Safest way to remove earwax

[spillthetea]

Hi everyone,

What’s the safest method for removing wax for us, T sufferers?

Thinking about using olive oil drops only and waiting for the wax to come out naturally… Is it a good idea?

Any recommendation?

Thank you,

[Happyrosie]

nurse at my docs practice said olive or almond oil, as did an ENT consultant. My own doc says bicarbonate of soda drops (you get these from a pharmacy). Some docs practices will do irrigation.

I get mine suctioned privately, and my audiologist at that practice says not to use anything. Told me that bicarbonate is too strong (and I agree - my ear bled and I had to go to A&E) and that oil just makes the wax waxier and therefore the body produces even more wax.

Other posters may have other ideas!

[spillthetea in reply to Happyrosie]

Thank you Happyrosie

I had my ears microsuctioned once but I had an increased perception of my T afterwards (plus new sounds in the ear that didn’t have T), so I am now a bit wary about doing the same again… 😣

I wish I could just do microsuction…

[doglover1973]

You can have wax removed manually if you can find someone who does it. I believe it might be the safest way though I've not had it done. There was a thread about it a while ago. I'll have a root around for you.

[doglover1973]

Here it is .. healthunlocked.com/tinnitus...

[spillthetea in reply to doglover1973]

Thanks! doglover1973

[Katyjim2]

Hi ,

I tried olive oil drops and I felt like it made my ears feel even more clogged ( but my wax was very impacted )

A very lovely audiologist at Specsavers removed mine manually with her ‘tools’ after I explained how worried I was about micro suction making my tinnitus worse .

[spillthetea in reply to Katyjim2]

Thanks  Katyjim2 - I have an appointment at Specsavers this week, I’ll ask them for manual removal - although they do not advertise it as a service.

[oldanddeaf]

Microsuction made my tinnitus worse, so if you can find someone to do it manually, perfect! Sodium bicarb drops can be drying compared to olive oil. These are OK for wax that is not too deep in the canal. Good luck!

[perlcoder]

It is not specific to T, but the brilliant ENT surgeon Vik Veer has a two-part series on his Youtube channel comparing different modes of removal.

First one:

youtube.com/watch?v=qos5xwA...(Not working as expected?)

[bournville]

Hi please don’t use Bicarb of soda drops. Never used it myself but a few people claiming it’s been problematic.

Microsuction i would caution against if you have noise induced tinnitus. The reason for this is it’s incredibly loud. I did experience temporary tinnitus having Microsuction and that was before my noise induced tinnitus.

As a few others have said if you can find the right person - manual removal with hand tools is the safest way.

I am prone to wax build up but unless the wax is causing me actual hearing problems I don’t bother with it. Humans are excellent self regulating machines with wax in their ears for millions of years. Unless you really have to take it out personally I’d leave It alone

[spillthetea]

I went to Specsavers and it turned out I don't have a wax problem, all within normal range.

I think I'd leave it alone.

Thanks to everyone!