Muffled Hearing After Microsuction

Hello, I'm new here, I found Tinnitus Talk after googling about problems after having microsuction. So, two weeks ago I paid £80 to have microsuction on my left ear, I knew it had some earwax in and wanted it cleared before I went on holiday. I've had my ears syringed lots of times in the past with no problems at all but tried the microsuction as I'd read GPs no longer do syringing.

While the procedure was taking place I noticed my ear blocked up, I told the person doing it but she carried on. She got a couple of pieces of earwax out and showed me the inside of the ear using a camera, it was all clear, however it now felt blocked.

I went to my GP surgery two days later, the nurse checked the ear and said it was clear and no infection, however my hearing is still muffled, and this was my good ear!

I'm thinking about going to the GP and asking to see a specialist as it shouldn't be like this.

Has anyone else had this where your hearing has become muffled after having microsuction?

I didn't go on the holiday in the end as felt I couldn't handle a 7 1/2 hour car journey feeling half deaf and disorientated.

 

Hi NightOwl,

Did you apply eardrops/olive oil 3x a day to each ear for 10 days before having the microsuction? If you didn't, this could have something to do with your muffled hearing. The ear is a delicate organ and what you describe I think you need to be seen quickly. If I were you, I would go to Accident and Emergency at your local hospital and explain your symptoms. I know you might have to wait a while but I wouldn't wait for letter to be referred to ENT.

Michael

 

You should call an Otologist, tell them you had an acoustic trauma two weeks ago and need to be seen immediately for muffled hearing that you think may be sudden hearing loss.

They will give you an audiogram. If the audiogram reveals any hearing loss, discuss with them about intratympanic steroids. They will probably want to do oral steroids, but intratympanic is much more concentrated to the ear. Two weeks is pretty far out, but still has a chance of subsiding if you act now.

 

Thanks for the replies, I waited two weeks as I'd read that's how long it could take for ears to settle after microsuction. I was told to put drops/spray in one day before I had the procedure which I did. I'm going to try and get a GP appointment tomorrow and if it's a long wait, I will ask about going private.

 

Going private for tinnitus and other Ear, Nose and Throat related problems in the UK is not a good idea. You will get the best help and long term aftercare for tinnitus and treatment for Ear, Nose and Throat under the NHS. This is the reason I advised you to go to Accident & Emergency, if your muffled hearing is causing you concern which it obviously is.

Going private might help if it's a quick fix. However, the ear is a delicate organ and this might not be the case in your situation. Therefore, going private could become very expensive and when you have no more money to give, you will be advised to go to the NHS. I have seen this happen with people that have contacted me in the UK, with tinnitus and other ear related problems. They think going private will resolve everything quickly, with ear associated problems but it often doesn't.

Eardrops/olive oil should be put into the ear 3x a day for 10 days before having microsuction, ear irrigation or manual removal of earwax using a curette, to thoroughly soften the wax. Failure to do this can result in problems for some people. It can make pre-existing tinnitus worse or cause tinnitus to develop in a person that previously didn't have it, or cause other related ear problems.

If the muffled hearing continues, go to A & E if your GP is unable to get you seen at ENT quickly.

Michael

 

Thank you for your reply. I saw a GP yesterday who reckoned I had an infection and prescribed an ear spray called Otomize, don't know if you're familiar with it? I'm using it now and hope it does the job.

 

You are welcome.

Three months ago my GP prescribed Otomize because I had an ear infection with muffled hearing. It cleared up the infection and my hearing returned to normal within a week.

Keep away from private ENT doctors in the UK, as you will get the best help for tinnitus under the NHS.

If you ever need earwax removed in the future, remember to apply eardrops 3x a day to each ear for 10 days before having the wax removed.

Michael

 

What does applying ear drops do for manual ear wax removal that isn't near the ear drum? Why is there a risk? With this logic people with tinnitus shouldn't use Q-tips as well, but we all know everyone does without any issue to tinnitus.

My ENTs have specifically told me not to use ear drops before removals because it makes the wax sticky and wet, which can make it harder to remove.

I am not trying to argumentative, I am trying to learn if I am ignorant about something.

 

I'll just add that this is entirely correct. When done manually using a curette, they need to get a good grip of the wax in its entirety, which fails if its too soft. I've had wax removed by currete numerous times now by a very experienced ENT, and it has never been an issue, despite being impacted, even against the ear drum.

 

I know you are not trying to be argumentative and that is the reason I am replying to your question.

I have never had earwax removed manually by curette, so your ENT doctor is probably right, applying eardrops/olive oil 3x a day for 10 days could make the wax too sticky and wet. However, this is not the case when microsuction or ear irrigation are used.

Unless the wax is completely softened, removal by microscution is more difficult and puts a person at risk of developing problems mentioned in my previous post. The same applies with ear irrigation. A stream of water is directed into the ear, enabling the wax to be flushed out of the ear canal.

I have had microsuction three times and ear-irrigation the same. Each time I have applied eardrops 3x a day to each ear for 10 days, before having the wax removed and haven't had any problems.

Michael

 

That's good to hear Michael. Can I ask what caused your muffled hearing?

 

Ear infection caused my muffled hearing.

 

Just an update, I've been using Otomize for seven days now and no noticeable improvement, so thinking of going private as I need to be seen quick!

 

I saw an ENT last week and mentioned acoustic trauma but he didn't seem interested, just gave me a hearing test and mentioned something about another hearing test at a different location and possibly an MRI scan. I'm still none the wiser about why my ear feels blocked and my hearing is still muffled.