Ear syringing improved hearing in general practice
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 waited an equivalent length of time before having a second hearing test, and then had their ears syringed.
Main outcome measure
Improvement in hearing threshold of ≥10 …
