The Menace of Ear Wax…

Now, I have to admit, I have rarely if ever, have I been troubled with Ear Wax, I have never had my ears syringed… I caught a viral flu a couple of weeks back, a sore throat & runny nose for 2 weeks, also weird noises coming from my ears, unlike any Tinnitus, that I have ever experienced… This could have been another bout of Covid, I have had it twice in the past, but I had run out of testing kits, so, I had no way of knowing either way, I just stayed at home for the duration. Anyway, I clean my BTE Moulds every day, directly after, I take them out of there dryer, I rarely check for wax in the tubes though as I don’t get much, last week, I felt my hearing was getting progressively worse, each day it seemed just a little tadge worse, and every day, I was getting more, and more irritated, asking my wife to constantly repeat herself, in a quiet room! Then 2 days ago, I was really struggling, my hearing was so bad… Now maybe the virus was throwing me off slightly, and perhaps, I wasn’t thinking clearly, but I decided to change the mould tubing, it had become a little brittle, I immediately noticed both tubes were plugged solid, with wax! Probably, a first time for me? 10 minutes later, I could hear again :rofl: I am a bit of a wizard, when it comes to changing tubing, I am very quick! Suffice to say, just because ear wax isn’t the norm, we should always check, just in case… Cheers Kev :wink:

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Sorry to hear about your illness. I hope you get over it and back to your old self and hearing.
About a month ago I got sick, thought it was COVID. Tested and it was not COVID or flu A or flu B. I was told it was probably RSV. It really messed with my respiratory system along with flu type symptoms. Felt bad for about 5-6 days. The chest and sinuses were congested for another week or two.
Just wanted to pass this on to you for information.

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When I realize I’m asking for repeats I change my wax guards. RIC

Glad you figured it out!

Best

DL

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One perk of “getting on in years” is the HCP I visit offers over 75’s one free micro suction treatment a year because of NHS waiting times, which I take advantage of. Although I usually require at least one paid for visit on top of that.

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Ear syringing seems to be a no no in most areas, except in my area it is still used. Classed as too dangerous. Yet it’s a procedure that the NHS carried out for years. I wonder how many if any have hearing damage because of it. Also is micro suction that much safer?

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Yeah Rick, thank you :grin: There is a lot of bugs and viruses going around, including some nasty variants of Covid, fortunately I have been building up my immune system with Bio-Culture or Biotechs for my flora, it is amazing how much better I now feel, even with a virus, no bloating, and no indigestion, the later, I have been plagued with for many years, it seems strange not to have any indigestion symptoms! Cheers Kev :grin:

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Yeah Dave, no wax guards on my BTE moulds… Unfortunately, I had gotten into a bad habit of cleaning my moulds, without actually looking… I will be more vigilant from now on! Cheers Kev :wink:

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Ear Wax Cleaning, appears to be rife in the Highlands Barry, I did ask my Audiologist if it was popular, when I noticed a new machine in her office, she said she was inundated with requests for wax removal… As stated, I have never had it done. Cheers Kev :wink:

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I just had a nasty bout of sinus infection but my doctor required me to get a Covid test before seeing me, Anyway I was negative for Covid and Flu A and B. Turned it it was a sinus infection and after a prednisone shot, a 10 day course of doxycycline and twice daily nasal spray I am all better. I had a weird noise in my left ear for a few hours but it appears to have corrected itself.

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A small hand-sized bulb syringe is easy to use at home, with a bit of slightly soapy warm water, to clean out the ears–once in awhile. Even if you are not otherwise troubled, it’s still a good idea!!!

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Welcome to the forum @WilliePete, I am glad you have recovered from your nasal virus…In the UK, Physicians are very reluctant to administer steroids, and trying to get them to proscribe any form of corticosteroids, is like drawing teeth! Cheers Kev.

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Thank you for that advice @mystuart, I will keep that in mind. I can’t help feeling there may be some connection between, me suddenly getting excessive Ear Wax, and a Virus simultaneously, when it hasn’t happened before, it would be interesting, if others had experienced excessive wax, during or after a Virus? Cheers Kev :wink:

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In fact, it’s time for me to do it today!!! :+1:

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Vietnam would be a nice place for your holiday or home stay. The barbers always clean the ears after every haircut. It is very cheap - less than 3 pounds per session. Check with your friends staying Thailand.

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@danka I was in Vietnam 2 years ago, wonderful country, although no haircut while I was there. Would love to see more of your country, only ever been to KL.

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Your question about excessive ear wax during that virus did something similar during my last illness as well. At the time I also ran fever for 2-3 days. My inner ears were always wet. I don’t think it was wax really, just sweat but it was noticable.

I typically don’t have much ear wax. When I wore aids the tubes and wax guards did not collect much wax. Now that I have implants wax is never an issue. I do clean my ears daily using a cotton swap after a shower.

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I tell people not to do microsuction. If you have tinnitus, it should never be done. I went to an ENT and she didn’t give me the side effects which can be temporary or permanent hearing loss. I got hearing loss in my left ear now worse than in my right ear. I know it was caused by the microsuction because when she went to do the left ear I felt pain and winced. I do not recommend this procedure. Have them do it manually.

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I wish I had done this before going to an ENT who used microsuction when that should never be used when a patient has tinnitus. The doctor did not inform you of the side effects which can be temporary hearing loss or permanent hearing loss. I felt pain when she did the left ear and now I have permanent hearing loss in that ear.

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I’m so sorry to hear this. . . I hope your ear situation improves. . . . hopefully, time will still improve it.

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I think it is what it is. I had contacted several attorneys but no go.

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