Probably the Worst Thing That Can Happen!

[JoshuaD2002]

Well. This is just terrible really - and also incredibly lucky.

I was in my kitchen. I was trying to get a big bowl out the cupboard, but it was at the bottom of a pile of smaller bowls. So, clumsily, whilst trying to pull the big bowl out from the bottom, everything went very wrong!

One small bowl falls out, smashes in two on the marble counter to my left, the second bowl, falls out, lands on the marble counter then on the kitchen floor to my left - then out comes a cup - mostly glass, falls too, though it doesn't shatter weirdly. The noises they made were pretty loud really - in reality, the bowls fell a short distance and didn't shatter like glass. I reacted fairly quickly but a bit late, planting my right ear into my shoulder as the bowls tumbled down.

The very lucky part - I currently have a very bad earwax blockage in my left ear. It's basically made me deaf in that ear (don't worry I'm getting it suctioned out Monday). It acted as an earplug! Those bowls landed literally to my left. But wow, now I'm glad I have a blocked ear.

I'm a little worried though. I mean, three shattered object rolling down and smashing. I don't think it's as bad as it sounds really, but should I be worried about damage, maybe to my right ear? I mean wow it was a very loud 5 seconds. Will I be okay? I'm thinking that, because I knew exactly what was happening a couple seconds before it did, my ears would've been ready to defend themselves?

 

[glynis]

Try to relax and enjoy your weekend and don't forget put olive oil drops in your ear to soften the wax before getting ear suction done to soften any crusted wax.
love glynis

 

[Contrast]

currently have a very bad earwax blockage in my left ear. It's basically made me deaf in that ear (don't worry I'm getting it suctioned out Monday). It acted as an earplug! Those bowls landed literally to my left. But wow, now I'm glad I have a blocked ear.

Congratulations that is what is causing your tinnitus, remove it and you'll be tinnitus free hopefully within a month or several months after the ear wax removal. Please keep us up to date on the procedure

 

[JoshuaD2002]

So I explained the story in the first post of this thread - whilst trying to get a big bowl out of the cupboard, two small bowl fell out and smashed next to my left ear, along with a glass. One by one, crashing to the floor. I didn't notice any immediate new tinnitus. Also, I currently have a very bad earwax buildup in my left ear (which I'm getting micro-suctioned tomorrow). I thought I was quite lucky too, because the bowls smashed next to the ear with the compacted wax (and they fell onto the marble counter, then rolled down to the hard kitchen floor), the wax essentially protecting my ear because the build up is so bad it's basically an earplug.

I've woken up this morning though, 36 hours after the incident, and now there is a high pitched noise in my left ear - a constant high pitched noise. It's not too loud, but it's definitely there. I thought I'd got lucky, but now I'm in a predicament. I have the suction tomorrow, and, if those bowls and the cup falling and smashing have caused a problem. the suction is going to be a bad idea.

Thing is, I desperately need the micro-suction. I'm unsure as to whether this new ring is wax related or if it's happened as a result of the smashing. I mean, it wasn't like it was just one short exposure - one bowl smashed on the counter, the other hit the counter, rolled into the floor, then smashed, and the glass cup also made a hard impact twice, smashing on the floor. I am so clumsy.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

This is just the counter top the other bowl and glass smashed on the floor. This can't have been good for my ears. The fact that the tinnitus happens delayed would indicate that damage was done.

I thought I was in the clear because there is quite a big conductive hearing loss from the wax in the left ear, I thought that would have protected me.

It really was... "SMASH.......SMASH SMASH....SMASH....SMASH"

 

[Bill Bauer]

the suction is going to be a bad idea.

Microsuction is Always a bad idea. Many people here got permanent spikes as a result of microsuction. Try to find an ENT who agrees to use manual implements to remove the wax.

 

[JoshuaD2002]

Try to relax and enjoy your weekend and don't forget put olive oil drops in your ear to soften the wax before getting ear suction done to soften any crusted wax.
love glynis

Glynis I don't know what to do. I've hit the lowest of the lows with my mental health. I've woken up with a new high pitched ringing in my left ear, about 36 hours after the bowls and cup smash incident. My left ear feels so blocked and only my right ear, which has bad processing, is only at work. I don't know what to do. This micro-suction tomorrow. Do I go ahead with it. I'm so scared. Oh what a big mess. New Tinnitus, new problems, potentially far bigger problems after micro-suction tomorrow. Why is my left ear ringing high pitched...

 

[Julien87]

It really was... "SMASH.......SMASH SMASH....SMASH....SMASH"

You'll certainly experience much worse in the coming years. Accidents happen. And most of the times there is no need to worry..

 

[JoshuaD2002]

You'll certainly experience much worse in the coming years. Accidents happen. And most of the times there is no need to worry..

hi please read above

 

[JoshuaD2002]

You'll certainly experience much worse in the coming years. Accidents happen. And most of the times there is no need to worry..

It's by far the worst accident I've had (loud crashed one after the other), and now I have a new ringing in my left ear, a high pitched ring. My mental health is at a low again. I have a big decision to make about micro-suction tomorrow; what do you suggest?

 

[TuneOut]

Microsuction is Always a bad idea. Many people here got permanent spikes as a result of microsuction. Try to find an ENT who agrees to use manual implements to remove the wax.

When I had wax issues once I just used a spray bottle with warm water and a little salt. I set it on "jet" spray, turned my head to the side and sprayed, repeatedly, up into the ear. I don't know how safe this is compared to suctioning, though.

 

[glynis]

@JoshuaD2002 ,
I can understand the massive emotional wobble tinnitus has caused you and it not you cracking up as it's a natural panic and grieving for silence.
Go tomorrow even just to let them take a second look .
You could have a bit of a infection brewing or just mucus in your tubes.
You will get through this I promise as you get to know your ears and tinnitus sounds and spikes and good days and could also go.
Try not to panic as it will feed your tinnitus so try think let's get any professional treatment out of the way and get some talking therapy in place for you to support your low mood till your feeling better as we all need to look after our mental health to give us strength to deal with issues.
love glynis

 

[Michael Leigh]

Microsuction is Always a bad idea. Many people here got permanent spikes as a result of microsuction. Try to find an ENT who agrees to use manual implements to remove the wax.

Microsuction is the best method of removing earwax particularly when it is impacted. Much better than having it manually removed by curette. A problem usually arises when people do not apply eardrops 3 times a day to each ear for 7 to 10 days to soften the wax completely, before having microsuction or irrigation, then problems can result.

Michael

 

[Elfin]

I have a big decision to make about micro-suction tomorrow; what do you suggest?

I had wax issues a year or so ago and paid for someone to remove it using a curette. No noise trauma and was the quietest option.

There is no way, in a fragile state, I would ever consider suction. Many people report spiking or even onset of T.

Doesn't merit the risks for me, when you could request or find a quieter method.

 

[Michael Leigh]

I have had microsuction 3 times ear irrigation 3 times and never had a problem. Applied eardrops 3 times a day for 10 days to completely soften the wax. Many people that have microsuction and irrigation develop problems because of not using eardrops in the manner I've mentioned. If they still have problems it is likely the medical professional hasn't carried out the procedure correctly.

Having earwax manually removed can also cause problems, and is considered risky perhaps even dangerous by some ENT doctors. A member is this forum had earwax manually removed and had problems: https://www.tinnitustalk.com/thread...-still-feels-clogged-a-bit-and-muffled.21654/

 

[Michael Leigh]

Do I go ahead with it. I'm so scared. Oh what a big mess. New Tinnitus, new problems, potentially far bigger problems after micro-suction tomorrow. Why is my left ear ringing high pitched...

@JoshuaD2002

Please read the post below.
Michael

Microsuction and Irrigation.

The ear is a delicate and sophisticated organ that some people might not give much thought to, as the majority of the time it's able to take care of itself, until something goes wrong with it. Attached to the side of our head we see the outer ear known as the Pinnia. Beyond this, lies a mystery to many although most people know they have an eardrum also called the tympanic membrane.

The Pinnia collects sounds from the outside world and funnels them down the narrow passageway inside our head called the ear canal. The sounds are directed onto the eardrum which is situated in the middle ear. The ear canal is lined with wax the medical term cerumen. Small glands in the ears produces the wax and protects the skin of the canal by preventing bacteria, dirt and other foreign substances from entering. Under normal circumstances the wax passes out harmlessly but sometimes a build up can make the ears feel blocked and one might experience hearing loss, itchiness, sometimes pain and even tinnitus.

If using eardrops doesn't clear the blockage a visit to the GP surgery for removal of the wax using irrigation might be necessary or in some cases going to an ENT clinic for microscution.

A few people have contacted me and raised concerns about irrigation and microsuction and asked whether they are safe for use on people that have tinnitus? I also had a lengthy discussion with someone in this forum last week, who's adamant the tinnitus was made worse after having microsuction. This person had done all the right things. Applying olive oil eardrops to each ear for two weeks prior to the procedure and still ended up with problems. I therefore believe, the health professional doing the microsuction, wasn't as skilled and adept as he or she should have been. This is unfortunate, as the person in question had no way of knowing this and is now enduring more discomfort.

The old fashioned method of ear syringing, using a metal canister filled with water and squirted into the ear under pressure, to remove earwax is no longer used. This method was rather crude and abrasive and could cause problems to the ear. Modern ear irrigation is considered gentler and a safer method. I have had this done three times at my GP surgery without problems. Prior to it being carried out I used eardrops 3 times a day for 10 days to soften the wax.

When the earwax is impacted irrigation might be unsuccessful even after using eardrops. The next step is microsuction. As the name suggests, the wax is literally sucked out using a small handheld wand with a suction tip and is considered to be the safest method of wax removal. I have also had this done three times at my hospital ENT department, which was carried out my consultant who I had every confidence in and had no problems. She is a firm believer in the use of microsuction especially for someone with tinnitus. Again, eardrops should be used for 7 to 10 days before having it done.

A word of caution. Type into any search engine and you'll probably find a mirosuction clinic in your area, advising how safe and quick it is and that there's no need to use eardrops to soften the wax. Others might say just use it for a couple of days or the night before coming into clinic. I strongly advise you not follow this advice. People have contacted me after having microsuction and didn't use eardrops for 7 to 10 days and ended up with tinnitus that they didn't have before. When they returned to the clinic to complain they were quickly shown the door.

Every medical procedure carries a risk. It is just not ideal to go around with blocked up ears, hearing loss or experiencing increased tinnitus as a result of impacted wax. If one is paying privately, try to find a reputable clinic and use olive oil eardrops in the manner I've stated before having microsuction or irrigation. I also advise to use eardrops two or three times a week to keep the earwax soft so it can pass out through the ears naturally and help prevent build up.

 

[TuneOut]

Microsuction is the best method of removing earwax particularly when it is impacted.

Except that it's loud. Too loud.

Suction-generated noise in an anatomic silicon ear model.

"Average noise levels during normal suction in a distance of 1 cm in front of the eardrum ranged between 97 and 103.5 dB(A) (broadband noise). Peak noise levels reached 118 dB(A). During partial obstruction of the sucker by cerumen or dermal flakes, peak noise levels reached 146 dB(A)."

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22740154/

 

[Michael Leigh]

Except that it's loud. Too loud.

As I have stated: I have had microsuction 3 times and never had a problem. My ENT consultant is an Audiovestibular physician and asked which mentioned of earwax removal is best. Without a second thought she said microsuction. People that go to a walk-in clinic on the street or choose a clinic from a website haven't got the faintest idea how good these people are. It is always best to have microsuction done at a hospital ENT clinic.

 

[dpdx]

As I have stated: I have had microsuction 3 times and never had a problem. My ENT consultant is an Audiovestibular physician and asked which mentioned of earwax removal is best. Without a second thought she said microsuction. People that go to a walk-in clinic on the street or choose a clinic from a website haven't got the faintest idea how good these people are. It is always best to have microsuction done at a hospital ENT clinic.

You have a good physician. All the audiologists and ENT I had were terrible.

 

[Julien87]

I have a big decision to make about micro-suction tomorrow; what do you suggest?

I have no opinion on that, sorry.
Never tried any wax removal method.

 

[dpdx]

You will be fine.

 

[Michael Leigh]

You have a good physician. All the audiologists and ENT I had were terrible.

You do have a point @dpdx and I'm sorry to know that you had an unfortunate experience. I suppose in everything there is: good, better, best and then there's absolutely terrible. The thing is, these people are allowed to continue practicing medicine unchallenged and never brought to book!

Take care
Michael

 

[JoshuaD2002]

@JoshuaD2002 ,
I can understand the massive emotional wobble tinnitus has caused you and it not you cracking up as it's a natural panic and grieving for silence.
Go tomorrow even just to let them take a second look .
You could have a bit of a infection brewing or just mucus in your tubes.
You will get through this I promise as you get to know your ears and tinnitus sounds and spikes and good days and could also go.
Try not to panic as it will feed your tinnitus so try think let's get any professional treatment out of the way and get some talking therapy in place for you to support your low mood till your feeling better as we all need to look after our mental health to give us strength to deal with issues.
love glynis

I'm really worried about this new tinnitus. It's high pitched and in the wax ear. Could the kitchen smashing be the reason...

 

[Bill Bauer]

I have had microsuction 3 times and never had a problem.

Many people Had ended up with huge problems following having microsuction done.

 

[glynis]

@JoshuaD2002,
Could be a bit of both but should settle soon.
love glynis

 

[Michael Leigh]

Many people Had ended up with huge problems following having microsuction done.

This is quite true @Bill Bauer But when one starts dig a little deeper you will often find the following as I have at other tinnitus forums: People having microsuction and not applying eardrops/olive oil to each ear 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days prior to having microsuction. Or, the microsuction was done at some walk-in clinic and not at a dedicated hospital ENT clinic. There are clinics advertising on the Internet, telling people no need to use eardrops to soften the wax before microsuction which is the wrong advice. These people are unregulated and I wouldn't go to them because all they're interested in is making a quick buck.

Always go to a hospital ENT clinic to have microsuction done.
Michael

 

[JoshuaD2002]

@JoshuaD2002,
Could be a bit of both but should settle soon.
love glynis

This really isn't too good I thought the wax blockage would've acted as somewhat protection. This will probably be permanent I'm guessing
I shouldn't have expected to have accidentally smashed 3 pieces of kitchenware and thought I'd be tinnitus free. Oh no. And the fact that it has happened a while after... it must've done some damage. It's very bad as well. High pitched. That's so unlucky ;(

 

[glynis]

My advice in my opinion if having microsuction would be to tell them if they come to crusted wax near the drum you would like them to stop and come back in two weeks after treating your ears with olive oil as you have tinnitus and would not want any firm prodding .
love glynis

 

[JoshuaD2002]

My advice in my opinion if having microsuction would be to tell them if they come to crusted wax near the drum you would like them to stop and come back in two weeks after treating your ears with olive oil as you have tinnitus and would not want any firm prodding .
love glynis

I'm completely depressed at the thought of permanent tinnitus, all because I was so clumsy. Then again it seems to unlucky I've seen people who have had accidents with plates and cups and glass in general and they've been fine. Again Glynis the hearing loss that the wax is causing surely would eased the noise intensity of the smashes? I fear what this tinnitus could've been if there was no wax...
I guess I won't be sleeping. Do you think this is permanent damage Glynis will it subside I'm scared now I've never had an incident like this. My left ear feels so blocked and stuffed up and now it's ringing with this new high pitched tone oh god this is scary. What are your thoughts on the above Glynis that's all I'm interested in. Thanks.

;(

 

[glynis]

@JoshuaD2002,
Tinnitus needs time to settle with no quick fix as time works wonders.
Let ENT do there job removing the wax and it should help and try stay relaxed as it is early days to presume it's here to stay...don't let your anxiety take hold playing mind games...
love glynis