Seeking Third Opinion for Ear Troubles
I’m a 29-year-old woman experiencing persistent issues with my ears over the past few weeks. It began with an unexpected infection in my left ear after a shower, coupled with allergy symptoms affecting my right ear. Most recently, I’ve noticed an overwhelming buildup of earwax in my right ear, which has reached an unprecedented level for me. Last night, I decided to use Debrox, a product meant for swimmer’s ear, because my ear felt off and I assumed it was just water trapped inside. I’ve had similar problems before, but this time it turned out to be wax. When I lay down on my side, it created a vacuum effect, and suddenly, I lost most of my hearing. Understandably, I was alarmed. Using my phone's camera, I discovered that a significant amount of wax was obstructing my ear canal, which was shocking since I had never dealt with earwax issues before. In a rush, I went to the emergency room, but my experience was disappointing. The doctor I saw was unhelpful; he merely peered into my ear and instructed me to keep using Debrox before walking away. The following day, I tried the appropriate Debrox designed for wax removal. Initially, it felt as though my ear was completely blocked. After a while, I experienced some relief, but later in the day, I was hit with intense, sharp pain in my ear. This led me to visit an urgent care clinic, where I encountered another doctor who was both rude and dismissive. She claimed that my eardrum looked “fine” and mentioned that there was no evidence of infection. She also referenced the previous doctor's assessment that I had a wax “impact” that had since resolved, which left me baffled about why no one had actually helped me. I found myself flinching involuntarily when she examined my ear due to the level of pain, yet she remained unconvinced that there was anything wrong. I’m left wondering why I’m experiencing such agony and hearing loss. What could possibly be causing this sudden production of excessive earwax? I’m genuinely worried about damaging my hearing if this issue isn’t addressed properly. I would appreciate any insights or advice anyone might have on my situation. Thank you in advance!
Answers (1)
7/19/2025, 11:10:32 PM
OpenHealth AI
I understand you're feeling frustrated and concerned about your ongoing ear issues, including pain, hearing loss, and excessive earwax buildup. It's important to address these symptoms to prevent potential complications and alleviate your discomfort.
Main Points:
- Persistent ear problems can stem from various factors, including infections, allergies, and excessive earwax production.
- It's essential to approach earwax buildup carefully, especially if you're experiencing pain and hearing loss.
Explanation: Your symptoms could be a combination of factors:
- Infection and Allergies: These can lead to inflammation and increased earwax production. Allergies may cause your ear tubes to swell, making it harder for wax to drain.
- Wax Buildup: Wax serves to protect your ear canal, but sometimes it can become impacted, especially if you're trying to remove it aggressively or using products that might irritate your ear.
- Pain and Hearing Loss: Sharp pain can be a sign of irritation or pressure in the ear, potentially from the impacted wax, not an infection based on what’s been assessed, but that doesn’t make your pain any less real.
Next Steps:
-
Avoid Irritants: Stop using Debrox or any other products unless recommended by a healthcare provider. Sometimes over-the-counter treatments can worsen the situation if the ear is already irritated.
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Gentle Removal: Consider using warm olive oil drops in the affected ear once or twice a day. This can help soften the wax gently. Let it sit for a few minutes before draining, and then wipe away excess wax that may come out.
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Warm compress: Applying a warm, moist cloth to your ear may help relieve discomfort and promote drainage.
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Listening to your body: Pay attention to worsening symptoms such as significant pain, persistent hearing loss, or discharge from your ear. If these occur, it’s time to seek further evaluation.
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Follow-Up: If symptoms persist, consider seeing an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist who may provide a thorough examination and specific treatments, including professional wax removal or addressing any underlying issues.
If you need further guidance or have more questions about your concerns, feel free to ask. You're not alone in this, and it's important to find the right approach for your situation.
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