Is it a good idea to have you ears syringed?

Question

my mate says wax protects your ears, so dont get them syringed

Answer 1

If you do go to have them syringed, consult your doctor first. I had mine done by a male nurse at our practice and he perforated my eardrum.
I went to the ent dept at our local hospital, and they recommend it is done by there trained nurses.

Answer 2

I've had mine syringed, each time because there was so much wax in my ears I couldn't hear- that was a bit too much protection for me ;) I can't see why you'd want it done unless there was a problem like that though...

You can clean your ears out with cerumol as well, I've used it on the nurse's advice after syringing... you just pour it in your ear, and leave it in for a few minutes, then let it out onto a tissue... I mean, I've heard different people have different kinds of wax, but I'm fairly sure it's all wastage... still, no wax at all could be a bad thing as well, who can say?

Answer 3

Don't get them syringed if you don't have to.

Doctors are pretty thick sometimes- one tells you don't do it its bad for you because you can damage yourr ear drum, it can cause excess wax so you have to have it done more regularly and that some wax is needed to protect your ears from bacteria and infection

Then you get other idiots telling you that there is nothing wrong with it. Maybe only my doctors are thick but I ask them is there any other way but they only tell me that is bad but don't give me any solution.

I spoke to a nurse on the internet and she said to go to the local A and E department and ask them to permanently get rid of the wax so you don't have to keep syringing your ear. There are other ways but it costs them so they don't tell you about it. Speak to your doctor about all the possible solutions before syringing.

Answer 4

I've had mine syringed twice. It's true, you do need wax to protect your ears but sometimes you have a great deal of build up. Before going down that road, try soaking a cotton wool ball in warmed (not too hot) olive oil and with your head to one side, dripping the oil into your ear. Keep your head to the side. Place a new piece of cotton wool into the ear and pop it upright. Do this twice a day in each affected ear and it will soften the wax. After a few days, you may be able to clear it yourself without syringing.

Answer 5

Wax does protect the ear,but sometimes when you get a virus,and you need anti-biotics,the ear is the first place that usually gets gunged up.Normally you would have a course of drops,to soften any wax in the ear,and to see if it removes itself.
Or if you've got a foreign object in your ear,like a cotton bud tip,or something along those lines,they would be done pretty much straight away.
But having your ears syringed for the sake of it,no i wouldn't do it.

Answer 6

My GP said that mine would need syringed, but would not carry out the procedure until I'd tried ear drops first. I used the drops for four days. They made my ears smell absoloutely disgusting and feel itchy and gooey; I had to wear tissue in my ears for bed to stop it running all over my pillow... eugh! However, this alone did the trick as one day the sticky ooze parted and I could hear again! This takes much longer but eardrops do work and they don't risk you having a perforated ear drum like to poor guy who replied before me.
My brother has horrendous problems with his ears (two perforated eardrums as well as genetic deafness) and therefore cannot get his ears syringed for fear of further damange. He has to use this method.

Answer 7

Try ear candles instead. Available from Chinese Herbalists and other alternative therapy shops.

They are non-invasive (so avoid many of the risks of syringing).

You light one end of the hollow candle tube and place the other end into your ear. The heat at the top of the tube draws wax out of your ears naturally and deposits it in the end of the candle.

They really work! There's no mess, no pain or discomfort of any kind and you'll be amazed how much comes out!

Good luck : )

Answer 8

Your friend is right - wax does protect your ears BUT sometimes you do get a build up - like I have a few times - and it is necessary to have then syringed. It is such a nice feeling ...

Answer 9

you can have it done, it is perfectly safe. only if you have a problem with ears processing too much wax and the build up causes hearing loss. the body is very good and it will replace the wax again. your friend is right that the wax do protect your ears, but some people do have too much and may cause them great discompfort.
this should be a very safe procedure but feels very uncompfortable at first. the results are with it.
take care

Answer 10

Sometimes it is needed...I used to end up in agony after flying. Pain and blocked ears....I went to the practise nurse...she said one ear needed done. It was bad due to an ear infection which I got 4 years previously when I was in hospital having my son. Yes...a certain amount of wax does stop dirt getting into the ear...but the nurse/doctor will only recommend it if needed. It's painless and the relief was incredible!!!

Answer 11

It is a bad idea because if the wax is removed micro-organisms will rush in and damage the ear.