Waking up deaf in one ear

[Welly]

So the last few days I've been waking up a bit Mutt and Jeff in my right ear, if I close the left one I hear nothing, bit freaky.

Anyone got any advice? I wonder if it's ear wax, I'm not known for poking about in my ears with cotton buds I have to say.

[PeterN]

Salt water, a teaspoonful in half a cup of water, soak some up in a tissue and drip it into the affected ear several times a day. Hold you head on one side so that it goes into the ear then after a couple of minutes tip your head the other way so it runs out into a tissue. It may make it worse when you first do it but over a few days you should find your hearing coming back. That is if its wax of course but that is the most common cause. Worked a treat for me.

Peter

[steve_earwig]

It could be lots of things but I'd think it's one for your GP (if you don't die of old age before getting an appointment...)

[scotty73]

Or the cheaper option.


Make sure nobody is standing next to the opposite ear.

I'm pretty sure the solution the docs give is some kind of salt water give it a try while you wait for the Doctor.

[Doggy]

The definite cure is to get your ear 'syringed' at the doctors / local health centre. They will invariably insist you soften the wax first yourself using some form of ear drops, e.g. Otex.
You might as well give it a try for a day or two, then present yourself as an uncomplaining hero, who has tried for at least 10 days to resolve the problem at home, not wanting to waste their valuable time....

Worked brilliantly the couple of times I've had to go, (and I did manage to clear it once on my own).

[Welly]

Thank you all for the tips.

[Bailes1992]

Boots sell a syringe kit with a hydrogen chloride solution to put in your ear to soften the wax.

[Welly]

Boots sell a syringe kit with a hydrogen chloride solution to put in your ear to soften the wax.

I feel frightened.

[steve_earwig]

I think t'wife used to drip sulphuric acid into her ma's ear when she had these issues. Hold on a mo, hydrogen chloride? That's HCl, which becomes hydrochloric acid on contact with water.

[Welly]

I R SCARED.

Welly in ear falls off shocker.

[lozz]

I'd go see a doctor before using any off the shelf stuff in your ear.

Better to be safe than sorry.

[teamster1975]

I'm a bit late to this but I'll reply as I've suffered with this many times.
Olive oil ear drops work wonders; couple of drops and plug your ear with cotton wool.
For god's sake don't attack your ear with cotton buds, apart from pushing the gunk further in it inflames the ear canal which makes it weep and makes the problem worse!

[Uberderv]

+1 for Olive oil. Never actually used it personally but know people who swear by it.

[Welly]

I actually bought some medical Olive Oil drops from that Boots on Sat following an uncharacteristic outburst on Friday night when I went deafer than deaf in the right ear after washing my hair (sorry Mrs_Welly)

Not tried them yet waiting to enlist the help of aforementioned lady without the risk of having the pipette becoming part of my ear

[steve_earwig]

Medical olive oil? Olive oil + pipette = enormous profit for someone no doubt.

I think I'd be tempted to have a bash at diy (although I'm sure t'mrs would be willing to help out as she enjoys that sort of thing, especially if it's painful...), lie on your other side, introduce pipette to affected ear, squeeze, lay there for as long as possible.