• FinishingDutch@lemmy.world
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      17 days ago

      Honestly though… irrigation to me is just as enjoyable :D

      It’s like scratching an itch in a spot you didn’t even know was itching. And you’re going to love how clean it feels. Definitely get it done at least once if you’ve never experienced it.

      • TheRealKuni@lemmy.world
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        17 days ago

        You can actually irrigate at home, the sprayer is cheap and easy to use. I do it for my wife, whose ears get clogged frequently (no she does not use q-tips, she just produces a lot of wax and inherited the genes for it from her dad).

        • FinishingDutch@lemmy.world
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          17 days ago

          You can, but in general it’s good to be aware of risk factors and the proper way to do it.

          For example, if you’ve had ear issues like a ruptured eardrum, ear tubes or a history of infections, it’s best to let a doctor look at it first. It’s a fairly safe thing to do, but there are contra-indications to be aware of.

          Another important note: if you’ve do irrigate, it’s usually best to use lukewarm water. If you’ve use cold water, it can lead to dizziness. Not everyone is susceptible to that, but it’s good to be aware of it.

          I’m like your wife, in that I get clogged ears naturally. Particularly my right ear. I have a slightly wonky ear canal, which causes wax to build up. I usually get it cleaned every year or so. Olive oil drops help to get things going.

        • FinishingDutch@lemmy.world
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          17 days ago

          I’m always amazed how much comes out. I always like to take a look after they flush it.

          Last time, my left ear - the one that didn’t even feel clogged - had a plug in it about the size of your pinky distal phalange (the last section of your pinky).

          I didn’t even feel it when it was in there. But I sure as shit felt when it wasn’t! Everything sounded so loud for a day or two afterwards.

          • prettybunnys@sh.itjust.works
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            17 days ago

            I’ve only had to do it twice, the first time was after a particularly nasty sinus infection where I basically expelled an entire cast of my sinus cavity via sneeze ( 0/10 feeling, do not recommend ) and a second time when I was getting custom studio plugs made.

            You can also get an ear cleaning done by an ent where they’ll use tools, that was … unpleasant but so fucking effective.

            • FinishingDutch@lemmy.world
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              17 days ago

              Yeah, an ENT will usually use a curette while looking into your ear. That’s like a little stick with a loop or scoop at the end. Basically, they’ll manually scrape it clean. It’s effective, but usually more unpleasant as you found out.

              Thankfully, drops and irrigation work just fine for me.