View Full Version : Random doctor question
So as a civilian I've never had to go to the doctor before... I don't even have a doctor I've been to in this state. I do have insurance.
My problem is ear wax. Sounds benign enough, but I have noticeable hearing loss in one ear because of the wax. This is a problem I get every couple years. At MEPS I had terrible hearing scores until they looked into my ears, sent me to a doctor to have them cleaned out (which was painful and actually drew blood from somewhere in my ears), and then I passed MEPS. While I was active a few nurses took the better part of an hour using some water pick looking tools to clean out my ears.
I don't use q-tips in my ears and rarely if ever use ear buds for listening to music and always use over the ear hearing pro, never ear plugs.
I feel like I'm wearing foamies in my right ear but not my left and it's messing me up. I've tried over the counter debrox and it isn't helping, nor did it last time this happened.
So what do I do? Get a doctor? Do I have to get an ENT doc or is a general practitioner ok? I'm starting to get a headache from this hearing loss.
LowSpeed_HighDrag
03-03-15, 04:55
Not a doctor, and not answering your question, but I went to the doctor as a civilian for the first time today. 3 years since Ive been out. It was weird that they believed what my symptoms were and actually treated me lol.
Yes, go to the doctor, I have went through this a few times with irrogation treatment of using a syrenge flushing out the ear, and pick type tools to clean out excessive wax. Last time I had it done it was crazy how much of a difference it made in my hearing in my left ear. Everything seemed crazy loud (like the paper on the bench in the Dr office crinkling where I was sitting) And yes do NOT use q-tips my doctor described it as packing a black powder rifle you will make it worse. Also I was notified that some people just produce more ear wax and needs to be cleaned out this way more often than others. This has all been at the same family doctor I have seen for the last ten years. Never had any blood drawn from a procedure, the nurse performed the irrogation but the Doc used the tools. It sucks to have done but it has helped me in the past.
Gen Prac DR should be just fine for this. If excessive buildup of cerumen is a chronic issue for you, I'd do some research on how to take care of it at home. I've heard of people using the Water-pic flossers with hydrogen peroxide instead of water to irrigate their ears quite successfully. Of course that is something you would need to be careful with to avoid causing damage to your tympanic membrane.
I would say go to an ENT. Hopefully they may be able to actually come up with a treatment plan and /or cause that foes not require you to get your ears scraped every year.
I'd try an ENT or a specialist as well. I'm guessing if you went to a general doctor, they'd probably end up sending you to a specialist anyway...
http://www.thecenterforionicdetox.com/ear-candling.jpg
If you have a medical school near you see if they have a clinic. My wife and I started going to one and its awesome. Sometimes our normal family doctor seemed as if their mind was already made up about treatment and what was wrong before the exam even started. At the school clinic they have a doctor and a student or two in the room. They always do a very thorough exam and double check their findings to make sure.
I have a long history of ear problems mostly stemming from losing 90+ percent of my right eardrum during breaching training. I ended up having a new tympanic membrane grafted in my ear. It works well enough but I have had problems off and on with ruptures and infections ever since. A good ENT doctor is nice but for most of it the doctors at the school clinic have been awesome and have helped greatly.
You definitely want to see an ENT. Don't waste your time going to the GP first. (Med student here...)
Yes, go to the doctor, I have went through this a few times with irrogation treatment of using a syrenge flushing out the ear, and pick type tools to clean out excessive wax. Last time I had it done it was crazy how much of a difference it made in my hearing in my left ear. Everything seemed crazy loud (like the paper on the bench in the Dr office crinkling where I was sitting)
I know what you mean! A couple years ago, after the nurses flushed out my ears, on the drive home I would have sworn my car doors weren't closed or the windows were open, it was so loud in the car. Turns out that's how it normally sounds, lol.
Also, seems like the medical professionals here say go to an ENT. Is there a good way to find one?
I am not a doctor, but I have worked in the medical field for a number of years. I can tell you that this is a very common problem. You need to have your ears flushed, and probably more regularly than most. Years ago my wife would regularly flush ears as a medical assistant and it was common for people to need them flushed every year or two. A good friend has the same problem and needs them flushed regularly.
I know what you mean! A couple years ago, after the nurses flushed out my ears, on the drive home I would have sworn my car doors weren't closed or the windows were open, it was so loud in the car. Turns out that's how it normally sounds, lol.
Also, seems like the medical professionals here say go to an ENT. Is there a good way to find one?
I have not went specifically to an ENT, I just have always went to my family doctor and have been taken care of there. Is a great guy and has been in practice a long time so I have grown trust him over the years for most issues I have. I personally would try and get opinions from people locally that have seen an ENT. Or maybe contact local doctors to see who they might recommend.
ETA: I had to have back surgery 10years ago, it does suck to try and trust someone with your health
According to the Mrs (Family practice MD) most of the ENTs in this area require a referral from a GP/FP. May not be the same where you are but food for thought...
One advantage of finding a GOOD GP/FP and getting a referral, especially if you're new to an area, is that they know which specialists are worth a flying damn...
I'd try an ENT or a specialist as well. I'm guessing if you went to a general doctor, they'd probably end up sending you to a specialist anyway...
You definitely want to see an ENT. Don't waste your time going to the GP first. (Med student here...)
LOL. For ear wax?
I wear hearing aides, my hearing aid vendor who has all these high speed bango hearing certs does it for me - also had it done at the ENT a couple times, once by the doc and once by the audiologist.
Wax buildup is a recurring issue.
I actually am a doctor AND I have the same problem. Before using some of your valuable time and money to see a doctor in his/her office, go to Walgreens and get an ear flushing kit with carbamide peroxide (Murine makes a good one). This is the same solution that most physicians will use to loosen and dissolve the ear wax. You putseveral drops in the ear and let it stay there for about ten minutes. Then you use the included bulb syringe to gently irrigate the ear canal with warm (not hot) water. This flushes the dislodged wax from the canal. If you have very stubborn wax it might take two or three times per ear. The other thing is to be careful because irrigating with warm water can cause vertigo (I can go into the anatomy and physiology of this if you'd like).
If after all this you still are having problems, THEN go see a GP.
I actually am a doctor AND I have the same problem. Before using some of your valuable time and money to see a doctor in his/her office, go to Walgreens and get an ear flushing kit with carbamide peroxide (Murine makes a good one). This is the same solution that most physicians will use to loosen and dissolve the ear wax. You putseveral drops in the ear and let it stay there for about ten minutes. Then you use the included bulb syringe to gently irrigate the ear canal with warm (not hot) water. This flushes the dislodged wax from the canal. If you have very stubborn wax it might take two or three times per ear. The other thing is to be careful because irrigating with warm water can cause vertigo (I can go into the anatomy and physiology of this if you'd like).
If after all this you still are having problems, THEN go see a GP.
I've been using debrox for a couple days (carbamide peroxide), doesn't seem to help. The bottle is a couple months old though, I'll go get a new one and try Murine.
LOL. For ear wax?
For noticeable hearing loss secondary to recurring ear wax buildup that is refractory to OTC treatment.
I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that the OP go to a doctor at this point.
However, maybe he should try the treatment a few times as suggested by jaydoc before throwing in the towel.
I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that the OP go to a doctor at this point.
No, I dont think seeing a doctor over ear wax is unreasonable either. But that's not what you pronounced.
I'm trying to think if I know any ENT doctors that would ever clean a patient's ears.
As a GP.... Something easily handled in a doctor office. Sometimes though you get real wet wax, for too far back to easily reach. In that case, try ENT, as they have a small suction device that works well.
Try debrox for maintanence once cleaned out.
ETA: On a computer now, so longer response.
The advice above is good about 'do it yourself.' Just be aware that you can be too aggressive with cleaning, abrade the ear canal, perforate the ear drum, etc. I'd really suggest you have someone do it for you, and not put anything in your ear that they can't see the tip still. once it's clean, it's easier to keep it that way.
OK, professional hat off, personal hat on. I've had 5 ear surgeries and 100+ ear infections growing up. Been cleaned out A LOT. I never personally liked debrox; I find it does great liquifying wax, which then pools back by the ear drum instead of coming out. I actually have a few of the little ear curettes from work and just occasionally take it out myself. If I'm real congested, my wife will do it (she's a pediatrician). Probably not an option for you. Anyway, there's a dozen different home remedies out there to look up, some actually do OK. Otherwise, just go to your regular doc (if you have one) a few times a year. It's not that big a deal, and usually a med. assistant will do it.
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