This is why the dr says NOT to use Q-tips in your ears!!

[Lady Katherine]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=510802&in_page_id=1770

[MelissaM]

The article was okay but the picture could (should) have been left out.

[melissel]

"But the doctors and hearing specialists said it was wax and he would probably grow out of it.

Good heavens! What kind of doctors are these???

[GothicGyrl]

Why should the picture been left out? It was hardly gross. Anyway, they don't say not to use them, they say don't insert them fully in to the ear canal. I'm betting this boy did just that.

[freethinkermom]

Considering the experiences we have had with ds6 and his ears, the fact that the doctors did not catch this boy's problem does not surprise me.

We spent a year going back and forth when ds6 was 2-3yo with the docs telling us he was nearly deaf and needed surgery and us asking them for a better cleaning to rule out wax. The two docs were sure it was NOT wax, even though both dh and his father have/had a severe wax problem that effects their hearing when not kept under control. We did not like the local docs and were trying to get into to see a doc two hours away, all the while teaching ds ASL (dh and I were both already conversational and other family members are fluent). He could speak, but sometimes could not hear at all. Then one day massive amounts of wax started to run out of his ears on its own. I mean massive...like spoonfuls. We took him to the pediatrician who did a basic cleaning, then insisted on another hearing test. His hearing was 100%. It was wax all along. Then last summer, he was complaining about not being able to hear in one ear. The first pediatrician said he needed testing again, there was probably hearing problems, etc. We got a new ped becasue the other one moved. This one looked in his ear and found a lego bionicle piece (covered in a ton of wax)! Getting it out was another saga, but his hearing was fine as soon as it was out.

[Mrs Mungo]

My best friend's dad was a pediatrician (he passed away last year) and loved to tel the story of removing a rehydrated, decomposing raisin from the ear of a kid who couldn't hear out of one ear.

[GothicGyrl]

Peas. That's what my brother used to put in his ears and up his nose because he learned how to "blow" them out.

As for me, i am truly going deaf. I pass every single hearing test they give me, but I still can't hear. And I KNOW I never stuck anything other than my fingers (hehe) in my ears.

[melissel]

Considering the experiences we have had with ds6 and his ears, the fact that the doctors did not catch this boy's problem does not surprise me.

We spent a year going back and forth when ds6 was 2-3yo with the docs telling us he was nearly deaf and needed surgery and us asking them for a better cleaning to rule out wax. The two docs were sure it was NOT wax, even though both dh and his father have/had a severe wax problem that effects their hearing when not kept under control. We did not like the local docs and were trying to get into to see a doc two hours away, all the while teaching ds ASL (dh and I were both already conversational and other family members are fluent). He could speak, but sometimes could not hear at all. Then one day massive amounts of wax started to run out of his ears on its own. I mean massive...like spoonfuls. We took him to the pediatrician who did a basic cleaning, then insisted on another hearing test. His hearing was 100%. It was wax all along. Then last summer, he was complaining about not being able to hear in one ear. The first pediatrician said he needed testing again, there was probably hearing problems, etc. We got a new ped becasue the other one moved. This one looked in his ear and found a lego bionicle piece (covered in a ton of wax)! Getting it out was another saga, but his hearing was fine as soon as it was out.

I don't think there's a smiley in existence that provides a sufficient response for this. How very, very disturbing. Your poor little guy!

My best friend's dad was a pediatrician (he passed away last year) and loved to tel the story of removing a rehydrated, decomposing raisin from the ear of a kid who couldn't hear out of one ear.

You know, this is the kind of thing I envision in my future with my DD2, LOL!

[Cadam]

if the dr's thought wax was blocking his hearing why didn't they thoroughly clean out his ears?! That just doesn't make sense.

[OnTheBrink]

They must use the cheap swabs. I can't get the cotton off an actual Q-Tipp to save my life. LOL

[Mom2GirlsTX]

Then one day massive amounts of wax started to run out of his ears on its own. I mean massive...like spoonfuls. We took him to the pediatrician who did a basic cleaning, then insisted on another hearing test. His hearing was 100%. It was wax all along.


That is so sad that this was not caught by the doctors. I'm so proud of you for being his advocate...kuddos to you guys:)

[theodwyn]

I agree.
At the pediatrician's where I work we frequently use a water pic to clean out kids' ears. One kid recently who was having some trouble hearing improved dramatically after we washed out his ear.
I'm astounded the doctors didn't try something more.
Wendy

[Sandy in Indy]

I've had wax problems all my life and have had my ears washed numerous times. Finally, a doc told me to put hydrogen peroxide in them about once a month. Now I "bubble" them for about 10 minutes and let the fluid out. I haven't had to have them washed since I started this.

It's amazing to me that drs could miss massive wax that's been described in this thread...not to mention the end of a cotton swab. Astounding!