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QUESTION: In general practice, does ear syringing improve hearing thresholds?
Design
Randomised {allocation concealed}*, blinded (outcome assessors), controlled trial with immediate follow up.
Setting
Ear syringing clinics at 3 general practices in the Bristol area, UK.
Patients
116 patients who attended the clinics with an ear drum completely obscured by wax and had instilled oily ear drops for ≥3 days before syringing. 114 patients (98%) were included in the analysis (mean age 63 y, 54% men).
Intervention
All patients had a first hearing test. 55 patients allocated to the intervention group immediately had their ears syringed, waited until they were dry, and then had a second hearing test. 61 patients allocated to the control group …
Footnotes
↵* Information provided by author.
Source of funding: Royal College of General Practitioners Scientific Foundation Group.
For correspondence: Dr D Memel, Air Balloon Surgery, St George, Bristol, UK. dmemel{at}airballoon.cix.co.uk