hearing problems

[figgydee]

I have been having hearing problems in my right ear (sounds are very muffled), and, checking my symptons, I think it's a problem connected to earwax. I read somewhere that to soften the wax a mixture of peroxide and water will work, so I've been trying that, it's been about 3 days and it doesn't seem to be working--my hearing is still muffled. I was wondering if anyone knew any other home remedies to get rid of this problem?

[mother25]

Hi figgydee, First of all DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR EARS!!! Sorry if I sound like your mother, but it is important not to put anything in your ears at all. Make an appointment to see your Doctor, or the practice nurse if there is one, and get your ears syringed if necessary. It doesn't take long, and if it is earwax you've got, it will be removed safely and painlessly. If your doctor is part of a group practice, chances are they have a treatment room, and if so you can often just turn up during certain times without an appointment and get your ears attended to. Please don't try and cure yourself. (Sorry to nag but it is for your own good!) I sound like my mother now!!! :-)

[IndieSinger]

I'd agree with figgydee - there's only so much you can do at home (have you tried Otex Eardrops yet?). The best course of action is to see a doctor. If it's earwax, s/he'll syrringe them. If it's not earwax, s/he's send you for an audiogram, where you will sit in a sound-proof room with headphones and a button in your hand. You have to press it as and when you hear the tones in your ears... it's fun!

[OBonio]

I had my ears syringed last year. Before they allowed it though, they sent me home to put a teaspoonful of warmed olive oil in the affected ear twice a day for a week beforehand. This softens up the wax and can help clear some out at the same time. Use a pipette to place the warmed oil in your ear. Also, hold your head to one side for a few minutes so the wax gets a good soaking.

[zgma]

This happened to me once too. My dad, an ear doctor, gave me several suggestions, all of which I could do at home - including the olive oil, and pure hydrogen pyroxide in the ear for several minutes. Lastly you can buy at a drugstore an ear-bulb - fill it with warm water and flush out your ears fairly strongly with it. None ended up working for me, and I had a doctor flush the wax out easily and painlessly. All of these remedies my dad considered safe to do at home - and he's pretty strict about what people should put in their ears and what they shouldn't. I wouldn't even think about using qtips or something like that.

[sydneysoon]

Hi there Sorry, I don't know any home remedies, but coincidentally my partner recently had very similar symptoms. He went to a local pharmacy and the chemist on duty said it was most likely a build-up of wax which had led to a minor infection. He gave my partner eardrops and recommended he apply the eardrops and then insert a cotton wool plug. Apparently it's working well.

[thewillow]

I'm of the "never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow" school. Go to your doctor. Don't let the word syringe put you off. It's painless, just feels a little but funny.

[tracymort]

you want to try ear candles. they really do work - http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/features/living/healthy_living/ho pi/index.shtml