Dr. Hive--peroxide for ear wax?

[AnnE-girl]

I think that I have a wax build-up. My hearing is muffled and my ear feels weird, but not painful. I had one a couple of years ago that was resolved with irrigation in the doctor's office. I'd like to avoid going to the doctor if I can. I've found instructions for using peroxide to break up excessive wax on WebMD, but I just wondered if anyone else has successfully used this method? I don't want to make things worse.

[Guest]

I always use peroxide on Q-tips then jab them in there to wipe up all the wax.

[Guest]

I have. My doc told me about it. It works but you have to give it a couple of go-arounds. And it sounds like Nisgara Falls in your ear.

[Guest]

I have and the doctor recommended it. It is the way I always clean my ears now, because it prevents a build-up. But there is a cringe-worthy moment when the solution goes into the canal.

[Garga]

The doc told us to do this for my son's ears. We follow what it says to do online. He doesn't like when it first goes in, but that's to be expected. There's no pain. Just noise and fizziness.

 

If we let it stay in there for 15 minutes, we get most of it out. When we do another round of 15 minutes, nothing much else seems to come out.

 

We do wipe with a qtip when it's all soft (after the 15 minutes) and I'm not sure if we're supposed to do that. They say that if you have a lot of build up not to use a qtip because it pushes the wax in further, but I figure that when it's all soft and liquidy that it's ok. I could be really wrong, though. It just seemed logical to me.

[Garga]

Dp

Edited February 5, 2016 by Garga

[Ailaena]

You can rinse out the peroxide (along with the ear junk) with warm water from the shower or with a syringe over something disposable. No syringe? Use a turkey baster. Or a baby booger-sucking bulb.

 

Be prepared to be shocked at the amount of gunk in there :p

[QueenCat]

. But there is a cringe-worthy moment when the solution goes into the canal.

 

It's a strange sensation!

[Guest]

I think it feels great! Tough it makes me SUPER dizzy.

[catz]

I've been to the doctor for this a couple times and with a little patience, it is totally doable at home! 

[foxbridgeacademy]

It's what we use.  We've only had a bad result the first time.  My son had so much wax that it caused it to act like a plug but it ended up coming out after a bit more irrigation. We also use cheap throw away droppers to get a bit of ommph or pressure.  Probably not recommended by Doctors to do at home but I tend to do things my own way.

[HRAAB]

If you leave the peroxide in your ear for 15 min., do you lay down on your side or what so it doesn't run out?

 

 

[Heatherwith4]

I had to go to the doctor for this last year. It was so bad I could barely hear. :/ They used very warm water, plus a couple squirts of soap.

[kbutton]

Kits like these have a higher grade peroxide that might be more effective and come with an ear-sized bulb syringe. http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-ear-wax-removal-kit/ID=prod6100589-product I don't know that they are a big advantage, but if you have to go buy something to do the job, you might consider it.

 

For the dizziness, you might put some drops in both ears at the same time. I use white vinegar in my ears after a shower (long story, recommended by ENT for my issues), and I notice that if I put drops in one ear and not the other, I am dizzier even after all the liquid drains. YMMV 

 

Good luck and have some old rags or something on hand from the goodies that come out. :-) 

[Onceuponatime]

My dh and and boys get excessive amounts of ear wax. I have them lay their head on a towel and pour peroxide in the ear, pulling on the ear to straighten the canal. Then I massage the area around the of the base of the ear to help loosen the wax. Last is a warm water irrigation over a basin, with the "baby booger sucking bulb. " 😉

 

If it is very impacted this may need to be repeated. If it doesn't come out then, we try again the next day. It has usually softened from the moisture by then.

Edited February 6, 2016 by Onceuponatime

[fraidycat]

I think it feels great! Tough it makes me SUPER dizzy.

This. Make sure you're laying down, or at least sitting before you do it. It effectively demonstrates the ear-balance connection.

[AnnE-girl]

Thanks, everyone! I feel better trying it now. Hopefully I'll be able to hear better soon.

[Katy]

Yes, someone in our family is using this method at least once a month.

[Baseball mom]

I use Debrox ear wax removal drops in ds ear. 

 

Lay on side.  Drop about 8-10 drops in ear.  Lay there letting it go down in ear and work (10-15 minutes).  Then flip (hold towel over ear) and let it drain.   Then I take a q-tip and clean it out (very easy, not jabbing)  Sometimes it takes a few days, sometimes ds can hear better immediately.   

[LucyStoner]

I am prone to seriously excessive ear wax. I had to have it taken out by doctors when I was a child. I used hydrogen peroxide as a child. It is safe. I have found however that carbamide peroxide is somewhat more effective. That is the active ingredient in debrox.

Edited February 6, 2016 by LucyStoner

[wonderfilled]

My husband used to have major problems with ear wax. One time he went to the doctor to get it cleaned out, and the doctor recommended stool softener.  I know it sounds kind of weird, but that's what he said worked best.  Make sure you get the kind without sugar. 

 

Since he started taking a probiotic regularly, he has had no more issues with ear wax or ear infections which is great since he would usually end up with ear infections or at least have a lot of trouble hearing until he got it cleaned out.  It was kind of an unexpected benefit, but makes sense since ear wax could be a sign of yeast overgrowth. So that's a thought, too, if you have a lot of problems with it.

[amo_mea_filiis.]

I use drops most nights.

 

Make sure whatever you use is slightly warm. Lay on your side, drop or pour some into your ear canal. You'll hear it if it hit the eardrum. Read, or use something to occupy yourself for 15 minutes. Then flip over (putting a washcloth or towel down) and lay on the treated ear for a few to let stuff drip out.