Microsuction - yes or no

[Happyrosie]

A few posts recently have been about microsuction and its benefits or drawbacks. Here’s my take.

I always used to have wax buildups and was treated at gps surgery every couple of years with syringing. Then the nurses were reluctant to perform this procedure unless the ear was totally blocked. And then it took several weeks to even have an appointment to see whether they would or wouldn’t, then then more weeks till it was done ..... in the meantime deafness with increased tinnitus. Then I had microsuction on the NHS which, though painful (there was blood as well as wax and it had all hardened and stuck to the ear) was successful and reduced the T as well.

So I counted up my pennies and for just £150 had both ears microsuctioned - phew much better. Fourteen months later I needed it again in just one ear so for a mere £80, I think, it was done again.

Every time, I’ve had relief from T (which I’ve probably had since childhood). The only time that T becomes a problem is when I think about it, which might not be for weeks at a time. Unless I’m posting here!

So, has anyone else had positive experiences of microsuction.?

[Dave-G]

Had Microsuction several times for wax buildup, but now don't have the need anymore as I use sodium bicarbonate ear drops to prevent any build-up, works a treat

[Happyrosie in reply to Dave-G]

Ah, i wish it did for me. The GP told me to use sodium bicarbonate, and this caused bleeding - including immense pain and a visit to A and E. but I did try it again several years later, it didn’t stop the wax build up and the audiologist performing the most recent suction said it was too strong. Even if I diluted it. So I use nothing!

All this goes to prove, I think, that with T, some things work for some people and some don’t. Like Reiki, acupuncture and ginkgo, as evidenced by recent posts.

[RobertCLL in reply to Dave-G]

How often do you have to use sodium bicarbonate ear drops to keep them free of wax?

[Happyrosie in reply to RobertCLL]

If you can take its harshness (I couldn’t! It has to be daily or more often.

[Dave-G in reply to RobertCLL]

As I wear two HA for up to 17 hours a day it was recommended by my ENT team 3-4 drops in each ear every 14 days I have not had a problem with wax in the last 4 years hope this helps

Dave

[CalleLaurel in reply to Dave-G]

Hi, how much and how often do you use the ear drops, I have heard use it & others say don’t. I used to get my ears syringed every year or 18 months.

[Dave-G in reply to CalleLaurel]

See my reply in this thread

[Suzysunday]

I never had tinnitus until I had micro suction for ear wax at Specsavers in one ear. Now I have had it for 3 months and counting. I wish I had not gone. Seems we are all different.

[Ellan123 in reply to Suzysunday]

I have had the exact same thing, also at Specsavers. I had an ear infection, had antibiotics and it cleared up, but the doctor advised me getting my ears unblocked. I went to have the microsuction procedure on both ears two days ago and have had a hissing tinnitus ever since, and can't sleep at all. Am terrified that this will be permanent. Has yours cleared up yet? If I had known I would never have gone.

[Happyrosie in reply to Ellan123]

Ellan, I’m sorry your T is so troublesome.

Ive had T since I was a child, it was normal to me and I thought everyone had it. Like I have five fingers on each hand like everyone else. It wasn’t until I was in my forties that I realised it was T and it wasn’t troublesome. It’s far worse when my ears are blocked so I’m willing to pay £150 or so every eighteen months to get them unblocked, at which point the T goes down a bit.

My T has never cleared up nor will it.

If you are new to T then, as I understand it, your brain will habituate gradually. How long this takes is anyone’s guess - it’s about how long a piece of string is - and there are various things you can do to help yourself. The BTI website is very useful for this.

I wish you well.

[Suzysunday in reply to Ellan123]

Hi Ella,. I am surprised your doctor advised micro suction when your infection had cleared. I had one ear blocked with wax and was using olive oil for two weeks. My gp said they didn't do syringing any more because it was not safe. I had not heard of micro suction until I saw it online and assumed it was safe. I was impatient to get my ear unblocked and went for it. I wish I had waited for the Olive Oil to work. At the same time my other ear was hurting for a long time and after oral antibiotics the gp gave Otomize. That's set off tinnitus in that ear. Waiting for ENT appointment for that. After nearly 4 months things are the same. My tinnitus fluctuates and varies with each ear. I was devastated at first and still am as I think it was preventable. But what can I do. I have to find a way to live with it and when busy and out and about I don't notice. I can sleep but it does irritate. Stress and anxiety make it worse. I hope it gets less and mostly hope it doesn't get worse. Wish I hadn't gone to Specsavers I think the ad should say. Wishing you all the best

[Happyrosie in reply to Suzysunday]

As I understand things, olive oil won’t get rid of wax. It just makes it softer and therefore easier to syringe out. And as you say, syringing is no longer an option. The audiologists I saw are very much against olive oil ( or similar). In their view, olive oil makes the problem worse especially for those wearing hearing aids - which force the wax plus oil further down the ear canal.

[Suzysunday in reply to Happyrosie]

I understood that the Olive Oil softened the was so it comes out of its own accord. My gp recommended it but I don't know. I don't have a hearing aid. It's a problem. If syringing is bad and I've read many others having problems with micro suction, which was bad for me and you and olive oil is not good, what can you do to get your ear unblocked. My blocked ear was a real problem

[Ellan123 in reply to Suzysunday]

Thanks everyone. I only wish I had stuck with Olive Oil (Earol). I was using it for a week after the infection and my hearing had improved. Yes, my ears would have remained slightly blocked, but I'd take that in a heartbeat over this hissing sound I now have 24 hours per day. I even considered not going through with the procedure, but, like you, I wanted to clear my ears and believed that this would prevent future infection (it hasn't, I've now got an inner ear infection on the other side). Wish doctors would advise letting nature take its course more often! Good luck everyone and thanks for your support!

[Suzysunday in reply to Ellan123]

Me too Ella. Wish I had researched micro suction more.

[Happyrosie in reply to Ellan123]

I’ve let nature take its course in the past. But my ears never unblock themselves no matter what product I put it, and the deafness - to me - is infinitely worse than the T.

[Lynne-H in reply to Suzysunday]

Hi Suzy

I use Earol Olive Oil Spray (recommended by my audiologist) regularly to keep the wax soft but I still have to have syringing done occasionally but less often these days. I think it`s a matter of personal preference between syringing and microsuction. Personally having tried both I prefer syringing.

Problem now is a lot of GP Surgeries no longer provide this service especially at the moment with lockdown.

I`m actually going this afternoon to have my ears syringed - £50 both ears.

Lynne

[Suzysunday in reply to Lynne-H]

I wish I had used the Earol. Everyone reacts differently to these things. For my other ear, the Otomize prescribed by the doctor caused the tinnitus.

[Lynne-H in reply to Suzysunday]

Hi again Suzy

Well had my ears syringed yesterday - all fine. Then this morning looking forward to having my hearing aids in again discovered that the right one is not working properly - sound very low. So I have made an appointment for tomorrow with Boots hearingcare to get that checked but now I`m wondering if I may have an infection in my right ear and it`s that causing the problem. My ear hasn`t been right for over a week and I just thought it was wax build up. Anyway I`m sure I`ll find out tomorrow.

Another thing I`ve noticed recently is I seem to have acquired musical tinnitus along with all my other noises. It doesn`t bother me like my other noises did when I first got tinnitus in 2014 but it`s just a bit weird. It`s not just random sound - I get all kinds of songs including hymns. Don`t know whether it`s all to do with the current problem I have with my right ear - I shall have to see. Just hoping I haven`t lost any more hearing.

I`ll let you know. Take care.

Lynne xx

[Suzysunday in reply to Lynne-H]

Hope you get things sorted. The musical tinnitus sounds strange. I'm waiting for ENT for my right ear. No wax just intermittent pain. All the best.

[Happyrosie in reply to Suzysunday]

A couple of months ago another poster mentioned the music so you’re not alone Lynn

[Hillman51 in reply to Ellan123]

Hi ... I had microsuction done in July , had tinnitus in my left ear ever since, the wax was so bad in that ear, he worked on it for about 15 mins, I am sure that’s what caused it ...😊

[jojomac23]

Hi I had microsuction privately as NHS doesn't offer syringing any more in my area

I had to put warm olive oil in my ear for a few days before the procedure.

The procedure was over in seconds and was absolutely fine

[Happyrosie]

Thanks for sharing this jojomac - there have been a few posts here recently on the subject so it’s good to get a further viewpoint.