Good News stories

[french frank]

The good news is that I should be back to normal next week.

Good luck! I was keeping my fingers crossed that it was just wax, as otherwise it might have meant I was going deaf in one ear Notb only hard of hearing, but what I could hear sounding very distorted.

[Edgy 2]

I had my ears syringed about 30 years ago, no problems since or so I thought.
About a month ago I suddenly went completely deaf in my right ear, went to see the nurse at my GP's surgery (as Petrushka says I don't think GPs themselves bother with this kind of stuff nowadays) and she said BOTH ears were completely blocked with wax and that treatment is no longer available on the NHS and I would have to go private.
I found a local ex NHS audiologist's clinic and paid £55 to have microsuction done on both ears, no need for softening the wax with drops, the right one was so bad he also had to syringe it, he couldn't believe I'd been able to hear anything at all for years.
I can't tell you how good my hearing is now, it's amazing, the best £55 I've ever spent (some clinics wanted £75 PER EAR !!!! )

[french frank]

I've had mine done before and just trotted along to the surgery unsuspectingly to book an appointment when the Gorgon at the Gate said the NHS no longer funded the service and I'd have to go private (quoted £40 for one ear, £60 for two). On enquiry they issued me with a leaflet which included the names of some private services including, luckily, a nurse from my own practice who normally does home visits though not currently. It was she who said the practice still did irrigation for over 75s free, and she was the one who 'did' me today.

I think Specsavers offer microsuction and a local optician on our high street does, quoting £95!

I had my ears syringed about 30 years ago, no problems since or so I thought.
About a month ago I suddenly went completely deaf in my right ear, went to see the nurse at my GP's surgery (as Petrushka says I don't think GPs themselves bother with this kind of stuff nowadays) and she said BOTH ears were completely blocked with wax and that treatment is no longer available on the NHS and I would have to go private.
I found a local ex NHS audiologist's clinic and paid £55 to have microsuction done on both ears, no need for softening the wax with drops, the right one was so bad he also had to syringe it, he couldn't believe I'd been able to hear anything at all for years.
I can't tell you how good my hearing is now, it's amazing, the best £55 I've ever spent (some clinics wanted £75 PER EAR !!!! )

[Petrushka]

I had my ears syringed about 30 years ago, no problems since or so I thought.
About a month ago I suddenly went completely deaf in my right ear, went to see the nurse at my GP's surgery (as Petrushka says I don't think GPs themselves bother with this kind of stuff nowadays) and she said BOTH ears were completely blocked with wax and that treatment is no longer available on the NHS and I would have to go private.
I found a local ex NHS audiologist's clinic and paid £55 to have microsuction done on both ears, no need for softening the wax with drops, the right one was so bad he also had to syringe it, he couldn't believe I'd been able to hear anything at all for years.
I can't tell you how good my hearing is now, it's amazing, the best £55 I've ever spent (some clinics wanted £75 PER EAR !!!! )

The audiologist I use said that they have to very careful removing hardened wax by microsuction because it will be attached to the eardrum and can pull away the skin. I'm amazed that after 30 years yours came away at all without softening. The unfortunate thing for me is that once I get trouble I have the distortion mentioned by FF and music is ruled out for some time.

[Joseph K]

The audiologist I use said that they have to very careful removing hardened wax by microsuction because it will be attached to the eardrum and can pull away the skin.

... which is why it's necessary (or very advisable at any rate) to use ear drops for a couple of weeks prior to getting the microsuction done.

I had microsuction in early October 2019 and haven't had problems since (possibly helped by ceasing going to raves and everything that entails!)

[Old Grumpy]

In the absence of NHS provision this:https://www.thirskhearing.co.uk/ear-wax-removal/ could be what you need!

You're welcome

[french frank]

In the absence of NHS provision this:https://www.thirskhearing.co.uk/ear-wax-removal/ could be what you need!

You're welcome

I don't think we'll all qualify for home visits

[Edgy 2]

The audiologist I use said that they have to very careful removing hardened wax by microsuction because it will be attached to the eardrum and can pull away the skin. I'm amazed that after 30 years yours came away at all without softening. The unfortunate thing for me is that once I get trouble I have the distortion mentioned by FF and music is ruled out for some time.

... which is why it's necessary (or very advisable at any rate) to use ear drops for a couple of weeks prior to getting the microsuction done.

I had microsuction in early October 2019 and haven't had problems since (possibly helped by ceasing going to raves and everything that entails!)

When I made the appointment he said absolutely no need for ear drops.
Tbf he was quite concerned at the state of my right ear, had to resort to a bit of digging and scraping
Some of the wax had attached to skin so there was a bit of soreness and a little bleeding but nothing major.
I'd assumed my hearing was deteriorating due to age now it's better than it's ever been

[Petrushka]

When I made the appointment he said absolutely no need for ear drops.
Tbf he was quite concerned at the state of my right ear, had to resort to a bit of digging and scraping
Some of the wax had attached to skin so there was a bit of soreness and a little bleeding but nothing major.
I'd assumed my hearing was deteriorating due to age now it's better than it's ever been

To be honest, I find that a bit on the worrying side. My audiologist has been insistent that under no circumstances should there be any risk of damage to the eardrum. When he was carrying out the initial microsuction earlier this week the significant 'pull' on my eardrum caused some sharp pain and he immediately stopped.

[Edgy 2]

Wow, maybe that's why mine was so cheap compared to some of the others.
Seriously he assured me it wasn't attached to the actual eardrum.
If I don't have to have it done for another 30 years I'll take that

[vinteuil]

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-57848290

... perhaps pertick'ly relevant for our bicycling Serial_Apollo?


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[Serial_Apologist]

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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-57848290

... perhaps pertick'ly relevant for our bicycling Serial_Apollo?


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Wonderful news! also for all those workers north of the Thames who have to take long diversions in commuting from the Barnes side. However one learned that the closure had come after cracks believed to have been caused or exacerbated by last summer's heatwave were discovered - and we have hot weather coming this weekend and early next week...

[french frank]

Have just harvested 6 ripe blueberries off one of my two blueberry bushes, which I shall have for breakfast. The three on the other bush are clearly not going to ripen, and all its leaves have fallen off for some reason. Still, mustn't be greedy And that's it for this year - hope for more fecundity next year.

[oddoneout]

It's good to read of someone finding quiet contentment after difficulties I think.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/jul/19/a-new-start-after-60-i-handed-in-my-notice-and-opened-my-dream-bookshop

I find such stories more uplifting than the "big success after adversity" type, perhaps because they seem more achievable and more in line with what I look for in my life.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Have just harvested 6 ripe blueberries off one of my two blueberry bushes, which I shall have for breakfast. The three on the other bush are clearly not going to ripen, and all its leaves have fallen off for some reason. Still, mustn't be greedy And that's it for this year - hope for more fecundity next year.

We thought there were no greengages on our 15 foot high tree. Crops have been sparse or non-existent every year - yes we are going to plant a very small growing pollinator a.s.a.p. (I've only recently been admitted to conversations about such things - I have to suffer the appellation of plant murderer. In reality I am just an appropriate pruner - plants and shrubs I've pruned hard do come back.

In something of a development I took part in the first pruning exercise the Greengage has experienced in the 4 or 5 years since it was planted. And lo! We found TWO Greengages. I hope they do ripen (a depressing thought they might not....) and it now occurs to me I must rig up an envelope of protective mesh on the branch (easy enough, they are close together) to keep birds and insects at bay!