the height of lockdown with no face to face docs / hospital visits etc.
I also did the following which eventually helped: Put 1 tsp of olive oil (doesn't need to be heated, just out the bottle will do) into the ear, after 5 mins tip the head the other way to let the excess drain out. Note: Your ears may start to feel more painful as the wax softens it starts to expand. You will need to repeat this for a minimum of 7 days +, it will take some time for the wax to fully soften especially if it is a large build up.
Next: Amazon sells ear wax remover kits, I used one of these, they spray targeted warm water into the ears. Note : this is not the same as ear syringing for which there is some evidence in some cases that syringing causes more longer term issues with wax buildup / susceptibility to infection and tinnitus (note I am not saying this is always the case, just there is some evidence that suggests this). After 7 days of olive oil in the ears try using the ear wax remover kit and see if it will remove some of the wax. If not then just continue using the olive oil 2 x a day then the remover kit after a couple more days. If after about 14 days you have been using olive oil and the earwax removal kit and there is no more wax coming out then it is safe to say there is probably no more to come out.
As I say the above points eventually helped for me.
Otex (and other bicarbonate products) do not really do anything much to help remove wax especially large quantities of wax, and if the inside of the outer ear is infected as it may often be these products in fact cause irritation and soreness to this area, which is why it is important to keep using natural products such as olive oil and a targeted spray of warm water using an ear wax remover kit. Nothing further should be needed in terms of mechanical aids.
As a general "housekeeping" of the ears use a pipette to put some olive oil in about once a month to ensure any wax stays soft and doesn't harden and cause the same problems again.
If you have regular problems with ear infections there is an argument for not getting prescribed antibiotics every time as the effectiveness of these will wear off over time. Some antibiotics are also ototoxic which can also as a side effect cause tinnitus. However you may have to consider that leaving the infection to run its own course (which it will do eventually) may cause permanent damage to the middle or inner ear which may result in hearing or tinnitus problems, so keeping the outer ear as free of wax as good housekeeping also helps to minimise the risk of wax build up harbouring ear infections.
I would just pay the £60 or go to London (or some city with a walk in clinic) and have it fixed tomorrow. I wouldn't wait, it's making your life hell. Paying over the phone by card is fine.
It's probably cheaper than a new pair of prescription glasses
Thanks thrxvs It does feel worse today,in that it feels like a massive plug!the olive oil feels helpful,in that it softens and warms.then the otex later is popping and crackling a heck of a lot. It is tender rather than excruciatingly painful.i dont mind paying anything for syringing,but having to wait another week,then all the worry with covid,think I'm going to keep on with this for a few more days first.many thanks for your advice it's been really helpful
For some relief from earache have you tried a salt bag? Not a cure but seems to help when any pain gets bad. Put two teaspoons of salt in the centre of a small square of soft material (hankie). Gather up the corners and twist to form a little 'bag' of salt. Warm the salt bag by resting it on something warm (hot water bottle/radiator etc). When nicely warm but not hot place the bag against your ear and hold it there. Believe it or not the salt seems to draw the localised pain out/away from the ear. Most comforting and something used on our family for years.
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It probably does dissolve wax if you have small amounts in there but, if you have a compacted lump, it should be softened and then removed.
I’ve had my ears syringed (or irrigated as they do now) every year for the last 30 years. I soften the wax with twice daily applications of olive oil for a week. Always works, the irrigation doesn’t usually hurt but it’s not the most pleasant of experiences.
This year (for the first time) I went to Blooms the hearing aid people and paid for microsuction. It was quick, totally painless and much, much gentler on my ear.
£35 (for one ear) - no question that’s the route I’ll follow in future.
They do recommend olive oil for I think about a week before microsuction, I would personally leave the Otex alone.
Hope it resolves for you, I'm sure it will.
It does feel worse today,in that it feels like a massive plug!the olive oil feels helpful,in that it softens and warms.then the otex later is popping and crackling a heck of a lot. It is tender rather than excruciatingly painful.i dont mind paying anything for syringing,but having to wait another week,then all the worry with covid,think I'm going to keep on with this for a few more days first.many thanks for your advice it's been really helpful