I finally got around to taking my 870 that I bought last month. I used those cheap orange earplugs with the blue string that you can buy at the range. We fired off a bunch of buckshot, birdshot, and a few dozen slugs (which were loud). After we got done I took the plugs out and noticed that my left ear feels like it's still plugged. I didn't notice anything too loud when shooting so I didn't correct the plugs. I thought it would go away after I wake up. It's been about 8 hours since the range and the left ear still feels like it's got cotton in it. Should I worry? Or will it go away eventually? I feel really dumb. :banghead:
Went to an indoor range last nite...should I worry?
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Glockman17366
Member
This will sound strange...but it might be an ear wax build up. I'll get that occasionally when I wear ear plugs. If you can, drop by your local pharmacy and buy an ear flushing kit.
slabuda
Member
Yep ear wax build up. The plugs pushed and compacted it near the drum. I am in the Air Force and work the flight line. Wear plugs all the time. This happens to me in the desert when there is lots of sand and exrta wax build up.
Like said above get an ear flushing kit which contains peroxide and glycerin mix as the solution. I have used straight hydrogen peroxide in a pinch, works quicker but it does sting ever so slightly.
Go to the shower or bath with hot water and let it fill your ear canal to help soften it up. Drain it and pull down on your ear lobes to help massage and loosen it up. Lay on your side with a towel under your head and drop in the solution or a cap full of peroxide and let it bubble away (it will feel a bit weird and may sting ever so slightly if you use pure peroxide). Tip your ear over some paper towel to see how much/what comes out.
It may take a while, I went through two bottles once of the ear flush stuff and what came out was amazing.
What ever you do dont use a Q-Tip it will only push it deeper!!!!
Like said above get an ear flushing kit which contains peroxide and glycerin mix as the solution. I have used straight hydrogen peroxide in a pinch, works quicker but it does sting ever so slightly.
Go to the shower or bath with hot water and let it fill your ear canal to help soften it up. Drain it and pull down on your ear lobes to help massage and loosen it up. Lay on your side with a towel under your head and drop in the solution or a cap full of peroxide and let it bubble away (it will feel a bit weird and may sting ever so slightly if you use pure peroxide). Tip your ear over some paper towel to see how much/what comes out.
It may take a while, I went through two bottles once of the ear flush stuff and what came out was amazing.
What ever you do dont use a Q-Tip it will only push it deeper!!!!
oneounceload
member
Doc used a water pik on my ears once to get waaaaay down there - it was on the LOWEST setting and the water was as hot as I could stand it....(NOT saying you should do this) - but after using plugs for years, he got some nasty large chunks of wax out....
Plugs work best when FULLY inserted into the ear canal.
Personally, if I'm shooting indoors, I wear plugs AND over the ear muffs to minimize damage
Plugs work best when FULLY inserted into the ear canal.
Personally, if I'm shooting indoors, I wear plugs AND over the ear muffs to minimize damage
Hot shower followed by warm olive oil works well to dissolve ear wax also. Don't stick anything in the ear.
Owen
Moderator Emeritus
if you're shooting indoors, you should be wearing double protection...plugs AND muffs.
and yeah, get one of those ear flushing kits, or do what hso said...
and yeah, get one of those ear flushing kits, or do what hso said...
oneounceload
member
I have ALWAYS used Q-tips AGAINST the doc's advice (and have had wax issues to show for it) - his saying was simple - never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow
DeadLiver
Member
I concur....wax buildup. Your doctor also has a tool he can use to pull that junk out, I see my doctor so often that about once a year I'll just ask him to scrape the crud outta my ears, and my hearing always seems better afterward. A word of advice though....don't go swimming (especially diving) until you've gotten that out. I once had an ear plugged with wax and tried to go scuba diving, I couldn't equalize the pressure in my ears and at about 20 feet deep it was very painful. Because the wax had been forced farther into my ear from the water pressure, it continued to hurt for several hours after too.
CoRoMo
Member
Anyone here ever try those ear candles? I've been using them since I was young.
They do work, but I have no idea how.
They do work, but I have no idea how.
jakemccoy
Member
I use Q-tips after every shower. If I didn't use Q-tips, then I would get wax build up because I sweat everywhere constantly. I have years of experience of knowing exactly how far inside I can go. My hearing is great. My ears are wax-free. I never get ear aches, which I used to get quite a lot as a kid before using Q-tips.
However, I wouldn't recommend anybody else use Q-tips because (1) you probably have so much wax in your ears that the Q-tip will push it down further, (2) you don't know how far down you can go and (3) you don't know how to maneuver the Q-tip properly.
However, I wouldn't recommend anybody else use Q-tips because (1) you probably have so much wax in your ears that the Q-tip will push it down further, (2) you don't know how far down you can go and (3) you don't know how to maneuver the Q-tip properly.
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AZAviator
Member
When I was a kid my mom would make this concoction of olive oil and crushed garlic. She would let it sit for about 24 hours in a warm room to let it soak. Then she would heat the oil up and drip a little bit down my ear with an eyedropper. This was probably the strangest and most irritating thing I experienced as a kid but I remember how well it worked - the ear block or ache went away almost immidiately. Obviously you dont want pieces of the garlic in your ear so strain through a clothe or whatever.
oneounceload
member
Tried them once, didn't seem to do much for me.
Zach S
Member
+1. I used this one: http://www.ear-mart.com/wax_removal_reg.asp Bought locally at CVS.
It took a few applications to get my hearing back to normal, but it got a lot of gunk out every time. I was completely deaf in my right ear - I didnt know my ears could hold so much wax...
Your family doctor should be able irrigate your ears if you aren't comfortable putting drops in yours. Probably just cost you your co-pay, gas, and time.
Once they're cleaned, you'll be amazed at how well you can hear.
I currently wear earplugs for almost 60 hours a week. May not be a bad idea for me to do it again, its been over a year since I did it last.
Phatty
Member
Me too. And like you, I've had years and years of experience knowing how to do it safely and properly.
ohgrady
Member
Don't most of the foam earplugs have a higher decibel rating of hearing protection than most ear muffs?
The protection depends on:
1. The specific plug or muff ---Check the rating on each product.
2. How it's worn --- Many folks do not use proper technique for using plugs.
3. How it fits --- Ear canals vary and some do not accommdate all types of plugs. Glasses and hair can interfere with proper fit for muffs thus reducing protection.
1. The specific plug or muff ---Check the rating on each product.
2. How it's worn --- Many folks do not use proper technique for using plugs.
3. How it fits --- Ear canals vary and some do not accommdate all types of plugs. Glasses and hair can interfere with proper fit for muffs thus reducing protection.
Buck Nekkid
Member
I have a custom pair of ear plugs that I had made at a big shoot one year. They work very well and are molded to the unique contours of my ear canal. Given that, I still use muffs over these when I shoot indoors.
I once had a fungus in my inner ear canal. The doctor used a warm solution of some chemicals and flushed them out. When I stood up I fell right over! The warm solution affected my equilibrium! After a couple of minutes all was well, but remember that your sense of balance is located in your inner ears!
I once had a fungus in my inner ear canal. The doctor used a warm solution of some chemicals and flushed them out. When I stood up I fell right over! The warm solution affected my equilibrium! After a couple of minutes all was well, but remember that your sense of balance is located in your inner ears!
brassdog
Member
Go see an ENT specialist. Most general doctor can clean out your ears for you but they can also refer you to the ENT.
One, they can clean your ears and make certain that your don't have any other issues.
Two, most ENT offices keep licensed audiologists on staff who can make you a set of custom earplugs that won't push more earwax back into your earcanal. The costs for custom plugs are pretty minimal compared to the actual costs of the hearing aids you'll need if you don't seriously protect your hearing.
One, they can clean your ears and make certain that your don't have any other issues.
Two, most ENT offices keep licensed audiologists on staff who can make you a set of custom earplugs that won't push more earwax back into your earcanal. The costs for custom plugs are pretty minimal compared to the actual costs of the hearing aids you'll need if you don't seriously protect your hearing.
slammy
Member
Plugs
It seems no one on this post works in a sawmill. We have to wear ear plugs everyday... for me over 34 years. Q-tips in the morning after your shower and muff's and plugs at the indoor range and you should be fine. My worst problem is I play guitar in a band and I can't wear plugs and hear myself screw up O well at least it's a country band and we aren't to loud!
It seems no one on this post works in a sawmill. We have to wear ear plugs everyday... for me over 34 years. Q-tips in the morning after your shower and muff's and plugs at the indoor range and you should be fine. My worst problem is I play guitar in a band and I can't wear plugs and hear myself screw up O well at least it's a country band and we aren't to loud!
Madcap_Magician
Member
Come down to the Mayo Clinic and I'll help you set up an appointment for a vacuum cerumenectomy. 
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