The only problem I get is, after a shower or a bath, the feeling of some wax exuding. (Which is likely largey water anyway.) Never at all hard. Always same colour. I used to have absolutely no idea that anyone had earwax problems, at least, not on a regular basis.
Evidence of complications A postal survey of 312 general practitioners who served 650 000 people in Edinburgh found that problems associated with ear syringing were failure of wax removal (29%), otitis media (17%), perforation of the ear drum (15%), and trauma to the external auditory meatus (11%) Although 85% of general practitioners organised ear syringing, only 19% did it themselves?they usually delegated this procedure to practice nurses Severe injuries can result from syringing using an oral jet irrigator with a dental tip (whose original purpose was to remove dental debris). Trauma should rarely occur with the electrical oral jet irrigator with a special tip specially designed for ear wax removal, as this does not develop pressures above a safe level.
Do not undergo ear irrigation (either at home or at a doctor?s office) if you have a damaged eardrum, tubes in your ears, or a condition that weakens your immune system. You also should not get ear irrigation if you have an active infection in your ear canal. While ear irrigation is a relatively common procedure, there are risks associated with it: Ear infection
Otitis externa is a common complication. This is inflammation of the ear canal that could be caused by infection. It can be painful. Another potential complication is otitis media, which is inflammation of the middle ear that could also be caused by infection. Ear infections are one of the most common complications of ear irrigations. Perforated eardrum
Perforated eardrums are another potential complication of ear irrigation. In some cases, ear irrigation will press against the wax and make it more compacted. This makes it harder to remove and may put more pressure on the eardrum, increasing risk of perforation. In some cases, fluid becomes trapped in the ear canal and causes an increase in pressure that can rupture the eardrum.
Other complications
In rare cases, additional complications can occur. These include:
vertigo, which is the sensation of the room spinning in circles around you (typically temporary) deafness, which can be temporary or permanent
Since earwax buildup can be harmful over time or be the result of other health conditions, see your doctor if your symptoms aren?t improving after at-home care. They may want to try other methods or send you to an ear specialist. Those who use hearing aids are especially prone to having earwax buildup. Additionally, cotton-tipped swabs should not be inserted into the ear canal, as these are known to push wax against the eardrum and ear canal."
My surgery hasn't used simple syringing for years.
They require you to use ear drops for a couple of days before the visit. Check the wax is soft before proceeding. The machines they use has a warm pulsed water jet. Which you don't notice being used - unlike syringing.
If it's only in one ear and you habitually sleep on only one side, then you could try sleeping on the other side for a while, if that's possible. Then maybe start alternating.
The ears normally rid themselves of wax while you're asleep, but if someone sleeps exclusively on one side then this can create problems.
IME at least, as with a low pillow and a firm mattress, paying more attention to your posture and position while asleep, can make a big difference to all sorts of things.
Tim, Can you elaborate on using these? eg can you feel when they touch the eardrum? can you feel it in the ear, or do you just have to be careful not to press too hard?
Like others here I've been 'conditioned' not to poke anything in. If that's a fallacy, a lot of us have been had ;-(
I wonder how you get through in life if you always equate ?potential for harm? with ?actual harm?? I?m guessing you?ve never worn contact lenses then? Did you know that people actually poke things in their own eyes! Shocking, isn?t it?
Also, you seem to think that zero experience is sound foundation for offering advice (presumably parroting what your mother told you). I?ve been de-waxing my ears manually for 50 years now.
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