Ear Wax Blockage - any alternatives to doctor?

I'm pretty much deaf in my left ear right now from what I assume is an ear wax blockage. I don't have insurance (because it's really expensive for a student to afford), I don't have work-provided insurance, and I'm not covered by anyone's insurance plan. I've called into the local clinics and medical facilities - I'm looking at $250 minimum to fix this problem that would likely not even take a doctor ten minutes to fix. It's really saddening to think my last 25 hours of hard work have to go completely down the drain because of some wax stuck in my ear.

Does anyone have have any suggestions? I bought an Ear Wax Removal Kit, that everyone who has used claimed to work, and it hasn't worked for me.

Shouldn't make you deaf....

Shouldn't make you deaf....

LJS9502_basic

The bulb thing works. Use warm water.KC_Hokie

Dunno, never had the problem. But they do sell those ear wax removal kits at pharmacies otc. Check your closest pharmacy and maybe ask the people that work there. I've seen the kits for as low as 5 or 6 bucks.

Ear drops from the drug store.

I've heard rubbing alcohol works but never tried that

That sucks man, I've had deep impact ear blockage before and it completely throws off your entire body. The only way I could get it out was a trip to an ENT and have them suck all of the gunk out with a huge machine. I waited about 2 weeks, but couldn't wait any longer as the pain was unbearable (it become infected). As long as it isn't infected, I'd try to wait it out.

senses_fail_06

Normal head position is better I've found, hot water with a bulb / syringe and just flush it out several times over. Tip your head to the side and let the water drain after you empty a full syringe. Don't use too much force, just constant stream. Your wax will start to soften. It might also be best to flush it a few times and come back in 10 minutes and do it again.

[QUOTE="senses_fail_06"]

That sucks man, I've had deep impact ear blockage before and it completely throws off your entire body. The only way I could get it out was a trip to an ENT and have them suck all of the gunk out with a huge machine. I waited about 2 weeks, but couldn't wait any longer as the pain was unbearable (it become infected). As long as it isn't infected, I'd try to wait it out.

KHAndAnime

Shouldn't make you deaf....

LJS9502_basic

It can if there is enough of it... It hardens and needs to be levered out if it's bad enough.

Peroxide or mineral oil

Must be done repeatedly

Warm olive oil works well.

You can buy those earwax drops and use them.  They soften the wax in your ears.  But usually, you have to have someone gently flush the ear with warm water from a syringe/bulb.  However, it may be wise to see a physician as it may not be earwax causing your hearing loss.  There are lots of urgicare clinics that may be more affordable.

I don't have insurance (because it's really expensive for a student to afford), I don't have work-provided insurance, and I'm not covered by anyone's insurance plan. I've called into the local clinics and medical facilities - I'm looking at $250 minimum to fix this problem that would likely not even take a doctor ten minutes to fix. It's really saddening to think my last 25 hours of hard work have to go completely down the drain because of some wax stuck in my ear.

KHAndAnime

Affordable medical treatment for sub-elites is a socialist, un-American concept. You should be ashamed of yourself for daring to want it. Where's your respect for our hallowed oligarchy? :evil:

I bought an Ear Wax Removal Kit, that everyone who has used claimed to work, and it hasn't worked for me.

KHAndAnime

Does the kit include a syringe? A syringe (minus the needle) is all you really need. Prepare a sink of slightly warm water and simply squirt into your ear repeatedly. Don't be afraid to squirt with as much force as you can muster---a finger-propelled jet of water won't damage the tympanic membrane.

If the cerumen is severely impacted, it may take literally scores of attempts before you see any progress. Persist, though: Once the cerumen begins to break up, it will be quite easy to remove. It's not pleasant, but it's not painful either.

[QUOTE="senses_fail_06"]

That sucks man, I've had deep impact ear blockage before and it completely throws off your entire body. The only way I could get it out was a trip to an ENT and have them suck all of the gunk out with a huge machine. I waited about 2 weeks, but couldn't wait any longer as the pain was unbearable (it become infected). As long as it isn't infected, I'd try to wait it out.

KHAndAnime

Why can't you go to the ER?

How dirty to people let their ears get? Seems alien to me. HoolaHoopMan

Why can't you go to the ER?

airshocker

[QUOTE="KHAndAnime"][QUOTE="senses_fail_06"]

That sucks man, I've had deep impact ear blockage before and it completely throws off your entire body. The only way I could get it out was a trip to an ENT and have them suck all of the gunk out with a huge machine. I waited about 2 weeks, but couldn't wait any longer as the pain was unbearable (it become infected). As long as it isn't infected, I'd try to wait it out.

Wolfetan

I know everyone's situation isn't the same, but I'm cheap as **** and will spend as much time researching ways to save money on things I buy until I'm convinced that there are no alternatives.

[QUOTE="Wolfetan"][QUOTE="KHAndAnime"] Thanks for the really helpful advice. People think I'm dumb for not going immediately to the doctor, but I'll be damned if I spent $250 on something that I could feasibly fix myself. It doesn't hurt right now, I just "feel" the blockage. Whenever I turn my head, chew on something, or even take a deep breath - I feel that blockage in my ear. I'm going to keep trying to flush it out. I just don't want to permanently lose hearing...KHAndAnime

I know everyone's situation isn't the same, but I'm cheap as **** and will spend as much time researching ways to save money on things I buy until I'm convinced that there are no alternatives.

[QUOTE="BMD004"][QUOTE="KHAndAnime"] Thanks for the really helpful advice. People think I'm dumb for not going immediately to the doctor, but I'll be damned if I spent $250 on something that I could feasibly fix myself. It doesn't hurt right now, I just "feel" the blockage. Whenever I turn my head, chew on something, or even take a deep breath - I feel that blockage in my ear. I'm going to keep trying to flush it out. I just don't want to permanently lose hearing...senses_fail_06

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this is not sound medical advise and that you should be cautious of what you're shoving in there. 

[QUOTE="airshocker"]

Why can't you go to the ER?

Wolfetan

Same. I actually just cleaned my ears with Hydrogen Peroxide. Never use Q-Tips guys, purchase a suction bulb. Wolfetan

Anyways, this issue actually arises from attempting to keep ears too clean - the improper use of Q-tips is what  does it. I would barely even put the q-tip in my ear (just used it for the outer-most section), and along the outside of the 'canal', but apparently that's all it takes to cause blockage. Sounds nuts but I would use Q-tips twice as day at least (addicted to the feeling it gives).

[QUOTE="Wolfetan"][QUOTE="KHAndAnime"] Thanks for the really helpful advice. People think I'm dumb for not going immediately to the doctor, but I'll be damned if I spent $250 on something that I could feasibly fix myself. It doesn't hurt right now, I just "feel" the blockage. Whenever I turn my head, chew on something, or even take a deep breath - I feel that blockage in my ear. I'm going to keep trying to flush it out. I just don't want to permanently lose hearing...KHAndAnime

I know everyone's situation isn't the same, but I'm cheap as **** and will spend as much time researching ways to save money on things I buy until I'm convinced that there are no alternatives.

[QUOTE="airshocker"]

Why can't you go to the ER?

Wolfetan

[QUOTE="Wolfetan"][QUOTE="airshocker"] Yay for reading!! He doesn't have health insurance and doesn't want to pay.KHAndAnime

Same. I actually just cleaned my ears with Hydrogen Peroxide. Never use Q-Tips guys, purchase a suction bulb. Wolfetan

Anyways, this issue actually arises from attempting to keep ears too clean - the improper use of Q-tips is what  does it. I would barely even put the q-tip in my ear (just used it for the outer-most section), and along the outside of the 'canal', but apparently that's all it takes to cause blockage. Sounds nuts but I would use Q-tips twice as day at least (addicted to the feeling it gives).

Yay for reading!! He doesn't have health insurance and doesn't want to pay.Wolfetan

The ER is heavily subsidized, actually. It wouldn't cost $250 to see a doctor.

[QUOTE="Wolfetan"]Yay for reading!! He doesn't have health insurance and doesn't want to pay.airshocker

The ER is heavily subsidized, actually. It wouldn't cost $250 to see a doctor.

He asked though. And thats what he quoted him(atleast thats what it sounds like)Wolfetan

Yay for making absolutely no sense.

Also, KH, clinics aren't emergency rooms.

[QUOTE="Wolfetan"]He asked though. And thats what he quoted him(atleast thats what it sounds like)airshocker

Yay for making absolutely no sense.

Warm olive oil works well.

Postmortem123

Yeah. You gave me this suggestion not long ago and it seemed to do the trick. Three times a day I did it, laying on my side for at least 5 minutes after applying it into my ear. It doesn't get rid of it, it loosens it up which over time should clear it out.

Although if you feel any sort of pain after tipping anything into your ear you should immediately attempt to extract what ever you put in as the pain is a high indicator that you have a ruptured ear drum and fiddling with it can lead to permanent hearing loss. Ear drums can repair themselves over time if left to it.

You're always safer with a doctor to be honest though.

Just edited it. Wolfetan

Still makes absolutely no sense. The bottom line is it would not cost $250 to go to the ER. You technically don't have to pay ANYTHING to seek emergency medical treatment. Loss of hearing counts.

I remember I had an ear wax blockage and my Mom washed my ear out and then used tweezers to pull the blockage out. Have a friend that you trust to not stab you in the ear drum?

Hydrogen Peroxide. Pour some in with your head tilted and let it sit in your ear for a bit. You should do it a few times.

Elephant Ear Washer Bottle System by Doctor Easy.  Get it on Amazon.  This is a more powerful version of the suction ball that you are currently using.  It is very effective.

From your description, it sounds like the ear wax has impacted deep in the canal and hardened.  I have had the same problem a few times myself.  I've gone to the doctor 3 times for it.  All the doctor will do is lavage the canal with warm water and a bit of hydrogen peroxide - exactly what you are now doing yourself.  The only difference is that the physician is using a more powerful syringe and applying much more water pressure.  As my last doctor explained to me, the goal is not to "blast" the wax apart but to get the water behind the blockage and backflush it out.

Use warm water and a bit of hydrogen peroxide to loosen up the wax first. 

Just let your friendly earwig sniff around in therre, will clear it up in a couple of days.

Shouldn't make you deaf....

LJS9502_basic

Hydrogen Peroxide. Pour some in with your head tilted and let it sit in your ear for a bit. You should do it a few times.

WiiRocks66

[QUOTE="Wolfetan"]Just edited it. airshocker

Still makes absolutely no sense. The bottom line is it would not cost $250 to go to the ER. You technically don't have to pay ANYTHING to seek emergency medical treatment. Loss of hearing counts.