Ear wax cement or just poor phone service?

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staceya
staceya Member Posts: 720
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I ran into a friend yesterday who had rads to head and neck.
She ended up with ears plugged with wax, that had to be removed by the doctor.
Anyone else with this issue..
I have been having a hard time hearing with my right ear when I am on the phone, I had been blaming ATT, but it may be ear wax...
PS... In general I like to blame a lot of things on ATT.

Thanks for any advice
Stacey

Comments

  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #2
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    Brother, can you hear me?
    Stacey
    You bet, I've had my ears, especially the left, cleared out twice. I think it is a cause of the rads, but have no reason to say that,,,have them checked
    Good luck Steve
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #3
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    hawk711 said:

    Brother, can you hear me?
    Stacey
    You bet, I've had my ears, especially the left, cleared out twice. I think it is a cause of the rads, but have no reason to say that,,,have them checked
    Good luck Steve

    Does your ENT do this?

    Does your ENT do this?
  • hislove40
    hislove40 Member Posts: 51
    #4
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    We are expecting fluid buildup
    Stacey -
    I'm not sure this is the same thing but my cancer nodules are in my left preauricular lymph node and each time I see the doc she asks about my ear. So far there is some pressure pain but I don't think I'm having any serious buildup yet. I asked about my eardrums last time (just concerns for the future) and she said they shouldn't be affected. I still have 17 rads to go with the last 5 being deep rads in front of my left ear. So I think depending on your treatment plan, heavy wax sounds about right. My routine before all this started has always been to clean my ears right after my shower more because water in my ears will drive me nuts but nothing yet. I'd definitely bring it up to your doc. Good luck!!!
  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #5
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    hard ear was
    is a common affliction after radiation. I periodically get my canals cleaned at the ENT office, cause it is almost impossible for me to accomplish at home. He uses a little suction device during my routine exam. Takes about a minute per side.
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #6
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    Mineral oil
    Followed by warm saline flushes using a syringe for sufficient pressure to clear out the wax.
  • hawk711
    hawk711 Member Posts: 566
    #7
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    hawk711 said:

    Brother, can you hear me?
    Stacey
    You bet, I've had my ears, especially the left, cleared out twice. I think it is a cause of the rads, but have no reason to say that,,,have them checked
    Good luck Steve

    Stacey
    Yes, your ENT can remove the wax very easily. They do it normally when you get a check up.
    My ENT has cleaned mine twice in 2 years time, since treatment.
    I hope your issue is wax,,,,,it's an easy fix.
    All the best
    Steve
  • Roselvr
    Roselvr Member Posts: 30
    #8
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    Stacey; did they test your
    Stacey; did they test your hearing before rads? Most lose part of their hearing from it. See your ENT & rule out wax verses hearing loss.
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #9
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    Roselvr said:

    Stacey; did they test your
    Stacey; did they test your hearing before rads? Most lose part of their hearing from it. See your ENT & rule out wax verses hearing loss.

    Ear Wax
    I have had an issue with wax build up twice! The wax had hardened so badly that I was told to go home & take an ear dropper & put some mineral oil in to soften. So I did it twice a day for about a week! Totally worked & small chuncks of wax came out before I had to go back to see the Dr. This is common with radiation treatment!I wish they had something to take away the buzzing lol!
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #10
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    rozaroo said:

    Ear Wax
    I have had an issue with wax build up twice! The wax had hardened so badly that I was told to go home & take an ear dropper & put some mineral oil in to soften. So I did it twice a day for about a week! Totally worked & small chuncks of wax came out before I had to go back to see the Dr. This is common with radiation treatment!I wish they had something to take away the buzzing lol!

    Wax-did you use baby
    Wax-did you use baby oil?
    Hearing-I never did have a pre-rad hearing test.
    My right ear has been plugged ever since an evil ear cleaning q-tip incident years ago.
    But it feels like it is a bit harder to hear on that side.
    I will check in with the ENT in a few weeks

    Thanks for all of the advice!!
    Stacey
  • rozaroo
    rozaroo Member Posts: 665
    #11
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    staceya said:

    Wax-did you use baby
    Wax-did you use baby oil?
    Hearing-I never did have a pre-rad hearing test.
    My right ear has been plugged ever since an evil ear cleaning q-tip incident years ago.
    But it feels like it is a bit harder to hear on that side.
    I will check in with the ENT in a few weeks

    Thanks for all of the advice!!
    Stacey

    Mineral oil !
    Staceya! I was advised to buy an ear dropper & a bottle of Mineral oil from the pharmacy! The physician from the walk in clinic said he did not have time to remove as it was like cement. I would put the drops in my ear & lie still for 15 minutes twice a day! I also used the hair blower not on hot of course! It work's but takes time! I now do it when I feel the wax building up! I was in slight pain from it!

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