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Conditions

Earwax

Examination inside the ear

You might think that earwax is just useless icky stuff that you have to constantly remove from your ears. But it’s a natural secretion that actually performs a number of functions. Earwax cleans, lubricates, and protects the lining of your ear, by trapping dirt and repelling water. Without it, the skin inside your ear may become dry, cracked, infected, or waterlogged and sore. But this newfound respect for your earwax shouldn’t prevent you from conducting a little ear maintenance every now and then. The wax should naturally migrate towards the opening of the ear canal, so you shouldn’t have to go ramming a cotton bud deep inside (until you reach the brain). However, every year in the UK, an estimated 2.3 million people have problems with excessive earwax, which can sometimes cause the ear canal to become blocked, leading to pain, or temporary hearing loss. In these cases, the earwax will need to be removed by a GP or specialist.

What the Men in White Coats Say

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hi, i have a problm with ear wax, it leaks and smells from my left ear. what do i do about it, it doesnt hurt or anything just is embarrasing when people smell it. it has a horrible smell. can you help
thankyou

Hi, I recently went to Green Day concert. Don't get me wrong they were FANTASTIC, but very loud. I used ear plugs, sometimes taking them out, but am not sure if I used them correctly.

The concert was about 2 and a half hours long, and my dad says that I could not damage my ears in that space of time, and that it would have to continuous exposure.

However, I'm still worried. Wanted to ask your advice.

Hi i have had excess earwax for two years or more now. my ear on both side fill till they leak!! Have been to doctor and given loads of different Tablets and drops which seem to work for a bit then soon as i stop taking them it comes back.

Hi, I'm 23 and for some time now I have had an occassional ache in my left ear. When it happens it is very painful, causing me to wince and leaving me unable to turn my head, until it eventually fades away.

I have been to a doctors and walk in centre and both times I was told my ears were clear of wax, although given some drops to try. The drops didn't work and the pain persists.

I don't listen to music loudly, I have no hearing loss or trouble, just the occassional ache. Do you have any suggestions?

I have been deaf in one ear for months due to a build up of wax, I have tried cleaning them and my doctors have given me ear drops but the ear drops just hurt my ears. Sometimes my non-affected ear gets blocked up but goes away after a day or two. It's affecting my day-to-day life, I find it difficult to hear teachers in class or speak to my friends and class mates :( It doesn't just affect school, it affects me doing the thing I love most, Horse Riding, as I can't hear tests called out to me or my instructor properly.

heyy there, i'm nearly 16 years old and i seem to be suffering from hearing problems. I seem to be forever saying ai, pardon, what, sorry? and everyone moans about me not being able to hear them clearly. I have been to the doctors about it and he gave me a a spray that was pants and didn't do anything. Doc did also say that i could have my ears sirrigned? and i wasn't so keen on that…wat do you recommend? please help,
Thankyou x

I have had my ears syringed several times due to wax probles, but i have noticed for several months that i get this constant hissing in my right ear. I went back to see the GP he referred me to a Consultant i had a ear test done slight drop in the test of my hearing, so he is arranging an MRI scan to be done unsure why can you tell me please i am 56, dont smoke , drink- i go the gym 3times a week, i am worried about this scan now,

at night when its quiet i have ringing or a buffing in my ear i get worried in bed and can't sleep but in the morning i wakeup and it isnt there anymore until bedtime. i recently got an ipod i dont know if the volume is ruining my ears or is it something else it started since i got the ipod but now im not listening to it anymore as im worried about my ears. am i going to turn deaf? will it carry on or get better if i stop listening to the ipod? please help m very worried

Every few days I use them cotton stick things to clear the wax outta my ears. A lot of the time when people says things I sort of mis hear some words, and find my self saying, "What?", because I didnt hear them properly. Also sometimes I get an aching feeling inside my ears. Slight pain inside both ears.

Hi… i have always ahd problems with my ears since i was younger. i was having several operations to fit 'gromits'into my ears. Now i have a smelly discharge in both ears which leak smelly earwax about 3 times a day. i have been to my doctor 4 times to solve the problem but nothing works. can ou help me?




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