I put olive oil in my ear and now I can’t hear too well?

[Anonymous]

I don’t use Q-tips to clean my left ear because when I do it tends to hurt afterwards, like an on and off throbbing pain. The doctor recommended that I use olive oil. I’ve been doing this for a while now with no issues. Today though, I did it and it’s as if it’s super clogged. I’m hearing super muffled on my left ear. Even if I put my phone speaker close to my ear it sounds muffled and not clear at all. I did put a bit too much oil than usual today, could that be why?

Google says to wait a couple days, but is there anything that I can try in the meantime. Thanks!

[abc3643]

In a few days, all the oil will drain out of your ear canal and you will be fine. You can help matters by tilting your head in such a way that the oil slowly flows out the ear canal.

However, going forward, don't pour olive oil in your ear canal. Google "cerumen removal kit" and use something like that to flush out any spurious wax.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/6Ee0VtgwmyI

That said, some wax (the medical term is "cerumen") can be stubborn and, worst case, a physician's assistant can clean it for you. If you live anywhere near an Asian enclave, they'll do it for you; in Asian societies, keeping the ears clean is an important thing and they have their ears cleaned all the time just like we might go to a hair salon or nail salon.

For instance, here is Jason Rupp getting his ears cleaned in Chinatown in Manhattan.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ny9XuTIww_0

Here's another example in China (use closed-captioning).

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zvuJ3vOigRE

Also, learn how to "crack your ears"... this will change your life! Once I learned how to do that, the stuffiness like you are feeling and that I have felt goes away much quicker.

For example:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLZpxIVNUT8

By the way, these days, you can buy video otoscopes that attach to your smartphone for about $30 so you can see for yourself how bad your ears are and if they really need cleaning.

Here's an example:

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Otoscope-Camera-Compatible-Android/dp/B07ZCQZQ6M

[Asker]

Hi, thanks for the helpful response. I tilted my head for a few mins and got relief. I’ll sleep with my head tilted and hopefully it keeps improving. Thanks for the suggestion of the removal kit, I’ll look into it.

[Anonymous]

You should find out the source of the problem. Loud noises or 'silent' ones can cause blockage (the ear probably uses wax to protect itself). Careful use of an Otoscope can help but I would only use ones that have 'Anti-Fall Off Eartips with real non-removable silicone tips.' Metal spoon and silicone tips have been pre-integrated into one piece with hot melt technology.' if you get one that doesn't have this, then the silicone tips can falloff and lodge themselves into your ear...

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t put anything inside your ear I suppose, but you should see a doctor

[Asker]

Hi! I’ve always been skeptical but the doc suggested the olive oil lol. So far I’ve been tilting my head and it’s gotten much better. Next time I’ll be more careful and use less.

[In_Trance]

Too much oil. Sleep on that side tonight

[Asker]

Hi, thanks! I tilted my head on that side and I got immediate relief. I’ll continue to sleep on that side. Thanks again 😊