A reader has described how a routine ear syringing procedure at their GP practice in 2010 left them with permanent tinnitus. The individual, who wishes to remain anonymous, had sought treatment for muffled hearing caused by a buildup of earwax, expecting a straightforward and risk-free process.
During the appointment, a healthcare assistant used an irrigation machine without providing any explanation or warning about potential side-effects. The machine was reportedly turned up to full power, delivering a jet of water so forceful that the patient jerked their head away in shock.
The following day, the patient woke up with tinnitus. When they contacted the GP, any link between the procedure and the condition was dismissed. The distress caused led to time off work. Upon reviewing National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines, the patient discovered that pressure should be built up slowly, patients should be warned of risks, and that in untrained hands these machines can cause permanent hearing damage.
The patient lodged complaints with numerous health bodies and submitted a freedom of information request about complaints related to these machines, but received no resolution. However, their GP practice later stopped using the machines or offering irrigation, with the procedure now generally left to private clinics where staff are presumably properly trained. Having lived with tinnitus for 16 years, the patient has become accustomed to it but notes that for some, tinnitus can lead to despair and self-harm.
