NationStates Jolt Archive

I can barely hear a thing out of it. Last night at work (I'm a sound techie), I was using these ear plugs (which were quite uncomfortable), and when I pulled the left ear plug out, it felt like it was still inside there, even though it was completely out, my ear just felt so clogged up. So it seems it must be completely blocked with ear wax, but is it normal to have this much hearing loss just from wax blocking the ears?

Only when your wife is doing the driving.

(or, in England, when you're doing the driving)

*rimshot*

Yeah, it can happen. It's happened to me several times, which is why I clean my ears every two weeks or so.

Only when your wife is doing the driving.

(or, in England, when you're doing the driving)



That sucked and I shouldn't lol at that, but I did. :tongue:

Also, your avatar should be listed as a crime against humanity, under Torture. Good god.

Yeah, it can happen. It's happened to me several times, which is why I clean my ears every two weeks or so.

Really? I mean I've had blocked ears before. But I've never had it to such an extent that when I cover my right ear, and sounds like I'm covering both ears (basically, I can't hear a thing when I cover my right ear).

Really? I mean I've had blocked ears before. But I've never had it to such an extent that when I cover my right ear, and sounds like I'm covering both ears (basically, I can't hear a thing when I cover my right ear).

The wax could've hardened. You should see a doctor about it if you can't put a swab in there and dig it out.

No it's not normal and (considering the situation) it's probably not earwax but actual hearing loss. Upshot is that it is probably not permanent. Did you also experience ringing in your ears? If your hearing doesn't improve drastically within a few days go see a doctor.

The wax could've hardened. You should see a doctor about it if you can't put a swab in there and dig it out.

I read that it's a bad idea to do that, and can make it worse. I bought some drops from a pharmacy just now, if they don't work after a few days, I'll see a doctor.

No it's not normal and (considering the situation) it's probably not earwax but actual hearing loss.

But why would it only be in my left ear? My right ear is completely fine.


Did you also experience ringing in your ears?

Not really.

Screw the drops. Use H2O2, otherwise known as hydrogen peroxide in the ear. Just fill your ear up to the brim and lie with your ear full for 3-5 minutes or until it stops bubbling. Dump it out, and repeat.

If it's a wax buildup, you'll notice that the hydrogen peroxide (which is clear) will turn yellowish/green, and there might be small clumps in it.

That means it's working. Do it again.

I read that it's a bad idea to do that, and can make it worse. I bought some drops from a pharmacy just now, if they don't work after a few days, I'll see a doctor.

...It only makes things worse if you go too deep and puncture your eardrum. It makes things better if you regularly clean your ears that way, because it actually removes the buildup, rather than just turning it to liquid. I've done it since I was six years old, and my hearing hasn't been damaged a bit.

But why would it only be in my left ear? My right ear is completely fine.



Not really.

I don't really know but the same thing has happened to me before, but I noticed ringing afterwards... My guess would be that the at some point your left ear got a big dose of sound which your right ear did not get. Were both ear plugs in equally well?

That sucked and I shouldn't lol at that, but I did. :tongue:

Sorry, I had to set the tone for this thread.

But why would it only be in my left ear? My right ear is completely fine.

It happens to me periodically, usually in my left ear. Apparently I almost always sleep on my right side, and my doc reckons that gravity just does the rest.

I usually end up getting them syringed by the nurse at the Practice: a procedure that I find strangely uncomfortable while it happens, and then strangely exhilarating once it's been done. ;)

If I went deaf in one ear, the first person I'd be telling would be my doctor, not NSG! Although I am opening up an amateur surgery, with reduced charges and waiting lists but drastically increased mortality rates. You're welcome to pop over if you like; I'm open 24/7 but you're best coming in earlier if you want to catch me while I'm sober.

The wax could've hardened. You should see a doctor about it if you can't put a swab in there and dig it out.
NO, don't put a swab in, you may impact it further or burst the eardrum.

Get a wax removal kit, which has drops which contain (in part) hydrogen peroxide (to bubble the wax off the ear canal) and (I think) weak carbolic acid (to soften it) and a rubber syringe bulb to gently flush warm water in to flush the wax gobs out.

Otherwise, see an ENT to have the wax removed.

Were both ear plugs in equally well?

Yeah, and the night wasn't that loud. I've worked much louder, and I spent most of my time at the back on the sound desk.

I should probably say that I'm not actually completely deaf in my left ear, but hearing is considerably reduced.

I should probably say that I'm not actually completely deaf in my left ear, but hearing is considerably reduced.

Hydrogen peroxide in the left ear - leave it in for 3-5 minutes at a time, then dump it out and put in more. If it's not turning yellow/green and possibly contains little clumps of ear wax in it, it's not working and you need to go to a doctor.

Y'know, on the Q-tip box it actually says "DO NOT USE IN EAR" but that's really all that people use them for; kind of ridiculous to put that. :D

As someone who IS actually deaf in one ear (my left one, oddly enough)... go see a doctor. It's MUCH better being safe than sorry when it comes to hearing.

It makes things better if you regularly clean your ears that way, because it actually removes the buildup, rather than just turning it to liquid.

Not according to this:

http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/cerumen-impaction-earwax-ear-impaction-ear-blockage

Happens to me occasionally, on the side I sleep on. Usually coincides with when I have hayfever.

The wax could've hardened. You should see a doctor about it
go see a doctor
doctor
see an ENT
go to a doctor
go see a doctor
This. It's what the NHS is there for.

Not according to this:

http://www.thirdage.com/encyclopedia/cerumen-impaction-earwax-ear-impaction-ear-blockage

Good to know, actually.

Put it this way, there's very little chance that ten years down the line you'll regret going to the doctor.

Do the sensible thing.

Y'know, on the Q-tip box it actually says "DO NOT USE IN EAR" but that's really all that people use them for; kind of ridiculous to put that. :D

I know, right? Though I have to say that the information on that link has made me think a bit differently; however, I've not yet had any problems myself.

Sudden deafness can occur, but normally due to a stroke or other injury to the head. Most likely it will gradually return over a few weeks, but do see a doctor soon. Permanent deafness in one ear will significantly affect your work in music: source locating and perceiving of reverberation will be much harder without stereo hearing, though slight movements of the head might help a little.

I can barely hear a thing out of it. Last night at work (I'm a sound techie), I was using these ear plugs (which were quite uncomfortable), and when I pulled the left ear plug out, it felt like it was still inside there, even though it was completely out, my ear just felt so clogged up. So it seems it must be completely blocked with ear wax, but is it normal to have this much hearing loss just from wax blocking the ears?

If you can "barely" hear, you are not "completely" deaf, are you?

Also, gross.

I can barely hear a thing out of it. Last night at work (I'm a sound techie), I was using these ear plugs (which were quite uncomfortable), and when I pulled the left ear plug out, it felt like it was still inside there, even though it was completely out, my ear just felt so clogged up. So it seems it must be completely blocked with ear wax, but is it normal to have this much hearing loss just from wax blocking the ears?

I had the exact same thing happen to me a few years ago. Woke up one morning and couldn't hear a thing out of my left ear...

Get a wax removal kit, which has drops which contain (in part) hydrogen peroxide (to bubble the wax off the ear canal) and (I think) weak carbolic acid (to soften it) and a rubber syringe bulb to gently flush warm water in to flush the wax gobs out.

...this. Worked for me.


Otherwise, see an ENT to have the wax removed.

If the ear-wax removal kit fails, then yes, see a medical professional.

Update:

Ok, so I went to see a nurse (being the lazy student that I am, I never actually bothered to register at the NHS centre, I have now, but the doctor was too busy). The nurse had a look and confirmed that my ear was completely blocked with wax.

The annoying thing is, I have to stay like this until Monday, when she will wash it out (in the mean time I need to apply oil to it three times a day) WHICH IS COMPLETE FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!!!! I fucking hate this feeling, and I fucking hate not being able to hear properly. I am really not happy at the moment. :(

Update:

Ok, so I went to see a nurse (being the lazy student that I am, I never actually bothered to register at the NHS centre, I have now, but the doctor was too busy). The nurse had a look and confirmed that my ear was completely blocked with wax.

The annoying thing is, I have to stay like this until Monday, when she will wash it out (in the mean time I need to apply oil to it three times a day) WHICH IS COMPLETE FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!!!! I fucking hate this feeling, and I fucking hate not being able to hear properly. I am really not happy at the moment. :(

At least you know it's not permanent.

I fucking hate not being able to hear properly

I feel your pain. I have moderate hearing loss in my left ear (from firing rifles, not wax) and it drives me nuts. Of course, when I get old I may get one of those old-timey ear horns just to embarrass my grandchildren.

At least you know it's not permanent.

Yeah true, I should probably be thankful that isn't the case.

I had to get my ears washed out a couple of months ago and I actually enjoyed it.

It felt like my brain was getting washed as well

Does this make me a wierdo?

I had to get my ears washed out a couple of months ago and I actually enjoyed it.

It felt like my brain was getting washed as well

Does this make me a wierdo?

Yes, you are a weirdo.:fluffle:

*sneaks up*

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?


(One of the strangest feelings is when a little piece of ear wax "falls down" inside my ear. It's only a tiny bit and I do clean my ears on a regular basis, but sometimes this happens and feeling something drop or move within your ear is strange!)

Update:

Ok, so I went to see a nurse (being the lazy student that I am, I never actually bothered to register at the NHS centre, I have now, but the doctor was too busy). The nurse had a look and confirmed that my ear was completely blocked with wax.

The annoying thing is, I have to stay like this until Monday, when she will wash it out (in the mean time I need to apply oil to it three times a day) WHICH IS COMPLETE FUCKING BULLSHIT!!!!!! I fucking hate this feeling, and I fucking hate not being able to hear properly. I am really not happy at the moment. :(

Actually it's quite sensible. Using the oil will soften the wax and make it easier when she sprays water into your ear at high pressure giving a better chance of removal with less chance of damage to the canal and ear drum. That and there is a possibility that the oil will soften the wax up enough that it'll come out of its own accord and so not need syringing at all, which is good for you.

Hey, be glad you have NHS. The exact same thing happened to me and it cost me $100 to get my ear syringed.

yes that's normal. what i get irritated by is when i tell the doc and he says, your ears clean themselves naturally, so why the fuck is it blocked up now huh?.
I used almond oil.
boil a kettle of water put teaspoon in it, take out spoon pour on a small amount of oil. (the heat helps it go down further) hold head on side for about 10 minutes. once every day. seems to work.
But i empathise with you, it's really really annoying, it stops me from going out because i'm afraid i won't be able to hear what people say to me.

I forgot to point out that, judging by your avatar, I'm surprised you don't have this happen more often. Any visible ears appear to have been swallowed by your deformed giant head, so I don't know how any wax makes it out at all. :p

Odd. I've had some peculiar deafness in my left ear the better part of the day as well. I don't like it. Makes me feel blinded somewhat.

Odd. I've had some peculiar deafness in my left ear the better part of the day as well. I don't like it. Makes me feel blinded somewhat.

What?

What?
Are you deaf too, in the eyes? :p

It's complicated, but i have a peculiar sensitivity with my hearing. There's a few people with it.

They sell some ear washing drops at pharmacies, it's probably wax. You have to wash your ears a lot if you use those foam earplugs. I even sleep with them sometimes, though I cut them in half. You're not supposed to put them all the way in, that may have caused your problem.

Have you returned to stereo audio by now?

Indeed I have, it feels great as well! The syringing felt a little.. weird, but it wasn't painful.

Indeed I have, it feels great as well! The syringing felt a little.. weird, but it wasn't painful.
Good for you! :)

Glad to hear it all came out all right.

I feel your pain. I have moderate hearing loss in my left ear (from firing rifles, not wax) and it drives me nuts. Of course, when I get old I may get one of those old-timey ear horns just to embarrass my grandchildren.

I wish mine was from something cool like guns. I lost most of the hearing in my left ear from a bad ear infection as an adult. Talk about bad luck :/