This past week my one ear was bothering me. I have never had ear problems in the past. The outside of my ear was sore. I "figured" I might of had a wax blockage problem. Although it has never happened, there is always a first. Plus, I ve been reading on the internet, and all my symptoms fit. I go to the dr, which Is something I never do.The deciding factor was I was losing hearing in that ear.. It felt like when you are on an earplane and your ears wont pop. I try these drops from Walgreens, but it made it worse. Went to the dr, the nurse did most of it. She used this gadget thing that basically cleaned it out and flushed it. It was really gross. It took her a few times, but it all came out. She said my ear canal is so narrow, and no wonder why I couldnt hear. The dr said there is really no way to prevent it, it is just more of a problem for some people then others.
I was just happy I could hear again. He said my ear was pretty irratated where it was lodged in there. He came me some antibotic ear drops for it. Now, my ear just itches like crazy. UGH... I just hope that does not happen again. It was the not hearing good out of that ear that freaked me.
Has this happened to anybody else? Or am I just a freak?
He did say Q-tips tend to push wax further in the ear.

By Marcia on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 09:49 am:

One of my kids had that problem often when she first joined the family. She had a ton of wax build up, infections and had tubes. Her tubes are gone, no more infections, and although she does still get wax, I haven't had to take her to get it flushed for years.
Hopefully that was a one time thing for you.

By Tripletmom on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 10:00 am:

I've never used q-tips b/c of the reason your Dr.mentioned.Every month just put a couple of drops of oil in your ears.Wait 1/2 hr or so and just use a face cloth to get out the loose stuff.

By Karen~admin on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 10:02 am:

DH has that problem, and has had his done in the past.

By Kellyj on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 10:08 am:

You are not a freak. I saw lots of people on my family practice, peds and even Emergency Medicine rotations that had this problem. It always amazed me how much can get lodged in the ear canal!

By Debbie on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 11:35 am:

My youngest ds always has lots of wax in his ears. His pediatrician recommended we use some over the counter stuff once a month to keep it under control. It helps a lot.

By Tink on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 03:15 pm:

All three of my dks have had their ears flushed and my mom said I had mine done multiple times as a child. As your doctor said, some people are just more prone to excess wax. Health stores carry these "candles" that will remove the wax from your ear safely. My doctor recommended them and they work wonderfully. If you can find them near you, check with your doctor to see if he endorses them. They'll save you a doctor's visit and the discomfort of having your ear flushed. I hope you're feeling better now.

By Dawnk777 on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 06:39 pm:

We wash ears OFTEN, at the clinic where I work. You aren't weird at all! Most people are so grateful to have it done, and be able to hear again!

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 07:06 pm:

I've had that happen and yes, losing the hearing in one ear is very scary. I now use an OTC wax remover every month or so, but still, at least once a year when I see my ENT (for other reasons), his nurse removes large amounts of wax from both ears.