Ear, nose and throat (ENT)

  • Sore Throat

    A sore throat (pharyngitis) usually goes after a few days. Simple treatments that you can buy can ease symptoms until the sore throat fades. Usually, you only need to see a doctor if symptoms are severe, unusual, or if they do not ease within a week.

    Sore Throat fact sheet (PDF)

  • Tinnitus

    Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that are not caused by an outside source. It’s not usually a sign of any serious conditions and generally improves over time. There are treatments that can help.

    More Information About Tinnitus

    Website
    www.tinnitus.org.uk

  • Ear Infections

    Otitis Media

    Ear infection is very common in children, although it can occur in people of any age. Most ear infections clear up within 3 days, although sometimes symptoms can last up to a week.

    Middle ear infection in children (PDF)

    Otitis Externa

    Otitis externa is an inflammation of the external ear canal and usually clears within a week or so. When otitis externa is short-lasting, it is described as ‘acute otitis externa’. However, sometimes it persists for three months or more and is then described as ‘chronic otitis externa’.

    Website
    www.patient.info/ears-nose-throat-mouth/earache-ear-pain/ear-infection-otitis-externa

  • Sinusitis

    Acute sinusitis is a sinus infection which usually goes away on its own without treatment. There are various treatments that may help to ease symptoms. Antibiotic medicines are only sometimes needed.

    Complications are uncommon but include persistent (chronic) sinusitis and the infection spreading to nearby structures.

    Acute Sinusitis fact sheet (PDF)

  • Ear wax

    Blocked ears (wax) self-care guidelines for patients

    Earwax is a normal build-up of dead cells, hair, foreign material such as dust, and natural wax which forms a protective coating on the skin in the ear canal. The quantity of earwax produced varies greatly from person to person. A doctor or nurse can look into the ear canal and confirm a plug of earwax has formed. A plug of earwax is not a serious problem, more a nuisance. You only need to remove earwax if it is causing symptoms such as dulled hearing or when fitting a hearing aid.

    How to remove earwax

    Note: If you think you have ear wax, do not try to clean the ear canal with cotton wool buds. This can make things worse, as you will push some earwax deeper inside. It may also cause an ear infection.

    Ear drops

    Ear drops alone will clear a plug of earwax in most cases. Put 2 or 3 drops of ordinary olive oil down the ear 2 or 3 times a day for 2-3 weeks.

    This softens the wax so that it then runs out of its own accord without harming the ear. You can continue for any length of time, but 3 weeks is usually enough. We also recommend Earol (olive oil spray), some people find this easier to use than plain olive oil as the tapered actuator delivers a single unit dose reducing over application and spillage/mess, Earol can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies. Surprisingly, you will not necessarily see wax come out.

    It often seems to come out unnoticed.
    If you are prone to repeated wax build-up you can continue to use olive oil drops twice a week to prevent recurrence. If olive oil does not work you can buy sodium bicarbonate drops from pharmacies.

    How to use ear drops

    Warm the drops to room temperature before using them.
    Pour a few drops into the affected ear.

    Lie with the affected ear uppermost when putting in drops.

    Stay like this for 10 minutes to allow the drops to soak into the earwax.

    Bulb syringing

    Use olive oil drops twice a day for at least 14 days prior to bulb syringing.

    Or alternatively use sodium bicarbonate ear drops purchased from your pharmacy (please read the manufacturers leaflet).

    Instructions for Bulb Syringing

    Wash your hands.

    Use a bowl of cooled boiled water that is warm to the touch, not too hot or too cold.

    Prepare the syringe by squirting water in and out of it a few times.

    Gently pull your outer ear “up and out” to help straighten out the canal, which will allow better access for the water.

    Tilt your head so the ear to be treated is upmost.

    Place the tip of the syringe into the opening of the ear. Do NOT push the syringe further into the ear and gently squirt one or more bulb syringes of water into your ear. (This might be best done in the shower so that the excess water will run into the bathtub and not on your floor).

    Allow the water to remain in your ear for at least 60 seconds. Gently tilt your head in the opposite direction and wiggle your outer ear.