“Ear wax impacted?”
I went to the ENT doc yesterday. I had the removal of earwax. He scratched the ear canal and did not remove all of it. Now I am deaf in the ear and hear a swirling sound. I have been told to come back. I am using antibiotics with steroid drops he prescribed. Could he have caused the permanent hearing loss? I was perfect when I went in yesterday. Now feel hellish in the ear.
Male | 63 years old
Complaint duration: 1
Medications: Antibiotic steroid drops
Conditions: Impacted ear wax
6 Answers
It is HIGHLY improbable that any permanent hearing loss resulted from what you described. A scratch to the ear canal, as you noted, would not result in any hearing loss itself. If blood pooled and hardened along the eardrum, this could result in some hearing loss and fullness in the affected ear. Prescribing you antibiotic drops was appropriate given the situation.
After the prescribed time period for the drops, simply return for a repeat examination. The remainder of the wax (and possibly, blood) should be easier to remove as it should be softened by the drops. At that point, an audiogram and tympanometry should be performed.
After the prescribed time period for the drops, simply return for a repeat examination. The remainder of the wax (and possibly, blood) should be easier to remove as it should be softened by the drops. At that point, an audiogram and tympanometry should be performed.
That is very unlikely. You probably are obstructed with cerumen; and your hearing is likely to return when the cerumen is removed completely.
Hello,
Cleaning ears can create some trauma - this is not unusual at all based on how deep the wax is, quality of wax, or if a patient moves. This method will not create hearing loss. The ENT specialist will put you on antibiotics and steroid drops in order to prevent an ear canal infection and swelling. Recommend you follow up with the specialist again to make sure the ear canal is fine, all wax is removed, and then obtain a hearing test.
Dr. D
Cleaning ears can create some trauma - this is not unusual at all based on how deep the wax is, quality of wax, or if a patient moves. This method will not create hearing loss. The ENT specialist will put you on antibiotics and steroid drops in order to prevent an ear canal infection and swelling. Recommend you follow up with the specialist again to make sure the ear canal is fine, all wax is removed, and then obtain a hearing test.
Dr. D
Alternatively, if you're uncomfortable with seeing that ENT again, you can see another. It's hard to know exactly what's going on without seeing your ear, but either way, if the impacted wax is still in there, that needs to come out. Also, I just want to disclose that I'm not a physician, whereas the ENT is.
Not to worry, if you’re using drops to soften the remaining wax it’s totally normal for the ear to feel blocked until they get it cleared!
Could be
