Fieldcraft Really weird question about, well.....earwax

lockedandloaded

lockedandloaded

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 17, 2004
527
189
NY
#1
This one is gonna seem far out. But anytime I shoot when the weather is hot and humid outside, and I wear my ear protection, later in the day my ears feel like they are full of....crap? Dont know how to post this one without sounding a little off kilter. I practice very high standards of personal hygine, and use Q-tips every morning after I shower, thats not the issue here.

But after a day of shooting while wearing my Peltor ear protection, my ears seem to have a build up in them? Anybody?
 
#4
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: thumper49802</div><div class="ubbcode-body">dont worry its just your brains leaking out your ears.

lol..not sure what it is man, sounds like its annoying. </div></div>

No...no. The brains have long since ceased to leak. The first thing to go, you understand...

Its more like a wax build-up from the sealed enviornment inside the muffs? Its not so bad like having that equilibrium feeling from flying in a plane. Just a really annoying plug in the ear canal. I dunno, just figured I'd ask.

 
#5
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

You ever try getting them candled? Go to some hippy place and check it out. Lots of people think it's a load of shit, I know. It's hippy stuff, so you can understand skepticism there.

But I used to get massages whenever I'd have a fuck up somewhere musculoskeletal wise and the therapist did ear candling too. It actually leaves your ears TOO dry, like you were using them to work with cement. You put a little essential oil in there and it feels clean as hell.

Figured it would be worth throwing out there.
 
#6
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

I was thinking about the candles also as I was reading down through the posts.

It's a cloth that is rolled into a 9-12" long 3/4" dia cone/tube coated in beeswax or parafin wax, or both.

You need help to do it most of the time.
You will need...
Ear Candle, Paper plate, sissors, bowl of water, fire.

Cut an "x" in the center of the plate, stick the candle through it. The plate is protection in case anything falls off.
Lay down so that your ear is up.
Insert the pointed end of the candle into your ear. not to far just enough to get a good seal.
Light that bad boy on fire at the top.
As it burns down the assistant cuts off the burnt portion above the flame dropping it into the bowl of water.
Once it is COMFORTABLY within a few inches of your head the assistant can cut it below the flame.
Pull it out and cut it open to see what you got. ICK
sick.gif
!
The warm air creates a vacum and draws out the ear wax.
NO SHIT it works, My wife sells them at her shop, I use them a couple times a year, we use them on the kids. They cost about $3 a piece.

This is old medicine, dosen't have anything to do with hippies, although I suppose it is popular with them.
 
#7
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

I've heard about the candles before, and even see it advertised on the billboards of a few manicure shops. Maybe I will give it a look see. Sounds like it pulls the mung out from deep down in, the stuff that q-tips cant reach.
 
#8
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Ear candles are pure bullshit. They do not work. The wax and fungus that appears to be coming out of your ears is from the candle itself. No way that much wax could be in your ear canal or it would be flush with the outer year.

Go find an otologist in your area and have a thorough ear exam. Your insurance will pay for it. Good to have a hearing baseline as an adult anyway.

You got no business digging in your ears. Wax is to be removed by a release fluid and flushing. It can be done at your general practitioner's office if you don't go to a specialist.

Most likely what you are experiencing is a change in pressure from with hearing protection versus not wearing it.
 
#11
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Arch Stanton</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It should be mentioned that earwax also makes a nice protectant for your lips should you be shooting in the sun. One less thing you have to pack in your get out of town bag when all the zombies mass and attack. </div></div>


Yea, but Burt's Bees with their subtle hint of eucalyptus is quite refreshing on the lips.
The soothing properties make zombie slaying easier...stress-free
cool.gif
 
#12
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

I wonder how many people will stick their finger in their ear and rub in on their lips after reading your post. I can picture it now. LOL.

 
#17
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

LOL @ zombie posts
laugh.gif



Another thing I just remembered. This weird pressure feeling only happens after I wear just the Peltors. It doesnt seem to be an issue if I wear double protection of both ear plugs AND the earmuffs at the same time. I usually only go that extreme when on the line with many other shooters or at a full-auto range shoot.



And I also just thunked about something else. It only happens when its really hot and muggy out. Not when its cold. So I have a theory that possibly the earmuffs are forming a really airtight seal from the perspiration around my ears. And every time I take them off, its causing some sort of vacuum to happen, thereby sucking my brains out through the ears? Just a hypothesis at this point. Carry on.
 
#18
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lockedandloaded</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LOL @ zombie posts
laugh.gif


And I also just thunked about something else. It only happens when its really hot and muggy out. Not when its cold. So I have a theory that possibly the earmuffs are forming a really airtight seal from the perspiration around my ears. And every time I take them off, its causing some sort of vacuum to happen, thereby sucking my brains out through the ears? Just a hypothesis at this point. Carry on. </div></div>

Well, if the peltors are sucking your brains out, you might be looking at cerebrospinal fluid. If it's yellow, you might have meningitis, or else somebody on the line peed in your peltors.
smile.gif
 
#19
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

i've had many ear problems caused by wakeboarding (kinda like waterskiing...) and i know exactly what u are talking about. i don't know what is causing it in your case, but the solution is to simply pop your ears like you would in a plane....

also, quit digging in your ears! clean the outer ear and as far into the canal as u can stick your thumb. the wax is there for a reason. as long as no one can see it, there is no reason to remove it....
 
#20
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Candles are BS. you need to get an earloop, a trusted woman if there is such a thing and a headlamp , Q tips are synonomous with pushing wax deep into the ear canal, add sweat wax expands. The feeling and sound resembles that of having water in your ear. Not good. Ear infection immenant, worst feeling in the world short of a chick with big teeth.
 
#22
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I flush with hydrogen peroxide and water. Anybody else do this?</div></div>


.......i knew you douched............
 
#23
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I flush with hydrogen peroxide and water. Anybody else do this? </div></div>

Yeah everyone once in a while my bullshit level gets so high I gotta clear out the topoff.
 
#24
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I flush with hydrogen peroxide and water. Anybody else do this?</div></div>


.......i knew you douched............ </div></div>

you know, it is people like Boltripper that have driven all the famous names from this site.

My 12 yr old daughter and Great-Grandmother just saw this over my shoulder. I had to first had to explain what douche was and then that I didn't do that. Just some guy's attempt at vulgar humor.

Chances are that my employer's proxy server picked up that word and I will no longer be allowed to hang out here again. I really do not want to be forced to do my actual work.
 
#26
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Gentle FLUSH with a 50/50 solution of peroxide and rubbing alcahol, once or twice a month. Done over the tub with a 200ml syringe or suction bulb...You may or may not want to see the things that will wash out.

GENTLE is the key word, if you need to grit your teeth back off a bit. This maintanance is contra-indicated for those who have suffered any ear drum injury...
 
#27
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I flush with hydrogen peroxide and water. Anybody else do this?</div></div>


.......i knew you douched............ </div></div>

you know, it is people like Boltripper that have driven all the famous names from this site.

My 12 yr old daughter and Great-Grandmother just saw this over my shoulder. I had to first had to explain what douche was and then that I didn't do that. Just some guy's attempt at vulgar humor.

Chances are that my employer's proxy server picked up that word and I will no longer be allowed to hang out here again. I really do not want to be forced to do my actual work. </div></div>

well if that isn't hypocrisy
 
#28
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Weda'</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BOLTRIPPER</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kick-Ass</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I flush with hydrogen peroxide and water. Anybody else do this?</div></div>


.......i knew you douched............ </div></div>

you know, it is people like Boltripper that have driven all the famous names from this site.

My 12 yr old daughter and Great-Grandmother just saw this over my shoulder. I had to first had to explain what douche was and then that I didn't do that. Just some guy's attempt at vulgar humor.

Chances are that my employer's proxy server picked up that word and I will no longer be allowed to hang out here again. I really do not want to be forced to do my actual work. </div></div>

well if that isn't hypocrisy
</div></div>

that is an Ironic Joke you stupid motherfucker
 
#30
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Two-Dogs</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gentle FLUSH with a 50/50 solution of peroxide and rubbing alcahol, once or twice a month. Done over the tub with a 200ml syringe or suction bulb...You may or may not want to see the things that will wash out.

GENTLE is the key word, if you need to grit your teeth back off a bit. This maintanance is contra-indicated for those who have suffered any ear drum injury... </div></div>

2 words... <span style="font-weight: bold">SPELL CHECK</span>
 
#31
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Weda'</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Point proven exceptionally well. Great job! Show that to your 12 yr old daughter and Great-Grandmother.

Stellar to say the least. </div></div>

I have my own little Paparazzi.

Watch the forums closely today. I'll be making other posts for you to follow me into!
 
#35
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

To return to the topic.... If you are in a high noise or dusty environment your eary WILL produce more wax. This was most evident when I was doing alot of MotoX photography... loads of dust and continuous noise. So environmental conditions will affect wax productionm.

If you double plug (esp with foam plugs) some wax will be removed on the plug and they should also shield your ear canal from the high humidity in the ear muff (if humidity is is actually a factor).
 
#36
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Ok. My turn, This might help. I have very small ear canals and the don't clean out as easy as the guys that have funnels for ears and drain pipes for canals, They can use a backhoe for an instrument in cleaning the good old ear. What works for me and many doctors use that use this method, is going to a pharmacy and ask for a ear wax dissolver ( over the counter, no perscription required ). Lay on your side, one ear to the couch and the ear to be treated up. Have an assistant drop about two or three drops or until the liquid fills the ear canal. Sometimes working the ear around by pulling ear lobe, or just massaging the ear firmly will let the canal fill up. You will feal a cold sensation and hear alot of bubbles in that ear. No worries it's just the earwax dissolving. After about 10-15 minutes and the bubbles really slow down or stop, put a tissue over that ear to keep the stuff in your ear until you make it to a sink in the bathroom. Fill up sink with aproximately 3" of warm, not hot and not cold, water. Add a couple of splashes of hydrogen peroxide to keep the germies at bay in your ear and use a bulb seringe ( made for flushing ears.) ( Also should be at pharmacy) Tilt your head, fill suringe, insert tip into ear canal ( Leave a little distance from fully inserting suringe into ear, water being squirted into ear and debri you blow out has to get by suringe.)squirt that warmed water into the canal and the hardened chunks of ear wax will come out and you will notice an increase in your hearing ability and you will no longer have the excuse of telling your wife you can't hear her. Sometimes this takes repeated attemps with the sirenge but don't give up to easy. If this doesn't clean your junk in the ear then you need to see just a decent doctor, if he doesn't help you, then go find a Dr. that specializes in the EAR. Hope this helps.P.S. If you feal pain , stop !! alittle dicomfort, tollerable. And please don't act like Tim from Home Improvement and use draino and 120 psi of air to clean out your ears.......That will be $95.00...HAHAHAHAH
 
#37
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Ok. My turn, This might help. I have very small ear canals and the don't clean out as easy as the guys that have funnels for ears and drain pipes for canals, They can use a backhoe for an instrument in cleaning the good old ear. What works for me and many doctors use that use this method, is going to a pharmacy and ask for a ear wax dissolver ( over the counter, no perscription required ). Lay on your side, one ear to the couch and the ear to be treated up. Have an assistant drop about two or three drops or until the liquid fills the ear canal. Sometimes working the ear around by pulling ear lobe, or just massaging the ear firmly will let the canal fill up. You will feal a cold sensation and hear alot of bubbles in that ear. No worries it's just the earwax dissolving. After about 10-15 minutes and the bubbles really slow down or stop, put a tissue over that ear to keep the stuff in your ear until you make it to a sink in the bathroom. Fill up sink with aproximately 3" of warm, not hot and not cold, water. Add a couple of splashes of hydrogen peroxide to keep the germies at bay in your ear and use a bulb seringe ( made for flushing ears.) ( Also should be at pharmacy) Tilt your head, fill suringe, insert tip into ear canal ( Leave a little distance from fully inserting suringe into ear, water being squirted into ear and debri you blow out has to get by suringe.)squirt that warmed water into the canal and the hardened chunks of ear wax will come out and you will notice an increase in your hearing ability and you will no longer have the excuse of telling your wife you can't hear her. Sometimes this takes repeated attemps with the sirenge but don't give up to easy. If this doesn't clean your junk in the ear then you need to see just a decent doctor, if he doesn't help you, then go find a Dr. that specializes in the EAR. Hope this helps.P.S. If you feal pain , stop !! alittle dicomfort, tollerable. And please don't act like Tim from Home Improvement and use draino and 120 psi of air to clean out your ears.......That will be $95.00...HAHAHAHAH
 
#38
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Guys,
Be VERY CAREFULL I got an infection in my middle ear, which exploded out through my eardrum, perforating it.
Worst pain of my life!
Then had to have my ear vacuumed. More REAL pain.
Trust me guys, you dont need this pain!

The ear drum is very delicate, be very carefull
I now have tinnitus in my left ear, and it's NOT from shooting too much. Bugger!

As they say in medical school, don't put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow.

To address the original issue of this thread, I suspect that it is just a build up of sweat in your ear canal. What are you using when you double plug? If it's EAR plugs, then I suspect that they are absorbing the sweat.
I sometimes get this when I have my custom made silicon plugs in. They don't absorb the sweat as the EAR's do.

Hope this helps.

N
 
#39
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Paduan Learner is right. Use caution when doing this. I'f you are the type of person that is accident prone, or is told to use a 1/2" wrench to loosen something and you grab a 36" pipe wrench with a cheater pipe attached to it....Go see a professional about your ear to get cleaned out if you need it...I have to do this about every two months and this has been a normal thing in my life for about 30+ years by many doctors all over this earth as well as my nurse (which is also my wife.) So I've been alittle desensitized to this procedure...Sorry
 
#40
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lockedandloaded</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LOL @ zombie posts
laugh.gif



Another thing I just remembered. This weird pressure feeling only happens after I wear just the Peltors. </div></div>

I get it too, from my Sordins. After a few hours, my ears start to hurt. Don't know what the explanation is.
 
#41
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

Paduan Learner, u nailed it!
i've unfortunately had the pleasure of rupturing the tympanic membrane of each ear (4 times in the left 5 times on the right.) water seems to be an unforgiving bastard! like Paduan said, that pain ain't no joke! i cried like a little bitch for two straight days on the first two occasions.... the rest of the time, i went and got some meds right away!
 
#42
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Paduan Learner</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Guys,
Be VERY CAREFULL I got an infection in my middle ear, which exploded out through my eardrum, perforating it.
Worst pain of my life!
Then had to have my ear vacuumed. More REAL pain.
Trust me guys, you dont need this pain!

The ear drum is very delicate, be very carefull
I now have tinnitus in my left ear, and it's NOT from shooting too much. Bugger!

N </div></div>

I have a little experience with ear infections. Over 100 as a kid, every-other week to the doctor to have my eardrums lanced and drained until I discovered I could lay my head on a heating pad and it would cause the eardrum to rupture and drain and the pain would go away. The infection would alternate from one ear to the other. Sometime around age 16 the infections stopped. My eustachian tubes are scarred shut and I have a hard time equalizing pressure in my ears. I can't ever remember not having tinnitus.

A couple years ago I had an infection that just wouldn't go away. Asked the doc to just lance and drain the ear. Was told they don't do that anymore and was sent to an ENT specialist. That son-of-a-bitch lanced my ear and tried to suck my right eyeball out of my left ear. The worst sensation I have ever had, it took over an hour to regain my equilibrium so I could walk out of the office. That is one thing that will NEVER happen again.

Take care of your hearing and be careful with your ears.

 
#43
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: juicebox</div><div class="ubbcode-body">take a hot shower, then clean with a Q-tip </div></div>
Don't do that.
Sticking things in your ear just pushes wax deeper in to your ear.
Sure, it will remove some of the superficial wax but it WILL also cause ear wax impaction and blockage.
The box Q-tips come in even say NOT to put them in your ear for this reason.
Q-Tips are the leading cause of visits to ENT Doctors.

If you go in to a clinic to get your ears cleaned they will more than likely use hydrogen peroxide and water.
You can save yourself the trip by just lying on your side and adding a few drops of hydrogen peroxide, let it sit for a couple of minutes and then flushing with water.
Just about the only time that this probably won't be done is if you have a perforated ear drum.


Using ear plugs can push wax deeper in to the ear. I can't see how ear muffs would cause an issue.
 
#44
Re: Really weird question about, well.....earwax

a) Don't put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow. every doctor and diver will tell you that. whatever you 'put in' will obviously also 'push in'. but that's been commented on already above.

b) ear candles are bs and can be dangerous. buy one, light it, put it above some dust (or better something that lights/puts up a flame/cracks...) and check whether it does something. it does not. we tried. professor at the university even demonstrates it with some better material (name: oberhummer, location: vienna/austria)

what you can do - hot wax can drop into your ear. painful. but even more painful/dangerous if it reaches back to your eardrum.
 
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