The Impact of Earwax Buildup on Your Hearing: What You Need to Know

Having earwax is completely normal and is a natural method of keeping your ears protected on a day to day basis. You need a certain amount of earwax to shield your ear canal from dust, bacteria and excess water. However, too much earwax can cause an unwanted buildup inside your ears and may cause hearing loss. Experiencing an earwax blockage is common and can be dealt with by a trained audiologist. If you want to learn more about the impact of earwax on your hearing, here is everything you need to know.

More About Earwax and Earwax Impaction

There are a lot of negative associations that go hand in hand with earwax, but it’s not all bad. Earwax is integral to the health of the ear, and without it your ear could become irritated or infected. Usually, earwax naturally moves to the outer part of the ear and it can easily be wiped away. Your ears are self-cleaning so earwax won’t become a problem for many people, however some people can produce more earwax than is needed.

When this occurs, earwax can build up and begin to block the ear. This can lead to an earwax blockage, which can then result in hearing loss. Usually, this is temporary, and in many cases hearing will be restored when the blockage is removed by an audiologist.

What Happens During an Earwax Blockage?

As well as experiencing hearing loss, there are a handful of other symptoms that are a clear indicator that an earwax blockage is present. You may feel a slight earache, get a cough, feel an itchy ear or have a full feeling in your ear. Tinnitus, or a ringing in the ear is also a common symptom of earwax blockage. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your audiologist.

Ear Cleaning and Earwax Blockages

Keeping up with your usual hygiene routine is important, even when you have an earwax blockage, however you should never attempt to remove the blockage by yourself. Don’t insert anything into your ear including cotton swabs or your finger. More often than not, this can actually push the earwax further into your ear, making the earwax blockage even harder to remove. You may even cause an infection if you mess around with earwax inside your ear, as your ear is a very sensitive area of your body.

Schedule an Appointment with an Audiologist

If you have any concerns or questions regarding earwax buildup and your hearing, you should schedule an appointment with your audiologist. With their advice and expertise, you can feel confident that your situation is being handled by a professional. You should never attempt to remove earwax by yourself, as this could cause damage and make the issue worse over time. Have full peace of mind that your earwax can be cleared safely by an experienced audiologist who knows exactly how to treat your buildup of earwax.