Ear Cleaning??

[Julia123]

My Dr. just told me I need to come back and have an ear wash. 100% blocked in one, 90% in the other, & I have an ear infection. (YUK!) The funny thing is I never felt like my ears are that waxy and I would have never known if he didn't just check them.
I was told by an older recording engineer a long time ago that I should only use q-tips on the outside of my ear and then leave the rest alone, and I've always followed this advice. So now I'm nervous about letting this Dr. (who know how good he really is at this) mess with my ears. Also, I don't want to create a situation where I have to keep going back, which I've noticed seems to be the case. I can't believe how nervous I am about this, but hearing loss runs in my family so I'm hyper sensitive. Any opinions on this procedure and it's after effects? He's having me put softening solution in over the next few days till the appointment. Thanks.

[Prime Mover]

Do it.

After a certain point of blockage, no amount of self cleaning will work. Don't worry about the procedure. I've had it done at a few different clinics and it's always been non invasive. They use one of a number of different hand pump or seringe-like devices to spray fairly high pressure water against the wax. The water may or may not contain some chemicals of some sort to help break down the wax. It may take a little while for it to work, the water needs to break through, behind the barrier and counter act the vacuum the wax is causing. Then it usually just comes right out on the next go-around... But it may take as much as 20 minutes for one ear (though likely shorter). Your 90% blockage will probably go quickly.

The thing about ear wax I've found is that it seems to create a completely flat frequency response in attenuation. I once put on headphones with my left ear 100% blocked (my left ear always gives me problems) and panned the signal hard hard left... It sounded exactly the same as no blockage, I was shocked. That could explain why you aren't noticing it if it's happening in both ears, you're getting an overall attenuation, just hearing everything quieter.

In the future, a way to prevent wax buildup is to, every so often, tilt your head sideways in the shower, and find a point where the water is shooting down your ear canal. That should keep things continually clear so they don't build up. I can't think of any reason why getting your ears cleaned by a doc will make you have to go back in continually. You should only have to go in when it gets really bad. From now on just do the shower thing or an occasional self clean kit (with water or liquid), and you shouldn't have to go back. The only time I ever have to go back is when I get lazy and forget.

Water (or any liquid) is your friend for ear cleaning. I wouldn't recommend using any implement to try to dig it out, you'll likely just end up packing it down, and could hurt your ear in the process.

[Julia123]

Thank you! That calms my nerves a lot. Now I'm curious how much quieter things have gotten for me. I have noticed over the past year or so that I have better hearing in my right ear. That's the one with the 100% blockage so now I'm wondering if this is going to make the difference more noticeable when both are cleared. I'll find out.

[MIDI Life Crisis]

Ask your Dr. exactly what he will do, how often he does it, and what complications there might be?

I had a cleanse done very successfully about a year ago and it was easy and painless. OTOH, my dad had one done a long time ago by a not so competent Dr. and it damaged his eardrum. It was painful for him but if there is no infection it should be fine. It should also be essentially rinsing and using water/hydrogen peroxide in a gentle but firm flow from something like a rubber bulb or quasi syringe. There's a specific name for the actual procedure but it escapes me at the moment. Some French sounding name like Earágê.

[Prime Mover]

I've just heard it called an earigation. Sounds like a dumb pun, but that's what I've heard multiple Docs call it.

Depending upon the implement used to inject the liquid, it might not even be an issue. a pump style one with a rubber nozzle is probably pretty hard to damage your ear with. The syringe I had once had a pointy plastic tube, and I'd be weary of a doc using it who doesn't know what he's doing... thankfully mine seemed really good. Maybe you can ask to have it done with the safer implement? I think the syringe is possibly more effective, but most of the docs I've seen use a rubber nozzle with a squeeze ball or pump.

[wylie1]

I had the syringe method done a couple times second time I got a little dizzy but was no big deal.
The first time I couldn't believe all the crap that came out I guess once you reach a certain age stuff just starts growing in there.

[Gravity Jim]

I've had mine done a couple of times. Easy, painless and no damage to hearing, although you will be amazed at how much different everything sounds when it's finished.

[buzzsmith]

This reminds me to book an appointment. We're having cedar pollen issues in Southeast Texas, and I know that I'm clogged from all of the sinus. And I definitely know my ears are affected.

I've had it done 2-3 times with a very competent ENT Doc.

Buzzy

[Julia123]

Thanks all. When the woman scheduling set the appointment she made it sound as if it is something he does regularly, even though he is just a general practitioner and not an ENT. I will call tomorrow and double check on what he uses and just to ease my nerves, how often he really does do this, and if he's ever had any issues or complications with the procedure. Thanks again, it sounds like something I really should do even though I'll be dragging myself in reluctantly.

[joelfriedman]

Julie, I've had it done in offices and I've done it myself. they do sell "home kits" - which are drops and a rubber ball like what mike said. If you do it yourself just do 1 ear at a time and be prepared to lie on your side for 20" as the stuff works away. Then use the syringe bulb in the bathroom with warm water. Literally rinse and repeat with the other side.

I love this list! Where else do you get discussions like this? Of course I've complained to MOTU about this, to bring it back on topic, as they need to add the auto-clean plugin Auralator to DP 9. You know Logic already has it, and that's why I've had enough with DP and I'm switching to Logic... Immediately!!! -:)

[Phil O]

Of course I've complained to MOTU about this, to bring it back on topic, as they need to add the auto-clean plugin Auralator to DP 9. You know Logic already has it, and that's why I've had enough with DP and I'm switching to Logic... Immediately!!! -:)

You don't know about the workaround for this? It's been discussed here over and over again. Do a search on ear whacks.

But seriously, Julia, I've done the home kit too. The one I did had you put a few drops in your ear, lie on your side for 5 minutes, then rinse. Easy, gentle.

Phil

[BKK-OZ]

I use a product called 'Audiclean', once a week or so in the shower. Few dribbles in each ear, lean the head to the side for a min or so, then rinse and repeat. Now my ears are clean, not sure about my my mind tho...

[Dan Worley]

I just use Drano, extra strength.

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[joelfriedman]

Dan, I'd vote for you in a second. I don't know why, but I would. Will you run for something?

[Dan Worley]

Dan, I'd vote for you in a second. I don't know why, but I would. Will you run for something?