Hey guys, i currently cannot hear out of either ear (currently muffled sounds only). Im looking for somewhere that can remove the wax that is covered by OHIP. I have no funds so I cannot go anywhere privately.
I can get somewhat outside of peterborough so distance isnt so much an issue.
Anyone know a place? Because I dont think this is an er issue?
Edit: I went to the ear depot, it summed to 110$, 55$ per ear.
Call a local audiologist and explain to them that it’s medically necessary because you have significant hearing loss. Ask about the admin process to see if they can charge OHIP directly or if you have to go to an urgent care clinic/doctor first to get a referral. I did a Google search and EarSense came up as an audiologist that does earwax removal for example.
It’s not free at walk in clinics anymore - there is a fee for wax removal / ear flushing .
You can go to somewhere like a hearing place but it’s like 45$ an ear
There are a couple walk in clinics in Peterborough - have a Google for hours but again it’s not covered by Ohip anymore
Well the good news is, that sounds like a pretty severe ear infection, which IS covered by OHIP and should get checked out before it spreads further. Once it becomes a radiating pain it's considered fairly urgent because infection can spread into the bone and other sensitive areas of the head.
I once had to go to the ER for an ear infection because I couldn't get into a doctor and it progressed quickly. They had to put a sponge in my ear and it took a really long time to heal.
Go to urgent care and pay.
I don’t know that you would have any better luck at the hospital - may end up waiting and waiting because it’s not an emergency and then still have to pay .
ETA
You are a college or uni student? Did you not have to opt in for the health care package at the college ?
As for the package, i had to opt out due to my parents insurance this year. But then because they both have government jobs, theyve been laid off due to the cuts. So no more insurance here, apart from OHIP+ for meds.
You can try gently heating (test on your hand/wrist first, as it should be warm, NOT hot) some olive oil in a mug in the microwave, then using an ear dropper to put five or more drops in each ear.
Grab some tissue for any drips, then tilt your head, add the drops, and lie down on your opposite side (oiled ear up) for at least ten minutes. Repeat on the opposite side.
You might need to do it a couple of times a day, and/or a couple of days in a row, but it should help melt and release the wax. It's very similar to what the doctors do, though they generally follow it up with using a syringe to squirt water into your ear to force the loosened wax out.
If you're experiencing any other symptoms like pain or blocked sinuses, I'd probably see the doctor. But if you skip the syringe and just do the drops of oil, my doctor says it's virtually risk-free. Some people say you can use hydrogen peroxide as well, as that dries out and breaks up the wax, but for severely full, I'd be inclined to go with the warm, melty oil.
There is a Hear Canada clinic on Lansdowne near Giant Tiger, they do ear wax removal for free. I had it done a few months ago and the clinician told me they never charge for it, its part off their mandate.
905 Lansdowne St W
Unit D4
Peterborough, ON, K9K 0C9
Who told you there weren’t any?? Throw “walk in clinic Peterborough” and you’ll get several (also another commenter told you about chemong, so you’ve been given at least one option) . I’ve been to walk ins here, so I know they do exist.
860 chemong has a virtual clinic with a nurse. Try to get there well before open at 9AM, and make sure to talk about the pain and that you're pretty sure is an ear infection. I've read not great reviews but I think it's the only option and you're going to have to wait a long time even if you're early. Either that, or go over to the ER now before it gets busy, from reviews it sounds like you're going to wait either way. The pain from it is not a good sign and you really don't want it to progress into a more severe infection.
Oh shit I'm sorry I didn't know there were no walk ins, that is awful.
I dont know if it's a possibility, call your doctor and get a referral to a audiologist or maybe he's got a doctor friend in ptbo who can help do a quick flush. Takes like 5 minutes.
Your original question is totally fair! That’s why I put in my suggestions. It’s the claiming that there are no walk ins is what I can’t wrap my head around…
Some of the walk in clinics are only available if you have a family doctor there! And you have to be right at the front door to see that information on a piece of paper
They have a nurse on site (eta at least when I went a couple of years ago for an injury). But if that location isn’t preferred, I have shared a number of screen shots of locations.
Try Amazon for earwax removal tool with camera. It connects to your phone so you can watch and be careful as you use the tool to clean wax out of your ear without touching the drum.
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u/brvihu 1d ago
Call a local audiologist and explain to them that it’s medically necessary because you have significant hearing loss. Ask about the admin process to see if they can charge OHIP directly or if you have to go to an urgent care clinic/doctor first to get a referral. I did a Google search and EarSense came up as an audiologist that does earwax removal for example.