Medical, Earwax Removed!

Ronald D. Whi
#1 / 5

Earwax Removed!

Thanks to all who responded to my post about my friend's
ear problem. Due to the overwhelming consensus for him to see a
physician he went. The doctor irrigated both ears with a large
metal syringe after inserting some drops. He says it's like coming
out of the dark. The doctor removed what appeared to be a plug
of wax about the size of your pinky nail!
The doctor said that some people produce more wax than others.
If this is so, are there any precautions outside of normal hygiene,
that he can use to avoid this problem in the future?
Oh yeah, he's sworn off Q-tips! :-)

Thanks,
Ron

Sat, 08 Oct 1994 02:14:42 GMT

Beverly Erlebach
#2 / 5

Earwax Removed!

Quote:

> The doctor said that some people produce more wax than others.
> If this is so, are there any precautions outside of normal hygiene,
> that he can use to avoid this problem in the future?

A friend of mine used to have to get one of his ears unplugged every
few years. Finally an intern told him that some people have irregularities
in the shape of their ear c{*filter*}that makes it harder for the wax to work
its own way out in the normal manner, resulting in impaction. She
recommended to him that about once a month he should put a few drops
of vegetable oil in the affected ear before bedtime, and lie on the
opposite side (i.e. so the oil would stay in the ear). The idea is to
soften the wax so it can work its way out more readily. He's been doing
this and hasn't had to get his ear irrigated ever since (many years).
He was somewhat miffed that it took so long for a doctor to recommend
such a simple home remedy as a preventative.

This is an anecdote. I have no medical qualifications. Your friend
might ask his doctor if he thinks this is a reasonable thing to try.

Sun, 09 Oct 1994 21:58:21 GMT

Rich Young (x371
#3 / 5

Earwax Removed!

Quote:

>> The doctor said that some people produce more wax than others.
>> If this is so, are there any precautions outside of normal hygiene,
>> that he can use to avoid this problem in the future?

>A friend of mine used to have to get one of his ears unplugged every
>few years. Finally an intern told him that some people have irregularities
>in the shape of their ear c{*filter*}that makes it harder for the wax to work
>its own way out in the normal manner, resulting in impaction. She
>recommended to him that about once a month he should put a few drops
>of vegetable oil in the affected ear before bedtime, and lie on the
>opposite side (i.e. so the oil would stay in the ear). The idea is to
>soften the wax so it can work its way out more readily. He's been doing
>this and hasn't had to get his ear irrigated ever since (many years).
>He was somewhat miffed that it took so long for a doctor to recommend
>such a simple home remedy as a preventative.

I used to have the same problem, but now I just let one of the streams
of water from the shower head run in each ear for a minute or so while
I'm taking my regular shower, and I've not had the problem for years.

Huh? What'd you say? Could you repeat that......?

Quote:

>This is an anecdote. I have no medical qualifications. Your friend
>might ask his doctor if he thinks this is a reasonable thing to try.

The above goes for me, too.

Mon, 10 Oct 1994 00:31:36 GMT

Andrew Koen
#4 / 5

Earwax Removed!

Quote:

> She recommended to him that about once a month he should put a few drops
> of vegetable oil in the affected ear before bedtime, and lie on the
> opposite side (i.e. so the oil would stay in the ear).

I wonder if the kind of oil affects how one hears things?
You know -- everything sounds rounder with olive oil,
crisper with peanut oil, and so on.

Followups to rec.audio.
--
--Andrew Koenig

Mon, 10 Oct 1994 01:50:28 GMT

Linda Sn
#5 / 5

Earwax Removed!

Quote:

> The doctor said that some people produce more wax than others.
> If this is so, are there any precautions outside of normal hygiene,
> that he can use to avoid this problem in the future?

I had earwax buildup a couple of times that had to be removed by the
doctor. He usually used a Water Pik. I bought myself one for much
less than the cost of an office visit, so I could do it myself.
.
.
.

Tue, 11 Oct 1994 01:04:49 GMT