Earwax Blockage: 7 Signs You May Need Ear Wax Removal

Earwax is completely normal and plays an important role in protecting your ears. Usually, it naturally works its way out of the ear canal without causing any problems.

However, sometimes too much earwax can build up and cause a blockage. This can affect your hearing and make your ears feel uncomfortable.

Here are 7 common signs that earwax may be causing a problem.

1. Your ear feels blocked or full

One of the most common symptoms of earwax build-up is a feeling of pressure or fullness in the ear.

It may feel as though something is physically blocking your ear, even if you can't see anything.

2. Your hearing seems muffled

Has your hearing suddenly become quieter or less clear in one or both ears?

A build-up of wax can prevent sound from travelling through the ear canal properly, which may temporarily affect your hearing.

3. You're experiencing ringing or buzzing

Earwax blockage can sometimes be associated with tinnitus, such as ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear.

Tinnitus can have many different causes, so persistent or unexplained symptoms should be assessed by a hearing healthcare professional.

4. You have ear discomfort

A significant build-up of earwax can sometimes cause pressure or discomfort in the affected ear.

If you are experiencing significant or persistent ear pain, however, it's important to seek appropriate medical advice rather than assuming that wax is the cause.

5. Your ears feel itchy

Occasional itching can happen for many reasons, but an itchy sensation inside the ear can sometimes accompany a build-up of earwax.

Avoid putting cotton buds or other objects into your ear to try to remove it yourself, as this can push the wax further into the ear canal.

6. You're experiencing dizziness

Some people with impacted earwax may experience dizziness or problems with balance.

Because dizziness can have many different causes, it's important to seek professional advice if it is persistent, severe or unexplained.

7. Your hearing aids aren't performing as well

If you wear hearing aids, excess earwax can interfere with their performance.

Wax can block hearing aid receivers or affect how effectively sound reaches your ear, making your devices seem quieter than usual.

What should you do if you think you have earwax?

If your ears feel blocked or your hearing has changed, having them professionally checked can help determine whether earwax is the problem.

At Andrew Bird Hearing, our experienced hearing care team can examine your ears and advise you on the appropriate next steps.

Where suitable, we offer professional ear wax removal using microsuction, a commonly used method of removing excess wax from the ear canal.

Don't try to remove it with cotton buds

It can be tempting to clean a blocked ear yourself, but inserting cotton buds or other objects into the ear canal can push wax deeper and may cause damage.

If you're unsure what's causing your symptoms, having your ears checked professionally is the safer option.

Think earwax could be affecting your hearing?

If you're experiencing blocked ears, muffled hearing or other symptoms of earwax build-up, we're here to help.

Book an ear wax removal appointment with Andrew Bird Hearing today.