Forum Topic

Ear wax a problem unsolved

Our visitor came from H&F. She was suffering from deafness caused by earwax which she had been treating with a softening agent prescribed by her GP. She hoped to receive the bubbly water treatment to remove the wax before returning to work. She wasn't clear how she could book her GP appointment before then. She was in discomfort and felt disorientated. I thought this could be treated locally. At Ealing Urgent Care Centre (attached to but not run by Ealing Hospital)they said they had the equipment but wouldn't do it. At the Urgent Care Centre attached to West Middx Hospital they would not do it. "We don't do it." They however gave her a friendly sheet with contact details for a clinic in W1 @ £80 one or both or The GP Surgery at Wimbledon SW19 from £55. Anyone with advice or similar story?

Arthur Breens ● 3424d8 Comments

i have had this procedure done a few times by the nurse at my local gp practice in Brentford.

Emma Renton ● 3424d

Nurse does it at my surgery too. Same at previous GPs too.

Graham Weeks ● 3424d

She wasn't clear how she could book her GP appointment before thenMy local GP surgery also provides this service although it's carried out by just one of their nurses, as far as I know.When booking an appointment with her, you're asked to put olive oil in the affected ear(s) for 7 days and a date is then arranged accordingly.Arthur - even if your friend's surgery doesn't provide this service, her GP will still be required to arrange for it to be done for her by the NHS.A family member recently had ear wax removed by some sort of "hoover" rather than the water method and said it worked pretty well.  I understand additional practitioner training is required before this can be offered - has anyone had this treatment?

Phil Kay ● 3424d

Last night my ears went funny when chatting to a friend. When I speak my voice sounds strange(to me) and eating or drinking sounds seem louder! Our surgery made an appointment for tomorrow but said I could go along to the Urgent Care Centre in Hammersmith Hospital today, which I did. They could find nothing wrong, no wax, pain or anything but still the problem persists. I thought it might have been due to ear wax!I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow who may refer me for further tests. Tried popping my ears, swallowing and so on but to no avail.Has anyone had a similar problem? If so do you know the cause?

Jean F Fernandez ● 3424d

I have.

Graham Weeks ● 3424d

WHATS THAT YOU SAY?

Colin Goodman ● 3423d

There is a brilliant private clinic in Corfton Road Ealing called Ear Care Lab where a doctor with specialist ENT knowledge can remove wax without pre- treatment with oil. They use a suction method.  A couple of people I know have used them and found them very good.  It did cost £65, but they thought it was worth it in the circumstances, as otherwise you wait weeks for appointments with GPs and nurses.

Janet Mynors ● 3423d

Like a lot of people I have have the same trouble with the build up with ear wax.I have had then syringed out by the nurse in my GP practice, but they are starting to delay the procedure by asking you to add sodium Bicarb drops for two weeks to soften the wax.But Last year I had the same symptoms but on examination the GP said there's no wax, but there is a sign of water behind the ear drum. I was prescribed a steroid nasal spray to clear up the blockage in my sinusitis.Or an old method is inhalation over a blow of steam with menthol and eucalyptus.  So there is more than one simple problem for deafness, although there are a lot of other complications that need investigating.I am not a member of the medical profession so I can only give you an account of what happened to me, you must consult your GP with any deafness problem so you can get the appropriate medical help

Bernard Allen ● 3419d