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Ear irrigation
Any use of liquid instilled into the ear canal could be described as ear irrigation (best done by a professional). Sometimes, the ear canal can become filled with excess wax (cerumen). One way to remove this excess is to gently flush the canal with liquid. Ear irrigation with a combination of alcohol and a vinegar solution is used by some after swimming to prevent ear infections.
Dr. David Doucette reviewed this
41 year experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Related questions
A 37-year old asked:
How should ear irrigation feel?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 28-year old male asked:
What is the definition or description of: ear irrigation?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
Ear irrigation: After the procedure, I still can't hear through one ear very well. Is this normal? How long should I wait before checking back in?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 36-year old asked:
How long fafter an ear irrigation will I feel pressure on my eardrum?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old asked:
Did a piece of brain come out during my ear irrigation today, how can I tell?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old male asked:
Got ear irrigation for wax removal , after that my right ear reacts like blop or flap to certain sounds like running water or utensils or polythene.
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
Can ear irrigation be done at home to clean out wax? I had my ear cleaned out two weeks ago at doctor wax is back not allowed to use qtip wax removal
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A 53-year old female asked:
My husband had our doctor do an ear irrigation, and now he is has very clogged ears, is this normal?Did the doc damage his ears? Any home remedies?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 29-year old female asked:
Is it normal to feel dizzy after ear irrigation with hydrogen peroxide in both ears?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 24-year old female asked:
I just did a ear irrigation on both ears. Both are cleared of wax now. However, after that I heard some echoes when I talk. Why?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
A 40-year old female asked:
Ear ringing and head aches 24/7 since ear irrigation last week. Family doctor looked in my ear and said it looked fine. Is this normal?
1 doctor answer • 10 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
Help please! is ear canal irrigation the best way to clear up a plugged-up ear canal?
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old female asked:
How to stop ear pressure after nasal irrigation?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old female asked about a female:
2yr old had ear wax removed by irrigation by pediatrician. She is crying that her ear hurts and is really fussy.What can I giver her for the pain?
3 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
A 61-year old female asked:
Used too much pressure doing nasal irrigation. Left ear is clogged. Valsalva maneuver ineffective. Have been taking sudafed. Ineffective?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
Can ears take a little while to stop ringing after being blocked with wax for over 2 weeks , never no ringing before jst irrigation hasn't stopped it?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 46-year old male asked:
Im Just wandering how long it takes to get hearing back after an irrigation of an ear?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
Is water irrigation of the ear by a doctor safe?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 34-year old female asked:
Could nasal irrigation make a sinus infection worse by pushing it into the ears? What's a sign you should stop using nasal irrigation?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 51-year old female asked:
Did nasal irrigation neilmed wrong and ear feels a little full/clogged. Did I give myself an infection now? I must have had my head tilted wrong?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 18-year old male asked:
Reasons for my ears ringing? Never ever ringing before a wax block had 2 irrigations on both ears if that helps no infection either ears won't pop tho
1 doctor answer • 4 doctors weighed in
A 41-year old female asked:
Did nasal irrigation (like neti pot) in feb. And water got stuck in my ears. Water is gone but ear pressure remains that was not present before. Why?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 41-year old female asked:
Had the flu 1st week in jan. Did nasal irrigation 2nd week in feb. & water got stuck in ears. Still feeling sinus pain in nose and ear pressure. ?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A male asked:
My son has an over production of ear wax, there is no infection, as confirmed by our doctor. How can I use colace (docusate sodium) to soften wax before doc irrigation?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 20-year old female asked:
Hi, sinus infection for past week. Nasal irrigation helped, mucus clearer & congestion gone. Now left ear is clogged &left side of throat/ear is sore?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
A 51-year old female asked:
History of rhinitis. No sneezing but have a lot of post nasal drip, ear & sinus pressure in face too. Doesnt feel like a cold. sinus irrigation with saline at night.Bad taste in mouth. Also have acid reflux now. Should I take antihistamine?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
A 33-year old asked:
How often should you have ear lavage?
2 doctor answers • 1 doctor weighed in
A 23-year old male asked:
Can cerumen impaction contribute to vertigo? Thinking of asking for ear lavage while i'm in the ER since i haven't had one in a very long time.
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
A 38-year old asked:
I recently had my ear irrigated. Is the constant pain in my ear afterwards normal?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A 36-year old female asked:
My daughter had her ear irrigated and now shes complaining she can't hear out of that ear is that normal?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
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