Microsuction Caused Midranges (Voices) to Distort: Relief Provided by Specific Massage

[swisspooch]

After having ear wax removed using microsuction, I experienced distorted hearing with anything louder than soft sounds, particularly in the midrange. Along with this, I felt a general sense of "drungyness," a terrible feeling that made me fear this would be my life from now on. The guidance I received from the ENT, several doctors, and an audiologist was very poor. A hearing test confirmed what I already knew after the micro suction of impacted wax, and their suggestion was hearing aids.

But I think I have just found a solution myself. After trying countless methods, such as saline flushes, steroidal nasal sprays, steam treatments, Valsalva maneuvers, and various ear-popping techniques, I finally found hope today.

My right ear was the one treated with microsuction. While listening to distorted music, I used my index finger to press below my earlobe, right behind the bony part at the back of my jaw. To my amazement, the music cleared up for the first time in months as I held pressure there. When I released the pressure, the distortion returned after a few seconds.

Determined, I started massaging the area vigorously. Believing there might be some resonating blockage in my Eustachian tubes, I began sweeping my fingers from that spot down to the base of my neck, repeatedly. After an hour of this, as I write this, my hearing has returned to normal, and the world sounds beautiful again.

I hope this helps someone else out there!

 

[LukeYoung]

Do you think it could be related to the SCM muscle or the Eustachian tube? What kinds of sounds do you react to? For me, it seems like certain sounds, sometimes even white noise, trigger distortions. My distortions sound like an airy rustling, similar to leaves in the fall.

This first happened last year after I was blocked for more than five days. When the blockage cleared, I noticed sensitivity and "distortions" that lasted about four days before settling down.

I actually think it might be a type of noise sensitivity that develops after reduced sound exposure over a long period of time.

I just had microsuction again today because I was blocked again. I am having a similar experience, but it does not seem as bad as last year, maybe because I caught it earlier this time.

 

[Jupiterman]

It amazes me that people with tinnitus still get microsuction!

Are you wanting worse tinnitus?

 

[LukeYoung]

It amazes me that people with tinnitus still get microsuction!

Are you wanting worse tinnitus?

What is the alternative when you have impacted wax, and drops or a curette cannot remove it? None of us want this situation, but what other choice do we have? Let it build up, get infected, and worsen? Lose all hearing for weeks?

 

[Jupiterman]

What is the alternative when you have impacted wax, and drops or a curette cannot remove it? None of us want this situation, but what other choice do we have? Let it build up, get infected, and worsen? Lose all hearing for weeks?

Use olive oil to soften the wax for about a week. Then, use an otoscope camera with a curette attachment, like this one.

Be careful. Small, deliberate movements and a steady hand are essential. The eardrum is only 2 cm from the canal entrance, so avoid touching it or even getting too close.

The more wax you remove, the easier it becomes for the remaining wax to exit naturally. This is why taking two-day breaks between removal attempts is beneficial.

Remove a small amount of wax at a time and apply olive oil twice daily afterward. Two days later, repeat the removal process. If the wax is impacted, it may take several weeks to fully clear.

Treat one ear at a time. Sleeping on the side of the ear you're treating can encourage the wax to flow out naturally.

Doctors successfully cleared ears long before microsuction or electricity were available, so it's possible to manage without modern interventions.

Avoid microsuction. It significantly increases the risk of worsening tinnitus.

 

[swisspooch]

Do you think it could be related to the SCM muscle or the Eustachian tube? What kinds of sounds do you react to? For me, it seems like certain sounds, sometimes even white noise, trigger distortions. My distortions sound like an airy rustling, similar to leaves in the fall.

This first happened last year after I was blocked for more than five days. When the blockage cleared, I noticed sensitivity and "distortions" that lasted about four days before settling down.

I actually think it might be a type of noise sensitivity that develops after reduced sound exposure over a long period of time.

I just had microsuction again today because I was blocked again. I am having a similar experience, but it does not seem as bad as last year, maybe because I caught it earlier this time.

The sounds I react to, and that are distorted, are mostly in the midrange, particularly in the vocal area. My own voice and my wife's voice, which I know so well, sound buzzy whenever they go beyond soft speaking. In the audio world, where I used to work, there is no dynamic range in this midrange. Reverberant rooms are especially challenging.

After four months of trying various treatments, including reading, using sprays, saline flushes, and making return visits to ENTs and audiologists, I received little real help. As I mentioned, while listening to music, I have noticed I can create changes through vigorous massages (lots of techniques are available on YouTube). The Valsalva maneuver helps for a few seconds, but I am concerned about overusing it.

I wanted to share a technique that has given me longer lasting relief. In addition to massaging and using nasal saline flushes, I do the following:

• Place your thumbs in both ears.
• Use your index fingers to close both nostrils.
• Keep your mouth shut, and blow gently.

When I do this, I can hear and feel what I believe to be my Eustachian tubes expanding, but without any eardrum popping. I hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. The result is beautiful, clear sound that lasts for up to a few minutes.

Am I stretching my Eustachian tubes? I am not sure, but I will report back in a few days. I have not seen anyone else mention this technique, but I feel it is safer and more controlled than the Valsalva maneuver, which seems to push my eardrums outward. In fact, the Valsalva often makes my hearing dull until I swallow, which briefly restores it.

Looking back, I wish I had never undergone microsuction. However, I did experience 100 percent hearing loss due to impacted wax after submerging in a hot tub, so I needed some form of intervention.

 

[LukeYoung]

Use olive oil to soften the wax for about a week. Then, use an otoscope camera with a curette attachment, like this one.

Be careful. Small, deliberate movements and a steady hand are essential. The eardrum is only 2 cm from the canal entrance, so avoid touching it or even getting too close.

The more wax you remove, the easier it becomes for the remaining wax to exit naturally. This is why taking two-day breaks between removal attempts is beneficial.

Remove a small amount of wax at a time and apply olive oil twice daily afterward. Two days later, repeat the removal process. If the wax is impacted, it may take several weeks to fully clear.

Treat one ear at a time. Sleeping on the side of the ear you're treating can encourage the wax to flow out naturally.

Doctors successfully cleared ears long before microsuction or electricity were available, so it's possible to manage without modern interventions.

Avoid microsuction. It significantly increases the risk of worsening tinnitus.

They can only get so close to the eardrum with a curette. In my case, when the wax is soft, very wet, and sticky, and does not break apart, it becomes very difficult for them to remove. Waxsol drops seem to expand the existing wax, making the situation worse. It's a bit of a shame because some removalists have very little patience. Where I live, there are only two places outside of ENT clinics that offer curette cleaning. Unfortunately, the ENT clinics are booked for months, which is not ideal when you're dealing with a full blockage, no hearing, pain, and other symptoms.

I understand your thought process. I've decided I won't get microsuction again in the future. Instead, I'll focus on finding a regular provider who can clean my ears using a curette.

I would guess that olive oil drops might have a similar effect to the Waxsol drops I tried. Interestingly, I experience sensitivity and distortion with both irrigation and microsuction, so the curette seems to be my only viable option going forward. I'll need to find someone reliable, ideally just one person, who has the patience and skill to consistently use the curette method for ear cleaning.

The sounds I react to, and that are distorted, are mostly in the midrange, particularly in the vocal area. My own voice and my wife's voice, which I know so well, sound buzzy whenever they go beyond soft speaking. In the audio world, where I used to work, there is no dynamic range in this midrange. Reverberant rooms are especially challenging.

After four months of trying various treatments, including reading, using sprays, saline flushes, and making return visits to ENTs and audiologists, I received little real help. As I mentioned, while listening to music, I have noticed I can create changes through vigorous massages (lots of techniques are available on YouTube). The Valsalva maneuver helps for a few seconds, but I am concerned about overusing it.

I wanted to share a technique that has given me longer lasting relief. In addition to massaging and using nasal saline flushes, I do the following:

• Place your thumbs in both ears.
• Use your index fingers to close both nostrils.
• Keep your mouth shut, and blow gently.

When I do this, I can hear and feel what I believe to be my Eustachian tubes expanding, but without any eardrum popping. I hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. The result is beautiful, clear sound that lasts for up to a few minutes.

Am I stretching my Eustachian tubes? I am not sure, but I will report back in a few days. I have not seen anyone else mention this technique, but I feel it is safer and more controlled than the Valsalva maneuver, which seems to push my eardrums outward. In fact, the Valsalva often makes my hearing dull until I swallow, which briefly restores it.

Looking back, I wish I had never undergone microsuction. However, I did experience 100 percent hearing loss due to impacted wax after submerging in a hot tub, so I needed some form of intervention.

I can already control my Eustachian tubes without needing to block my nose. When I first developed tinnitus, my tubes were constantly blocked and clicking. I performed maneuvers so frequently that I can now control them on command.

 

[Benjaminbb]

Keep us updated if you continue to experience relief or find a long-term solution. It's definitely interesting that massaging your jaw can affect sound distortion. I have similar symptoms in one ear, and it feels more like a vibration or a mechanical issue rather than something related to the cochlea.

How severe was your hearing loss, and at what frequency?

 

[LukeYoung]

Keep us updated if you continue to experience relief or find a long-term solution. It's definitely interesting that massaging your jaw can affect sound distortion. I have similar symptoms in one ear, and it feels more like a vibration or a mechanical issue rather than something related to the cochlea.

How severe was your hearing loss, and at what frequency?

It sounds like TTS to me, but I could be wrong.

 

[Jupiterman]

Removing earwax with a curette in one session is very difficult, if not impossible.

Olive oil does not fully penetrate earwax; it only softens the surface it contacts, creating a shiny appearance that can be seen with an otoscope camera.

Using a camera-curette tool (with the image displayed on a tablet or iPad), you can scoop out the softened, shiny wax. However, do not attempt to remove the hardened wax at this stage.

As I mentioned in a previous post, reapply olive oil two or three times a day for two days. This will soften more of the wax, giving it the shiny, recognizable appearance that makes it easier to remove with the camera-curette tool. Repeat this process as needed.

Focus on one ear at a time and sleep on the side of the treated ear. This allows gravity to assist in detaching the softened wax from the eardrum and moving it toward the ear canal's exit.

Safe earwax removal is a gradual process that can take weeks but is worth the effort for effective and safe results.

The issue with many ENTs and audiologists is that they often try to remove all the earwax in one session, which is neither ideal nor safe, in my opinion. They tend to be impatient, and as you pointed out, many do not even use a curette. Even if they do, they are unlikely to use an endoscopic camera, which provides clear, panoramic, real-time imagery of the ear canal.

Earwax builds up in layers over time, and ideally, it should be removed in layers over time as well.

Many professionals prefer microsuction because it is quicker and more convenient for them, allowing them to see more clients and earn more money. Unfortunately, they often dismiss concerns about worsening tinnitus, believing it to be impossible.

Finding an 'expert' who uses a curette along with an endoscopic camera can be challenging.

It is surprising how many YouTube videos show so-called 'experts' using magnifying glasses strapped to their heads to remove earwax with a curette. Someone needs to inform them that technology has advanced—they should be using endoscopic ear cameras to see precisely what they are doing.

 

[swisspooch]

I think you are right about microsuction being too convenient. I wish I had not gone through with it. However, I experienced total hearing loss suddenly after dunking my head under very warm water with oils. Intensive irrigation did nothing to help. After five days, I decided to try microsuction, which turned out to be very brutal; loud and painful. I later learned that the ENT was actually a PA, not a doctor, for what it is worth. Still, it is water under the bridge now.

What is most maddening is the distortion of voices, especially louder ones, along with a slight dullness in high frequencies. I have found that I can manage this somewhat through aggressive massaging and gentle Valsalva maneuvers. My version of the Valsalva involves placing my thumbs on my ears, my index fingers on my nostrils, closing my mouth, and blowing gently while holding the pressure. I can feel what I believe are my Eustachian tubes expanding. It feels gentler and more controlled compared to the traditional Valsalva, which causes my eardrums to flex out suddenly.

With this technique, I can temporarily restore my dynamic range, regain high frequencies, and eliminate distortion for up to a minute.

Does anyone here have similar symptoms? There are no allergies involved; this was an isolated event.