Earwax (possibly disgusting)

[applepie]

err how much earwax is normal?

is it just me or do I seem to produce an rather large amount of ear wax?

does cleaning it regularly actually have the opposite effect? i.e the body produces more ear wax to compensate?

I also use alot of IEM (in-ear-monitor) does this contribute?

I've removed solid cruds of stuff, which may be affecting my hearing slightly as one ear is definitely more sensitive than the other by a far margin.

[David Pye]

Varies between people, ethnicities and diet affects it too.

I found the best thing to do is to get it synringed by the GP every year (or when it starts bothering me).

They normally make you use bicarbonate of soda ear drops for a week or so beforehand, which make me very deaf and bad tempered. But the sensation when it finally clears is so worth it!

David

[Janos]

Something an ENT doctor once said to me is never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow!

I had a small bit of earwax which pushed against my eardrum. V. painfull. In the end I was advised to get some acidic drops to put in your ear that soften it up and dissolved it.

Janos

[milldog]

Originally Posted by Janos

Something an ENT doctor once said to me is never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow!
Janos

soooo you nick name is Dumbo i suppose

well if you can get your elbow in

[purple vonny]

Originally Posted by applepie

err how much earwax is normal?

It varies

is it just me or do I seem to produce an rather large amount of ear wax?

Hard to say without looking in your lug
does cleaning it regularly actually have the opposite effect? i.e the body produces more ear wax to compensate?

No. Just clean the bit of the ear outside the ear hole rather than sticking anything in your ear which can compact it.

I also use alot of IEM (in-ear-monitor) does this contribute?

In theory it could prevent wax from working its way out of your ear naturally if you have one in most of the time

I've removed solid cruds of stuff, which may be affecting my hearing slightly as one ear is definitely more sensitive than the other by a far margin.

It should come out naturally without you having to remove it.
You can put drops in from the chemist that soften the wax and help it come out on its own. Frequent diving and showering can also help to soften it so that it comes out on its own. Another good reason to dive.

A visit to the GP or practice nurse, who can look in your ear with an otoscope (torch thingy) should clarify whether you have any damage causing sensitivity on the one ear. They will also tell you whether the wax is impacted and needs syringing.