Korean Job Discussion Forums

[nero]

My ears are blocked. Last time I went to the dr's over here he pulled out a Victorian looking gadget and proceeded to very nearly burst my eardrum.
Has anyone had the water syringe method of cleaning over here?

Thanks in advance.

[Kaypea]

I had that in Canada once. I had really blocked ears, and a doc at the drop in clinic did it. It really, really helped, and felt satisfying, too.

Here, though, I hate that vaccuum thing they stick all the way up your nose when you're stuffed up. I won't let them, it feels too creepy and doesn't help.

[kimdeal54]

I did, but I had to go to an actual hospital, and they didn't use water, just a vacuum. It was fast and comfortable.

I went to a regular ENT once, and had the same experience as you... couldn't walk straight afterwards.

Alternatively, have you tried using a few drops of hydrogen peroxide?

[towerofstars]

yes... not sure if you're in Seoul, but I had an ear wash (with the elephant-style syringe, not the vacuum) done once at Yonsei Severance Hospital in the international clinic and it really helped.

[UknowsI]

I had it done in my home country once with the water thing. That it 'helped' is an understatement. Before I did it I could hardly here anything on that ear and afterwards my hearing was perfect. It was a little painful when I did it too though. The inside of the ear is very sensitive.

[schwa]

Old-school ENTs use a tiny metal spoon which is not fun. Water jet is the way to go. Do-it-yourself is even better. Dont know about pharmacies here but in Canada you can buy a little rubber bulb (like a mini kitchen baster) exactly for this.

If you're really waxed up put a couple drops of olive oil in your ear & let sit for a few minutes first. Then blast away with lukewarm water & the gunk comes right out. I learned this method from a doctor.

[flakfizer]

There are also ear wax removal kits you can get. You put some liquid in your ear, let it set and then the wax will soften and come right out with a squirt or two.
I've had the ENT guy remove some wax here and it was way more comfortable then when a doctor did it back home.

[nero]

Wow! thanks for the helpful posts. Isn't it the worst feeling in the world to have blocked ears?
I know mine are impacted because the last time I was back home the Dr wouldn't touch them before I used drops to soften the wax.
It's good to know I don't have to have that creepy drill type thing burrowing into my brain.

[PigeonFart]

Regarding insurance, these major english speaking hospitals in Seoul are called 'tertiary' care, and apparently you won't get insurance cover if you go there first.
Is that right? I heard that you have to go to a 'primary' place first (your local doctor), and only if s/he then sends you to the tertiary places will you be covered?

I would want to go to the Tertiary places to get wax removed because i can't speak Korean.

p.s. I had the big syringe used on me a few years ago, it was great! I want to have it done again this time.

[recessiontime]

I have tried to syringe my own ear but I'm not sure if it worked. I used some cerumol to loosen the ear wax first then syringed. If I was in Japan there are actual clinics that specialize in ear wax removal. You can even watch your ear get cleaned on a monitor too, it's pretty awesome.

surely someone in Korea specializes in this?

[young_clinton]

[schwa]

[Kurtz]

It's a procedure I have to have done about every 10 months. Back home they use the warm water syringe method, a little uncomfortable but painless. Here a long metal rod was put in my ear with a strong suction to pull the offending material out. Stubborn bits are quite painful to remove, it was quite painful, using drops then getting the procedure done is the only way to go.

[RMNC]

And NETs complain that they don't get any tail from Korean women.

[recessiontime]