How to Know If Earwax Is Causing Your Hearing Problems

Earwax is a natural substance that protects your ears from dust, bacteria, and other foreign particles. However, too much earwax can block your ear canal and affect your hearing ability. Many people don’t realize that their hearing problems might be due to something as simple as earwax buildup rather than permanent hearing loss. Knowing when earwax is the culprit behind your hearing difficulties can save you unnecessary worry and help you get appropriate treatment.

Understanding Earwax and Its Purpose

Earwax, or cerumen, serves as your ear’s natural cleaning and protective system. It traps dust and other small particles that might otherwise enter your ear canal and cause damage. Your ears are designed to clean themselves through a natural process of moving earwax from the ear canal to the ear opening, where it typically dries up and falls out.

This self-cleaning process works well for most people, but occasionally the system can malfunction. Factors such as ear canal shape, age, and certain habits can affect how efficiently your ears remove excess wax. When this natural removal process doesn’t work properly, earwax can build up and become impacted, leading to various symptoms, including hearing problems.

Warning Signs of Earwax Buildup

The most common symptom of earwax buildup is a feeling of fullness in your ear, often accompanied by muffled hearing. You might notice that you need to turn up the volume on your TV or phone, or ask people to repeat themselves more frequently. These changes may happen gradually over time or come on suddenly if the wax shifts position.

Furthermore, you might experience ringing in your ears (tinnitus), ear pain, itchiness, or a feeling that your ear is plugged. Some people also report dizziness or a sense of imbalance when earwax blocks the ear canal. Earwax buildup may be the cause if you notice any of these symptoms, especially in only one ear.

How Earwax Affects Your Hearing

Earwax buildup can cause conductive hearing loss, which happens when sound waves cannot efficiently travel through your ear canal to the eardrum. The wax essentially acts as a physical barrier, blocking sound from reaching the inner ear properly. Fortunately, this type of hearing loss is usually temporary and resolves once the wax is removed.

Depending on the amount of wax and how deeply it’s lodged in your ear canal, the impact on your hearing can vary. Some people might only notice slight muffling of sounds, while others might experience more substantial hearing difficulties. The good news is that once the blockage is cleared, your hearing typically returns to normal right away.

Safe Removal Options

The safest way to remove problematic earwax is through professional cleaning by a hearing health professional. They can use specialized tools like a curette, suction, or irrigation to safely remove the blockage without damaging your ear canal or eardrum. These procedures are generally quick, painless, and immediately effective at restoring hearing.

For mild cases, your hearing health professional might recommend over-the-counter ear drops that soften wax, making it easier for your ear to expel it naturally. However, cotton swabs should never be used for cleaning inside your ears, as they can push wax deeper and cause impaction or injury. Ear candles are also dangerous and should be avoided, as they can cause burns and further damage to your ear canal.

Visit Your Hearing Health Professional

If you suspect earwax is affecting your hearing, it’s best to consult a hearing health professional rather than trying to remove it yourself. You should definitely seek medical attention if you experience severe ear pain, drainage from your ear, complete hearing loss in one or both ears, or persistent symptoms despite home treatments.

Professional help is also necessary if you have a history of ear problems, ear surgery, or a perforated eardrum. Remember that proper diagnosis is important, as symptoms similar to earwax buildup can sometimes indicate other ear conditions that require different treatment.

Ready to address your earwax concerns? Contact our audiology clinic today to schedule a professional ear examination and find out if earwax might be affecting your hearing ability.