Ear plumber?
May 10, 2010 10:06 AM Subscribe
Where in NYC can I get my ears suction-cleaned as in this [rather icky] Youtube video?
Icky ear-suction video is here.
I have often been told that I have bad hearing. I have a paranoia / suspicion that I have deeply-impacted earwax. Doctors told me as much when I was a teenager and I tried various remedies, like over-the-counter oils and hot water flushing, none of which seemed to work too well. Also tried ear candling, which I later learned was a hoax.
Flash forward to now, I do not have health insurance and do not want to pay to see a general physician. I would rather consult a specialist who does the very thing and get this done on myself if it can be shown to me that I do have major earwax clogging.
Who can I see in or near NYC about this, and what should I expect to pay for this procedure on both ears?
Posting anonymous because this is gross / somewhat embarrassing.
Icky ear-suction video is here.
I have often been told that I have bad hearing. I have a paranoia / suspicion that I have deeply-impacted earwax. Doctors told me as much when I was a teenager and I tried various remedies, like over-the-counter oils and hot water flushing, none of which seemed to work too well. Also tried ear candling, which I later learned was a hoax.
Flash forward to now, I do not have health insurance and do not want to pay to see a general physician. I would rather consult a specialist who does the very thing and get this done on myself if it can be shown to me that I do have major earwax clogging.
Who can I see in or near NYC about this, and what should I expect to pay for this procedure on both ears?
Posting anonymous because this is gross / somewhat embarrassing.
I have moderately aggressive earwax buildup. I have had in-office syringe and water-pik removal, and it is moderately uncomfortable, but not too bad, and my hearing definitely improved. These days, I use ear drops and a bulb syringe in my own home -- the kit costs probably under $20 (depending on where you live). I usually do a treatment in the evening for 2-3 days in a row maybe once every 6 months, and this seems to keep things under control. That's way cheaper than a doctor's office.
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2010
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:01 AM on May 10, 2010
On (not) previewing, I want to stress that the repeated treatments over a series of days seem to be the trick for me -- one session sometimes doesn't get much out at all, but after 2-3 days, I am confident that my ears are pretty clean. (Or maybe I am just fooling myself, my my ENT doctor seems to think I do OK).
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:17 AM on May 10, 2010
posted by GenjiandProust at 11:17 AM on May 10, 2010
For clarification purposes (since it may not be apparent to those of us w/out health insurance; took me a while to pull this one out of the ol' foggy brainhole),
ENT doctor = Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. They're specialists.
posted by carsonb at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2010
ENT doctor = Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor. They're specialists.
posted by carsonb at 11:21 AM on May 10, 2010
I had this done back at the NYU infirmary when I was still a student. I believe he used a syringe to get the wax out. The experience was funny, especially when both the doc and I gawped at the resulting bullet-sized earwax stoppers. I also felt like a million goddamn bucks afterwards.
Have you been feeling pressure inside your head? IANAD, but impacted earwax feels like someone sticking fingers deep in your ears. Back when I had a lot of it, I would feel a "pop" when I rode the subway underwater.
Either way, go to an urgent care center and take a number. This is pretty standard stuff.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:24 AM on May 10, 2010
Have you been feeling pressure inside your head? IANAD, but impacted earwax feels like someone sticking fingers deep in your ears. Back when I had a lot of it, I would feel a "pop" when I rode the subway underwater.
Either way, go to an urgent care center and take a number. This is pretty standard stuff.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:24 AM on May 10, 2010
Interesting. Now I'm wondering if this is my problem too.
Is there any potential downside to getting this procedure done? I was under the impression that ear wax serves as a sort of barrier against bacteria and viruses.
posted by meta_eli at 6:12 PM on May 10, 2010
Is there any potential downside to getting this procedure done? I was under the impression that ear wax serves as a sort of barrier against bacteria and viruses.
posted by meta_eli at 6:12 PM on May 10, 2010
Can't recommend any doctors in your area but I'd like to second Sticherbeast's comment. It's a pretty simple procedure. So any doctor can do this.
Coincidentally, I just had my right ear flushed with water at my friendly neighborhood internist this morning. Actually, it was the medical assistant who did it after the doctor saw the wax buildup was the reason for the slight hearing loss.
This is really not a big deal. Just don't forget to ask them to work on both ears though. I thought my problem was only in one ear. When my right ear cleared up, I realized that the left is pretty clogged up as well.
posted by onich at 12:10 AM on May 11, 2010
Coincidentally, I just had my right ear flushed with water at my friendly neighborhood internist this morning. Actually, it was the medical assistant who did it after the doctor saw the wax buildup was the reason for the slight hearing loss.
This is really not a big deal. Just don't forget to ask them to work on both ears though. I thought my problem was only in one ear. When my right ear cleared up, I realized that the left is pretty clogged up as well.
posted by onich at 12:10 AM on May 11, 2010
All I know is that the video you linked was fascinatingly horrible. I couldn't stop watching no matter how much I wanted.
posted by negative1 at 9:01 AM on May 11, 2010
posted by negative1 at 9:01 AM on May 11, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
You may be asked to get a consult with an audiologist before and maybe even after the procedure to measure any change in hearing capability because of the procedure.
Call around and see what the ENTs charge for cash patients for this type of appointment. That's the only way you will find out.
I have also had this procedure done the "old fashioned way" with a syringe (no needle), warm water and hydrogen peroxide at a GP and urgent care office. It took longer than the ENT vaccum procedure, and not everyone knows how to do it. It was slightly uncomfortable, moreso than the vaccum. You could also see if that is a service offered at the doc-in-a-box type places--it may cost less than an ENT visit.
This is a very common issue that lots of people have. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.
posted by FergieBelle at 10:33 AM on May 10, 2010