We have made the decision to stop providing an ear syringing service at the practice.
We are faced with a huge increase in the demand for clinical time and medical services in other areas, and so we no longer have the capacity to be able to offer this service in the practice.
Ear syringing has been withdrawn by most other GP practices in Highland for some time for the same reasons.
What we can do is encourage self-care for patients; there is evidence that oiling, and also self-irrigation, can work well for a significant number of patients. We have provided the following information to encourage self-care, before accessing ear syringing.
Please note – We will never refuse appointments for those who have ear pain
Please do not attempt to self – treat if any of the following apply to you:
- Pain in the ear
- A history of ear drum perforation in the affected ear
- A recent history of an ear infection in the affected ear
- Symptoms of infection in the ear – usually pain or a smelly discharge
- If you have an offensive discharge or bleeding from the ear (this may mean you have an ear infection)
- If you only have one hearing ear which is the affected ear
Previous ear surgery on the affected ear
- Sudden deafness or buzzing
- Foreign bodies in the ear
- Dizziness
If you experience any of the above, you should seek advice from your GP or Nurse.
For more information please see our self care leaflet:
CULLODEN MEDICAL PRACTICE
BLOCKED EARS (WAX) – SELF-CARE GUIDELINES FOR PATIENTS
Earwax is a normal build-up of dead cells, hair, foreign material such as dust and natural wax
which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The quantity of earwax
produced varies greatly from person to person.
A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax has formed. A
plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need to remove earwax
if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing or when fitting a hearing aid.
HOW TO REMOVE EAR WAX:
Note: If you think you have earwax, do not try to clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds.
This can make things worse, as you will push some earwax deeper inside. It may also cause
an ear infection.
Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of ordinary olive
oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2 to 3 weeks. This softens the wax so that it then runs
out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue for any length of time, but
3 weeks is usually enough. Surprisingly, you will not necessarily see wax come out. It often
seems to come out unnoticed.
If you are prone to repeated wax build up you can continue to use olive oil drops twice a
week to prevent recurrence. If olive oil does not work you can buy sodium bicarbonate
drops from a pharmacy.
How to use ear drops:
1. Warm the drops to room temperature before using them.
2. Pour a few drops into the affected ear.
3. Lie with the affected ear upper most when putting in drops.
4. Stay like this for 10 minutes to allow the drops to soak into the earwax.
Bulb syringing is a safe, alternative way to remove earwax. Bulb syringes can be purchased
from a pharmacy and allow you to clear your ears of wax in your own home. If your ears are
painful or have fluid coming out of them, or if you have a hole in your eardrum (perforation)
or have recently had surgery on your ear you should see a doctor or nurse and not use this
method.
Instructions for Bulb Syringing:
Use olive oil drops twice a day for at least 14 days prior to bulb syringing. Alternatively, use
sodium bicarbonate ear drops purchased from your pharmacy (please read the
manufacturer’s leaflet).
1. Wash your hands.
2. Use a bowl of cooled, boiled water that is warm to the touch – not too hot or too cold.
3. Prepare the syringe by squirting water in and out of it a few times.
4. Gently pull your outer ear up and out to help straighten the canal, which will allow better
access for the water.
5. Tilt your head so that the ear to be treated is upmost.
6. Place the tip of the syringe into the opening of the ear – DO NOT push the syringe further
into the ear – and gently squirt one or more bulb syringes of water into your ear. (This might
be best done in the shower so that the excess water will run into the bathtub and not on to
your floor).
7. Allow the water to remain in your ear for at least 60 seconds. Gently tilt your head in the
opposite direction and wiggle your outer ear.
If, after 3 weeks or more, you are still deaf from wax, you will need to make an appointment
with a doctor to decide what should be done.
Ear irrigation (ear syringing):
Ear irrigation is only recommended on the rare occasion where ear drops and bulb syringing
have failed to work. Ear syringing can lead to ear infection, perforated eardrum and tinnitus
(persistent noise) and therefore is only carried out in exceptional circumstances. If you think
you have persistent wax, despite taking the above measures, please make an appointment
with your doctor or nurse to discuss.
