Otolaryngologist Part 1

ape name grand tuh? well, orang yg study bidang kesihatan je tahu n orang yg memang tahu, tahula. Otolaryngologist is referring to an ENT (ear,throat, and nose ) specialist.. why am I bringing that up? Of course there is a reason behind it... Well, I have hearing impairment. This happened like a week ago(more than a week). People around me have been telling me to seek a doctor. So, today, I finally decided to go to the hospital.

Before that, let me tell you about my problem first. I could not hear much on my right ear. It happened as the result of probing ear. (okay, I know, it was stupid). Well, because of itchiness, of course, most people will use cotton swab to clean their ear. So, I did. what does it caused me? I'm now depending only my left ear. Too make sure that I didn't damage my right ear, I use earphone to make sure that it (my right ear) still can detect sounds. Well, it still can. But only about 20% - 30%. At first, I didn't attempt to do anything (including seeking a doctor) because I thought it will be just fine if I let it for a few days. (I have this kinda problem before.) But, IT DIDN'T. One day, I tell my aunt bout it, and she told me to go to an ENT specialist, because she used to see a lot of cases about ear infection. Her words scares me.

As for that, before I did finally go seek a doctor, I try to be my own doctor by goggling about my problem. I found out that, my problem probably because of Earwax Blockage..

" Earwax blockage occurs when earwax (cerumen) accumulates in your ear or becomes too hard to wash away naturally.

Earwax is a helpful and natural part of your body's defenses. It protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria.

Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage may include:

• Earache (I don't experience this)
  
• Feeling of fullness in the affected ear
• Ear noise (tinnitus)
• Decreased hearing in the affected ear

Causes

In most people, a small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the opening of the ear, where it's washed away or falls out as new wax is secreted to replace it. If you secrete an excessive amount of wax or if earwax isn't cleared effectively, it may build up and block your ear canal.

Additionally, earwax blockages commonly occur when people try to clean their ears on their own by placing cotton swabs or other items in their ears. This often just pushes wax deeper into the ear, rather than removing it. "

So, I turned out to be right. My doctor told me that my problem was a result of earwax blockage. So, I was given with an ear drop containing Sodium Bicarbonate which will soften my earwax that hardened.

Okay, probably people out there, will be laughing over this matter. But they do not know how serious this can be. People have been using wrong method to clean their earwax.

This bit info may help you getting to know about earwax.. (okay, perhaps a bit disgusting to some. )

• Ear wax is helpful to coat the skin of the ear canal where it acts as a temporary water repellent.
  
• The absence of ear wax may result in dry, itchy ears, and even infection. (so, please do not get it wrong by sayin, earwax is the one that cause itchiness)
  
• Under ideal circumstances, a person should never have to clean their ear canals
• However, sometimes removal of ear wax is necessary. When wax has accumulated so much that it blocks the ear canal (and interferes with hearing), a physician may have to wash it out, vacuum it, or remove it with special instruments.
  
• The patient may first try an over the counter product (drug that do not need prescription), such as Debrox or Murine Ear Drops. If the ear still feels blocked after using these drops, a physician should be consulted.
  
• If the person does try OTC ear wax softeners, it is imperative to know that he or she does not have a perforated (punctured) eardrum prior to using the product. Putting ear wax softeners in the ear in the presence of a perforated eardrum may cause an infection. (so, please take notice)
• Never put anything small into your ear! Wax is not formed in the deep part of the ear canal near the eardrum, but only in the outer part of the canal near the external opening.
• Q-Tips (a.k.a cotton swabs), bobby pins or twisted napkin corners, will push the wax deeper into the ear and can lead to problems.
• Some doctors recommend the use of two drops of mineral oil in each ear one day per week at bedtime to help liquefy ear wax in people who have a history with ear wax problems. (bukan sume orang SAME!)

P/S; wait? kanape ade istilah part 1? well, citer aku belom abes agi, aku hanya jumpe doktor biase, belom jumpe ENT specialist agih, hari Jumaat ade appointment ngan doktor pakar tuh.. so TO BE CONTINUED....