Ears

[hiacedrifter]

Ok hive mind, what's the best way to get your ears cleaned? Drops? GP? Go private?

And what about hearing tests? I did listen to a test tone on you tube, but of course that relies on my cheap headphones being able to play the whole frequency range.

 

[HollyJohnsen]

I am very relaxed about the whole thing. It's about following melodies and letting ourselves be touched by the music. This is also possible if we can hear a few Hz less. The ear canals should be able to clean themselves under normal circumstances.

 

[Klassik]

Ok hive mind, what's the best way to get your ears cleaned? Drops? GP? Go private?

Klassik uses carbamide (urea) peroxide ear drops, such as the Debrox product here in the US, when Klassik feels the need to clean the ears. That need does not come around very often, but it does seem to clear at least minor wax buildup. Of course, urea is a major component in urine, but maybe it's best not to have that on the mind as one squeezes drops into the ear.

And what about hearing tests? I did listen to a test tone on you tube, but of course that relies on my cheap headphones being able to play the whole frequency range.

Due to the lossy compression that YouTube uses, Klassik does wonder if YouTube is capable of producing audio with a flat frequency response throughout the audible range. The Opus audio codec which YouTube uses these days is probably much higher quality than old codecs YouTube used to use, but it might be more reliable to use a frequency sweep from a website which does not use a lossy form of compression. There are several websites out there for this and also free software such as Audacity can generate test tones.

 

[tuga]

You could try these online tests:

https://www.audiocheck.net/testtones_hearingtestaudiogram.php
https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencycheckhigh.php
https://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_index.php

 

[hiesteem]

I use Mack's Wax Away. No need to go to GP. I am not keen on listening to music through ear buds ,as it seems to create a build up of wax in the ear.

 

[hificricketboy]

I use Audiclean which is a saline solution followed by ear buds. Seems to have kept my lug holes clean for quite a few years.

 

[toprepairman]

Olive oil as recommended by my GP.
Doesn't fix the tinnitus which is a rather worse problem.

 

[Sotosound]

In terms of DIY, I've found that wax softeners simply help the wax to settle better on the eardrum and make me totally deaf in the offending ear.

I've also found that washing one's ears prevents them from cleaning themselves and hastens blockages. Therefore, I don't wash them anymore.

These days, I go private and have my ears cleaned by a specialist every couple of years. It's not cheap, but it is safe.

They use suction wherever possible, and an ear wash where suction isn't going to work.

(I used to use the NHS, but that ship sailed many years ago once the appointment lead time changed from a week or two to a month or three.)

 

[simon g]

Have this done by a professional, without question.

It's more or less unavailable from the NHS these days. Private practices are available (Boots, et al), usually under £100. They also often use a small video camera first to see exactly what's going on, as it were.

 

[Bazzer]

ear buds.

If you must use them don't go deep outer shelves only .

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

and there was me thinking this thread was about a well-known member of this parish, whose jokes are loved by all (well, most, maybe)

 

[hiacedrifter]

Does anyone use karcher pressure washer and/or dyson vacuums? Asking for a deaf friend

 

[MVJ]

If you must use them don't go deep outer shelves only .

Good advice there Barry

 

[uzzy]

https://www.bootshearingcare.com/hearing-health/tips-for-ear-cleaning/

 

[hifinutt]

Ears are very precious . best left well alone if you can . The most cases for litigation in practice nursing used to be ear syringing . takes a lot amount of training and competancy to do it well . If you have ever had perforated ears leave well alone

And yes Olive oil is safe and effective if you have block up ears and as simon says always use a professional to clean them

 

[Sotosound]

Have this done by a professional, without question.

They also often use a small video camera first to see exactly what's going on, as it were.

This gives you the chance to be a star in your very own private TV show.

 

[lazycat]

Ear syringing was a favourite pastime when I was nursing in the community.

The Damascene conversion from deaf to not deaf was amazing. I did other Christ-like stuff as well on occasion.

Someone even delivered a bottle of whisky to the surgery once, such was his happiness. It wasn't declared.

 

[garn63]

Wood glue (if you are patient) works a treat. Leaving a trail outside of the ear canal is crucial for removal purposes.

 

[michaelgb]

Micro-suction done by a professional is the way to go

 

[Minicoupeman]

Think I might have posted this before but….My hearing fine. Small f. I don’t need hearing aids but I found that a track I know well - Beatles’A Day In The Life’ had an alarm clock that I could no longer hear. Short story. Got ears tested first via Apple App and. Sony closed back earphones then at a professional . Both results identical. Drop of at 3 to 4 k. Result. I use hearing aids to listen to music, and only to listen to music but…..I wouldn’t be without them. One of the best upgrades I have made.