Ear Wax viewer

[Chris Hogg]

Some six weeks ago, someone asked whether anyone had ordered one of these devices.

As I was having possible ear-wax problems in one ear, I decided to get one. It took six weeks to come. I think the 'slow boat to China' was making its return trip. In the box was a 15cm stainless-steel probe attached to 2m cable, terminating in three sizes of USB plug, for PCs or mobiles. In-line with the cable is a brightness control to alter illumination at the probe tip.

Also in the box was a little packet containing two perspex scoops, for digging out wax or doing permanent damage to your eardrum, or both, a cleaning cloth and a 3cm bit of sleeve which I they say is to protect the eardrum. There is also an instruction sheet.

The camera can be used with an Android phone, a PC with Windows or Mac (I have W10). With Windows, you have to download and install the software, which in my case took several attempts. It seemed to take ages to download, and crashed on a couple of occasions, as did extracting the zip file. I was about to give up when suddenly it all just happened. With a Mac system you don't need to download any software, apparently.

The only problem I have with it, is when I come to close the programme, it puts up an error message that it can't write the .INI file, and it will not close. I've given it full user rights (I think), so it shouldn't be that that's stopping it. As a work-around, I go through Task Manager to close it.

I can see the inside of my ear quite well, but have yet to understand what I'm seeing, whether it's wax or the eardrum. I need to examine both ears for comparison. I haven't attempted to scoop out any wax, nor shall I.

Lastly, be very careful when inserting anything into your ears, as you can easily damage your eardrum.

[Jeff Layman]

Thanks for the detailed review. I've looked at quite a few of these devices available online, and have been able to avoid buying one as I doubt if any will run through USB using Linux as there is no mention of a driver! The perspex scoops are a definite no-no, too. If you want to use anything, ISTM that the syringe bulb available with Otex Express will do the least damage (unless you have a perforated eardrum, of course, when nothing should be squirted into the ear canal).

[David]

I also bought one of these types of devices, mainly because I thought it might be useful to poke down spark plug and injector holes in engines. Tremendous value for about £7.

I haven't yet poked it into an engine, but I have poked it into my ears. I too decided not to use any of the variety of eardrum-piercing tools (mine came with a couple of stainless wire ones for precision!) but it's interesting to have a look to see what's in there.

David

[AnthonyL]

It's quite safe to scoop stuff out from your ears providing you use your elbows to do it.

[John Rumm]

Many of these things basically look like a USB web cam to the computer when it comes down to it.

Something designed for the Win95 era (pun intended!) by the sounds of it.

You may find that you can open it as a video source in VLC media player.

Shine a torch in the other ear, see if it helps! ;-)

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Yup.

My surgery - in better times - will do an ear examination and wax removal while you wait, as it's done by the nurse.

[Mr Pounder Esquire]

[Chris Hogg]

To remove ear wax, insert compressed air line into opposite ear and blow it through.

[Tim+]

Absolutely true if you?re a cack-handed half-wit. Well within the abilities of most folk with appropriate care. ;-)

I?ve been using ear wax curettes for years and recently bought one of these cameras just to check what my ear drum and canal are like. No sign of any scarring of inflammation.

Eg.

Very easy to use. Your ear canal has plenty of nerve endings that let you know if you?ve touched anything you shouldn?t have (like your ear drum).

Regarding the camera, mine won?t work with the latest version of android on my phone which is a bit annoying although it works fine on my Windows 7 pc. Software seems to consist of a zipped exe file which you just drag somewhere and run. Doesn?t seem to do any installation.

I?ve tried to tools but it?s very confusing orientating yourself and trying to move the tools in the appropriate direction. Much easier to to it ?blind? by feel with a normal curette.

Tim

[Tim+]

Or, just buy these and save £100 pa.

Very easy to use.

Tim

[John Rumm]

The alternative to "while you wait" being a drop off service? :-)

[Chris Hogg]

Yes. The camera app that I assume comes with W10 works it OK, and actually closes OK as well. I can call it up from the task bar, but how do I put a short-cut onto the desktop?

[Chris Hogg]

OK, I've managed it now.

[Chris Hogg]

As I've found I can run mine using W10's own built-in camera app, is there an equivalent in Linux? I know nothing about Linux, but there's plenty of suggestions on the net, like this, for example

[alan_m]

The only thing you should stick down your ear is your elbow.

A few years back I had a completely blocked ear and it was a PITA. I was advised by the doctor to only use Sodium bicarbonate ear drops. For 3 or

4 days nothing appeared to have worked but the next day on waking up I had a large wodge of near black earwax coming out of my ear.

Plenty of youtube videos showing ear wax removal. They suggested dark coloured wax was the older wax and the lighter colour newer earwax. The eardrum seems to light grey in these videos.

[Tim Streater]

That used to be the case with us. Historically (a d this was my experience in Geneva and the US, too) they used a large turkey baster jobby. Then a few years back they used this impulse water pressure thingy. in all cases done by the practice nurse.

Then last time I needed it, suddenly it needed a doctor's appt to look and then the Doc organised an appt with the specialist with her little vacuum cleaner and dentists glasses etc. God knows why - the turkey baster plus hot water worked just fine.

[Brian Gaff (Sofa)]

Yes, also sometimes you can push the wax further in. Its the kind of thing you can do in the outer ear, but many peoples ears are not straight at all, mine goes upward then down according to my doctor, which he thinks is why I hate getting water in my ears, it won't drain out properly. I'd have no use for such a device, but maybe in careful hands it can be of use. Brian

[Brian Gaff (Sofa)]

You can remove soft wax with very pliable plastic rounded devices, but its really a feel based job, as you cannot put a scope in while the device to remove the wax is in there. I found it easier to handle the device myself rather than let some young nurse poke about after a syringing. Brian

[John Rumm]

Presumably you still stayed attached to the ears at all times though? (i.e. while you wait, rather than go home and come back later)

[Jeff Layman]

Brilliant stuff! And they are long enough that if you can't get the wax out from one side, you can push it out from the other side.