On 2/8/2026 at 4:34 PM, Johnlkuk said:

Thanks.

Have you actually had it done here?

I read sometime ago syringing is not something they do back in the UK anymore, but I'm not even sure if that's true.

That's why I wonder if it's possible here.

I can only assume it's my ear shape causing this as its been a long standing problem for me.

It has been replaced in the UK by using a mini vacuum cleaner to suck out all the wax. I do not like or trust this procedure as I had this done for the first time many years ago at a Thai military hospital. The doctor caused some pain in my left ear and failed to clear it. So he stopped and had a nurse put 'docusate' liquid in my ear left to soak for 15 minutes. He then tried again and this time cleared my ear. I noticed a little blood when he cleaned the end of the mini vacuum cleaner. I said is that from my ear? And he replied yes. I didn't take it further but I believe he damaged my eardrum because before this was my better ear but after this procedure it became my worst ear for hearing and still is. He should not have tried to clear it without first softening the wax and I believe damaged my ear. In the UK they will still get a nurse to syringe your ear if you insist you don't want this procedure.

If you think about what happens if you accidentally touch your clothing or say the curtains when vacuuming and it locks on to it, the suction is so powerful that you have to release the end manually. Imagine that happening in your ear with something as delicate as your eardrum. It is also unbelievably noisy. I feel sorry for any kids having it done. I think eventually it will be banned for potentially damaging ears as it did mine.

I used to regularly get blocked ears after my flights from the UK to Thailand with the pressure on my ears followed by swimming for a week or two. I have now sorted this with an ear hygiene routine: a few days before flying I apply bicarbonate of soda ear drops 2 or 3 times, including once overnight, then, when l shower, I perform a DIY ear syringe with warm to hot water as I shower, delivered with the concentrated shower head jet setting. With my head tilted over, I hold the shower head above, a few inches away from my ear for a few minutes, adjusting the angle until l feel the water hitting my inner ear. After that I continue flushing with my head tilted the other way with my ear downwards for a few minutes so the water flows in and runs out. You will feel and hear when your ear is clean and clear again.

It works so well that I actually try to do it regularly now throughout the year. If in Thailand use docosate liquid instead of bicarbonate of soda. It works for me, and I haven't needed an ear syringe or vacuum for many years now.

44 minutes ago, Greenhill said:

I've had this done at Bangkok Pattaya hospital as well, a couple of years running. The Doctor checks the ears before doing the 'extraction' & of course there is a 'Doctors Fee'. I think we all know, this hospital ain't cheap but they have the best equipment, in a conducive environment. The procedure is painless & does the job. I'm pretty sure I paid about 3,600 bt almost exactly a year ago.

That’s almost as expensive as in Australia, where I have my ears vacuum suctioned every 6 to 12 months. The problem’s so common that there’s now an established chain, “Earworx”, of clinics who do nothing else apart from removing ear wax. They strongly advise against syringing, which can damage the ear drum, and recommend putting olive oil in the ear every month, which I don’t do, as it’s so messy.

5 minutes ago, SunsetT said:

It has been replaced in the UK by using a mini vacuum cleaner to suck out all the wax. I do not like or trust this procedure as I had this done for the first time many years ago at a Thai military hospital. The doctor caused some pain in my left ear and failed to clear it. So he stopped and had a nurse put 'docusate' liquid in my ear left to soak for 15 minutes. He then tried again and this time cleared my ear. I noticed a little blood when he cleaned the end of the mini vacuum cleaner. I said is that from my ear? And he replied yes. I didn't take it further but I believe he damaged my eardrum because before this was my better ear but after this procedure it became my worst ear for hearing and still is. He should not have tried to clear it without first softening the wax and I believe damaged my ear. In the UK they will still get a nurse to syringe your ear if you insist you don't want this procedure.

If you think about what happens if you accidentally touch your clothing or say the curtains when vacuuming and it locks on to it, the suction is so powerful that you have to release the end manually. Imagine that happening in your ear with something as delicate as your eardrum. It is also unbelievably noisy. I feel sorry for any kids having it done. I think eventually it will be banned for potentially damaging ears as it did mine.

I used to regularly get blocked ears after my flights from the UK to Thailand with the pressure on my ears followed by swimming for a week or two. I have now sorted this with an ear hygiene routine: a few days before flying I apply bicarbonate of soda ear drops 2 or 3 times, including once overnight, then, when l shower, I perform a DIY ear syringe with warm to hot water as I shower, delivered with the concentrated shower head jet setting. With my head tilted over, I hold the shower head above, a few inches away from my ear for a few minutes, adjusting the angle until l feel the water hitting my inner ear. After that I continue flushing with my head tilted the other way with my ear downwards for a few minutes so the water flows in and runs out. You will feel and hear when your ear is clean and clear again.

It works so well that I actually try to do it regularly now throughout the year. If in Thailand use docosate liquid instead of bicarbonate of soda. It works for me, and I haven't needed an ear syringe or vacuum for many years now.

Your post just crossed with mine. The clinic I go to stresses that you must soften the wax for 2 or 3 days before having it suctioned. On one visit, the nurse said she didn’t remove a bit of wax that was close to the eardrum, and booked me in for a second visit after it had been further softened. I think the process is way safer than it was when I had it done for the first time by a doctor, who injected water with great force through a huge syringe. Certainly instantly effective, but I think somewhat dangerous.

The traditional ear syringing in the UK was quite gentle using warm water for a prolonged period. I needed it often during my childhood and teens as I regularly got problems through swimming and board diving nearly every day. The only time I ever got a problem was the last time when I got an ear infection. I noticed that the equipment was plastic not stainless steel as before. So I suspected that it could not be sterilized as efficiently as the stainless steel equipment was before.

I use these drops after every shower, too. I've no understanding of the mechanics of why I could get my ears dry without the drops, but it works.
I purchased a pack of 3 a long time ago. Like maybe 2020 and I've still got one left. I continued my same drying technique, I just added the drops before starting the technique. (Dry with towel, drip 2-3 drops in one ear, twist tissue paper into a point & dry ear again, and then I very, very carefully use a cotton bud. Then I switch to the other ear).

Once had it in Philipines, went to doctor and he blew out my ear.

Incredible how much dirt was in it, after that I could hear again. It costed a whopping 7 euro.

Also happened after swimming. Earwax expanded by the water.

It blocked my hearing, happily not infected and having pain. But guess that is of acting fast.

19 hours ago, Greenhill said:

I've had this done at Bangkok Pattaya hospital as well, a couple of years running. The Doctor checks the ears before doing the 'extraction' & of course there is a 'Doctors Fee'. I think we all know, this hospital ain't cheap but they have the best equipment, in a conducive environment. The procedure is painless & does the job. I'm pretty sure I paid about 3,600 bt almost exactly a year ago.

Dont change your name.. GREEN! 3600bht..1000bht is the price

I used to have issues with both ears and got them syringed out fairly regularly over a 20 year period, usually by a nurse. Worked wonders.

Eventually, a Doctor noticed that I had an infection in both ears, Otomize spray was life changing for me, rarely have problems since.

But as OP says, Syringing for me worked a lot better than the modern suction method and I really miss the syringing.