Astonishing free SQ upgrade.

I've never asked for my ears to be syringed and no practise nurse/doc' has ever warned/explained that to do so could damage my eardrum. (I worked that out for myself, though. I was terrified at the prospect.) I've always been treated the same across 3 different surgeries - pitch-up with earache or tinnitus; diagnosed with wax blockages; told to use olive oil drops for a week and come back for syringing. My experience has been that syringing is treated as standard practise. But, the nurse at my new surgery did say that using drops for another week or two should shift the residual she couldn't budge in one ear. Previously I'd been told that once I'd had to have ears syringed, I'd probably have to have it repeated thereafter. But this nurse recommended that a few olive oil drops once a week could keep my ears clear. I shall be religiously sticking to this, in hope.

It would be fascinating to know how many of us are listening to our systems not realising (because it's entirely possible to have no inkling) that we're missing 20% of the detail owing to wax build-up. Further, that buying/selling/twiddling decisions are being made in that condition. As a pro photographer, I have to optimise my vision. As passionate hifi enthusiasts, it really might be worth getting ones ears checked the next time one is in the surgery, just in case improvements to ones own auditory capabilities can be made?

It could be worth asking what was in the syringe.   Might be an opportunity to upgrade to the expensive audiophile ear liquids with ionised nano particles.

TOBYJUG posted:

It could be worth asking what was in the syringe.   Might be an opportunity to upgrade to the expensive audiophile ear liquids with ionised nano particles.

I hear (sorry) the latest audiophile ear liquid has DR enhancement technology, that is Deafness Reduction. A great improvement on the standard stuff I believe. The alternative is to put warm Snake Oil in your ears once a week, but that so yesterday.

We jest, but could there be something in this?

PS - Still amazed this thread is still on Hi-Fi Corner, thought it would be shunted to the Padded Cell ages ago!

eagle3333 posted:

Yeeeesh I can feel that! Thats what I had years ago first time round. Doctor's name was something like Mengele and he had a funny accent.

Me too. It sounded and felt like the entire Zambezi was being flushed through yer lugs! The doc who attended to my ears that day was very old and seemed to delight in the opportunity to whip out his gigantic syringe (if you will pardon the expression). Things are far more safe and sophisticated these days but possibly less effective! At least today you leave the surgery with your ear drums in one piece.

A serious note to wrap this one up for anyone following. My nurse was clearly ex-SS. She blasted my poor lugs for longer than anyone in the past and it was not pleasant. She actually tried to physically wipe the grimace off my face whilst continuing to hose, saying 'don't do that, it shouldn't hurt'.. I thought I'd got away with it, but the day after posting here I developed terrible tinnitus. I thought it was the end of one of my greatest passion because I couldn't listen to any music without it getting worse, dreadful earache etc.. After several doc visits I saw an ENT consultant surgeon last week. He tested my hearing and has classified me related to bats. I have better hearing than most 20 yr olds, apparently. The tinnitus has improved a little. He said my ears have been traumatised but he feels they will return to their normal state eventually. But that it may take several months. 

He told me no more syringing for me but that they will, if and when necessary, use suction to pull out the wax - after liberal use of olive oil etc..

So, as some here did warn, don't go into ear syringing lightly; only as a last resort. The nurse shouldn't keep the jet going for more than a few seconds at a time. If it hurts tell her to stop; I didn't want to appear a wuss. But I'd rather be a wuss than suffer 24/7 high pitch needles in ears and head and constant headaches. And ask about suction - not all offer it but, for me, it's worth going private if necessary. 

Blimey, I hope I warned sufficiently about the dangers of ear syringing and I hope your inner ears recover soon Eagle. Thank goodness your hearing does not seem to be permanently damaged in any way.

Sounds like the nurse that did your ears needs some (re)training.

My understanding is that regular use of olive oil or the commercial ear treatments should obviate the need for syringing for most. And hopefully it goes without saying always consult your doctor if you have concerns about wax build up.

Thanks Nigel. It's been a pretty terrifying 6 weeks. Yes, retraining must be in order and I shall write such to the surgery. Fingers well and truly crossed that normality does return before too long. Meantime, I'll be using a couple of drops once a week as recommended by the ENT man.