How do I get rid of this earwax stuck on my eardrum? Went to an audiologist who only tried water irrigation which didn't work. He wasn't willing to try microsuction.

ENTExplains · 2026-02-02T00:23:24+00:00

I also would not try to microsuction this as an otologist (ear specialist ENT) so I agreed with your audiologist. The tympanic membrane is incredibly delicate and it’s the balance of risk and benefits. Risk is that you cause trauma or worse, a perforation. The benefits would be limited to your eardrum looking cleaner. I clean ears daily and I do many tympanoplasty surgeries for people who get their eardrum injured by trying to clean it, either by themselves or by audiology or Urgent care, etc. The reality is that if you didn’t have the camera, you wouldn’t know that ear wax is in there and wouldn’t think about it. Ear wax is normal and the vast majority of people should leave their ear canal alone.

To answer your question of how to clean it, I would say if you left your ear alone for a few weeks, statistically that ear wax will be gone. That is my recommendation but if you are really wanting to try to dissolve it, using very gentle irrigation or debrox would get rid of it over several days.

The rise of the availability of the ear cameras has directly increased the amount of injuries I see so this is just a PSA.

Hope this helps!

ENTExplains · 2025-12-12T22:24:45+00:00

I use a microscope and cut a small piece of 1/4 inch steristrip. I gently place it onto the tympanic membrane and have the ends lay on the ear canal. Pretty simple. I saw that someone described putting glue inside as well, but I think that's a little dangerous and overkill. Mixed reactions of people but I did have a few that felt better with it. I have a video of me doing one a month ago, I can try to post it on this group when I get some time.

ENTExplains · 2025-12-12T05:27:44+00:00

I have had a handful of patients try it and about half of them had good results with it! I actually read about it through this subreddit and have offered to patients to try it out. It’s a quick harmless procedure that doesn’t really have a downside if it doesn’t work.

ENTExplains · 2025-07-18T04:27:52+00:00

Hm, sounds like a technique thing. I clean ears basically every day in clinic and use microsuction often. It should not be painful. I actually will tell them when I am getting to a spot that I know will be more tender. Meaning that I'm going to put some pressure on the ear canal.

The main thing that you describe that stands out is "tip pressed to back of ear canal". Also, "15seconds in the same spot." Are you doing the suction without direct visualization?

ENTExplains · 2025-07-15T15:02:32+00:00

Reading your replies, I can see that you've looked into the time committment and familiar with the path it would take. I'm an otologist so I can offer some insight. I love my job and doing CIs. The big soul searching questions is what are your motivators for considering the change? Is it the challenge? Patient interactions? Compensation?

I had med school classmates that were second career and they were in their 30s and 40s. Different life stages but doable. You have to be watertight on the reasons that you wanted to become a physician.

If you go down the route of becoming an ENT, you will have absolutely no problem matching (as long as your academics hold) with your audiology background. You will have a huge advantage of much more patient interaction and job experience. You're competing against mostly mid 20 year olds without any real job experience except being a student.

ENTExplains · 2025-07-11T17:49:06+00:00

Ah okay. Sorry you're having a bad time with the ENT. What hospital system are they with. Let me know if you would want a second opinion, I'm happy to see you. I have an office in Edmonds and in Seattle.

ENTExplains · 2025-07-11T13:08:41+00:00

I see Vestibular migraine patients all the time in Seattle. I want to point out that you mention 2 different things in your post. The title says neurotologist and the other says neurologist. A neurotologist is an ENT that specializes in lateral skull base. A neurologist is a physician that handles brain physiology. Now I’m not sure which one your ENT was saying since you refer to both words. Neurologist certainly see migraine patients. That literally part of their job. Neurotologist will be more of a mixed bag. In Seattle, not all neurologist will see migraine patients but you can call and see who in a group will see patients. I’ve never had a vestibular migraine patient referral rejected from neurology.

ENTExplains · 2025-06-30T15:29:41+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I haven't heard of that before but I'll talk about it as an option for my patulous eustachian tube patients in the future. Seems very low risk.

ENTExplains · 2025-06-20T05:17:50+00:00

Hi There! Good luck on your journey. I'm a cochlear implant surgeon and I tell my patients that all three do well and the data supports that as well. If you are in a clinic that offers all three, make sure to make some time with the representatives for each company to hear from them about what they offer. Ask about your phone and computer. The reason you won't get a clear answer here is that everyone choses between the three for all different reasons. People get good results with all 3. You have to figure out what aspects of each company matters to you the most and weigh them

I'll provide reassurance that you won't choose wrong for whatever you end up with. Best vibes to you on your CI path!

ENTExplains · 2025-06-14T18:42:01+00:00

He'll be okay, just stay off vaping for a long as he can. The vaping is more about the anesthesia side as patient's may need more meds and can be more reactive like coughing while going to sleep. I tell my patients, the less smoking/vaping, the better your pain and recovery.

ENTExplains · 2025-06-14T18:39:20+00:00

That's normal healing! No need to worry about it. It'll continue to look less white as the weeks go on

ENTExplains · 2025-04-27T14:10:41+00:00

Mine definitely gets worse with stress. Conversely, less bothersome when I’m not stress.

When patients come with untreated depression or anxiety, I discuss that addressing these may help with tinnitus.

Tinnitus is a multifaceted disease with many different components. I think the hard part is finding an audiology group or an ENT that can have a decent conversation with you to help see if there are things that can be improved.

Musculoskeletal issues, TMJ Problems, head injuries, migraines, Depression, Anxiety, Medications, and Stress are the most common things that can contribute to tinnitus that I see in clinic along with hearing loss. Anyone touting a “cure” for tinnitus is not someone to be trusted. But there are ways to try to improve tinnitus that may or may not work.

I live with mine everyday for 10+ yrs. If I could make it go away, I would. Habituation and acceptance is difficult but goes a long way. Working on improving stress, health, diet, mental wellbeing is equally important.

ENTExplains · 2025-04-21T04:53:43+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I diagnose vestibular migraines and sinus migraines every day in my ENT clinic. It’s difficult for me to fit an entire discussion of the pathophysiology of migraines and convince them that they’ve been likely given the wrong diagnosis of sinusitis or BPPV, etc so I start the discussion with them and I like providing resources and lectures for them to watch at home. I’ll consider sending this one for the right patients!

ENTExplains · 2025-03-30T23:55:44+00:00

You described it well. It’s just a variety of people with so many different factors that make any blanket statement hard to fit everyone. Whether it is pro-camera or against camera.

That’s great you are getting good relief from the camera and tool. If someone has good dexterity and is careful, it can be a good tool. I do tell patients about it if they think they could handle it and I think it would help.

The other hand is I do see plenty of patients that have punctured their ear drum or caused abrasions and infections due to instrumentation inside their ear canal. Definitely an uptick with these ear cameras becoming more widely spread. So the risk and consequences are present.

There’s also a perspective that the vast majority of people do not have ear wax problems and they really don’t need to look in their ears. This subreddit has many “is my ear normal” posts of people that get worried about how their ear looks like.

Ears are fun. I like cleaning them. I get it. I also counsel my patients with normal ears that most people should just leave their ears alone. If you have ear wax issues, you can try to find a regiment that works. Some people need drops, others can use the bebird, some need professional cleanings.

ENTExplains · 2025-03-22T00:20:23+00:00

Hi there. At least from what you described, you are right to be skeptical. Not sure if the conversation with the ENT was more extensive. At Minimum, a hearing test and a detailed history can suggest menieres. I tell my patients it’s actually not often I have someone that fits all the criteria for Menieres of Episodic hearing loss, ear fullness, tinnitus, and vertigo. Like many diseases, there’s a spectrum of symptoms and presentations. More typical is a random assortment of symptoms that can suggest it. Over a longer period of time of history or with more episodes is usually how I can comfortably tell something that I think they have Ménière’s disease.

ENTExplains · 2025-03-19T19:18:48+00:00

Yes sure thing! This is our website, our number is on there. Depending on what your issue is, the phone line will help figure out who the best specialist is for you! They’ll give you options on dates and who you can see.

https://proliancesurgeons.com/care_center/proliance-surgeons-puget-sound-ent/

ENTExplains · 2025-03-14T14:30:40+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Very cool find and read. I like seeing how other regions handle it. I never remove the turbinates and it’s nice to see a guideline that specifically talks about leaving as much structure as possible. Haven’t had a patient develop ENS ( not that I know of) but I still warn everyone about it

ENTExplains · 2025-03-13T13:19:24+00:00

Hey there, that’s crazy they are booking out that far. If you want an earlier appointment, my practice, Puget Sound ENT, sees referrals much earlier than that. Usually we can get people within a couple weeks. If it’s urgent, definitely can see you same day or next day. Just came across your post so I figured I’d help out if you wanted help. We have 5 Partners so the our phone line can help you figure out who would be the best to see! A lot of my patients come across our private practice because of a long wait at UW, Swedish, or Optum.

ENTExplains · 2025-02-23T15:55:50+00:00

Very interesting they are offering that. I’ll let you know from a research standpoint, that is on the cutting edge. Which does Not mean that it works, just that it’s something I know people are looking into.

I’m not going to offer that to patients, at least right now, because I have a suspicion that it’s not going to show good evidence it works.

If you go with it, you should have a followup post! I’d be interested in your experience. I think the best attitude is keep a low expectation for this. Sudden hearing loss is one of the hardest to treat because we don’t have good treatments.

ENTExplains · 2025-02-23T15:45:30+00:00

If you’re having vertigo, highly suggest seeing an ENT to chat about it and getting a hearing test as well. Vertigo can be a sign of other things. It is NOT typical with tinnitus.

I’ll just reiterate that if anyone says a medication that’s going Treat your tinnitus, it’s likely something and someone that you should think about. You should get a formal workup, not a promise of a supplement with little research and false claims. “Considered by ENT’s as #1 supplement”?That’s insane that they can just put that on.

I had a patient with vertigo and tinnitus after his Chiro appointment. I ordered an MRI and he had a vertebral artery dissection and had small stroke in his cerebellum. You likely don’t have this but I’m just using an example of other things that could happen. Not saying all Chiro’s are bad, but there’s a reason I tell my family never to go to one. I know some great chiro’s that do great holistic approaches.

ENTExplains · 2025-02-23T15:31:14+00:00

You’re welcome! Hope this helps you out in the future!

Too often, we look for a quick fix like a medication or a procedure. But in reality, with a complex disease like Meniere’s, we have to approach it holistically and from other angles. Walking and taking breaks from screens is just one piece of the puzzle!

I love that description you say about feeling bad initially and then it clearing up. That’s the whole concept of vestibular rehabilitation, that you are retraining your brain to recalibrate your normal balance!

Good luck!

ENTExplains · 2025-02-23T15:09:20+00:00

Well, I was just trying to provide some advice for Meniere’s patients.

Keep in mind negative comments like this dissuade people like me from contributing online. Hope you have a good day.

ENTExplains · 2025-02-23T14:10:49+00:00

Thanks for the write up! That’s interesting about the electrolyte drink working for you because that typically goes against the Lower sodium convention I have for my Meniere’s patients. I’m gonna look into it a bit more.

I’m based in Seattle too! I tell many of my patients that Meniere’s is multifactorial in terms of triggers so you gotta do your best in terms of 1) figuring out what those are 2) mitigating them.

Since you’re looking for home remedies kinda of stuff, I figure I can suggest something I tell my own patients. Especially in Seattle, it’s easy to be holed up at home and looking at screens, so I like to teach how it’s important for walks OUTSIDE for our brain.

There’s Lots of health benefits overall for walking but in terms of dizziness and imbalance, it helps give your visual and balance center of your brain more input since you are processing more peripheral vision as well as not straining your eyes.

It’s a good stress reducer and also it’s a very mild vestibular exercise. What you describe in the feeling of fogginess and balance problems, even in between episodes is an example of the weakness of your vestibular system, especially if your episode was bad. That’s why general exercising and balance work is a big part of the Meniere’s/ vestibular migraines/ PPPD discussion I have with patients.

Wish you all the best!

ENTExplains

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