Deaf in one ear.

[kitchenmares]

Several of weeks ago my partner became deaf in one ear and the doctor said he cant syringe it because the wax needed to be softened first by pouring olive oil into it . He has used more oil in his ear than ive used in the chip pan but to no avail, can anyone give us some more suggestions?

[caz21]

How is he doing it? it needs to be in the ear canal at least 15 mins on each ear , he would need to lie on his side with his head flat so the oil doesnt spill back out, as its to soften it it needs time to work! don't put cotton wool in to keep it in coz it just soaks up the oil and also doesnt work,

If this doesnt work the doctor can prescribe some special sodium drops, or try otex?

[steviep165]

and make sure he's not getting the pinky finger in there for a good howk, that'l just compress the soft wax.

[~posy-jo~]

sodium ears drops can be bought from the pharmacy. i tried olive oil to no avail but the sodium ear drops worked xXx

[badgerchops]

ask for sodium bicarbonate drops from your pharmacist. �4.00

Also make sure the olive oil is warm and do not put it on cotton wool. the cotton wool just soaks it up and it doesnt get into the ear.

[Quizmonkey]

Surely he only needs to soften it on the morning of the syringing?

[Hellion]

Hopi ear candles are good too - it sounds weird but they are a candle 'tube' which you stick in your ear and light, the warm air generated softens the ear wax and is drawn into the filter - I'm not joking honestly - you should see the amount of wax that comes out - yeuch!

[meltoadhall]

he needs to put the oil in at least 2 or times a day for at least 2 or 3 weeks and it will soften the ear wax beautifully.
anything else is not recommended because chemicals can only be used for a few days and it needs to done for much longer.
I agree about the cotton wool- dont use any
the wax may even come out on its on without the need for syringing it - it he does have the ear done, make sure he carries on putting a couple of drops every week to keep the ear conditioned as unfortunately ear syringing can sometimes cause wax build up.

[derekpara]

Your practice nurse at the doctor's surgery will syringe his ear(s) after they have been softened with olive oil. Let the professionals do it, or the consequences could be serious.

[kitchenmares]

A big thankyou to all who gave answers to our problem about olive oil and ear wax, we definately havent been keeping the olive oil in long enough and are doing it now, the olive oil I mean! x

[flubber]

With olive oil you should ideally use a dropper - put in about 4 drops every night with your head on the side so the oil runs down the canal. Then gently pull the ear lobe a few times. Keep your head in a tilted position for about 3 minutes then just put a little cotton wool in the ear (not in deeply) just to absorb any excess oil. This is the normal way of using ear drops. It needs 7-10 days of this before your ears can be syringed.

Wearing a hearing aid that compacts the wax I have to do this a few times a year - don't use earex or anything like that (actually any nurse or audiologist or doctor would cringe if you mentioned that stuff)

[CrazyDaisy80]

Can I just say....
I ignored the Doctor and lied and said I had been doing the Olive Oil and the Nurse did the Ear Syringing and it was so PAINFUL!! It actually resulted in me getting an Ear Infection so severe that I went Deaf and had Green Gloop coming out of my Ear for over 8 Months....
I was Famous at the Hospital as the Infection was so pronounced and no AntiBug would get rid of it.
Therefore, trust your Doc and Olive Oil away.... Don't end up like me!!