What Causes Ear Wax Build-Up?
Ear wax/cerumen is a waxy substance that forms to protect your ear from bacteria, water, and other outside debris. Over time, sometimes wax can build up and harden causing blockage in the ear canal.
How Do I Know If I Have Ear Wax Build Up/Impaction?
An excess build-up of ear wax can lead to impaction and other unpleasant symptoms such as the following:
- Fullness or plugged sensation
- Impaired hearing
- Ringing
- Itching
- Dizziness or coughing
- Earache or pain
If you notice pain, fullness, or a plugged sensation in your ear you should see a professional to rule out wax impaction.
How do I remove excessive earwax?
Professionals trained in ear wax extraction can use a suction, curette, microscope, or irrigation for removal. Manual removal may be used by professionals if the ear canal is narrow, the eardrum has a hole in it, or there is a tube in the ear drum.
Your Hearing Professional Can Always Help
The best recommendation is to always consult with a hearing professional if you are concerned about ear wax. This procedure may not be available in all of our clinics.
If you have reason to believe you have too much wax in your ears, book an appointment with us today to have our hearing professional check and safely remove excessive earwax. (Please do not stick anything in your ears to clean them yourself!).
If having your ears cleaned by a hearing professional remedies your hearing loss, that is excellent news! If, however, that doesn’t solve it, that same hearing professional will be able to figure out what is causing your hearing loss and help you treat it. That, too, is excellent news.
References:
https://www.starkey.com/blog/articles/2021/05/can-earwax-cause-hearing-loss
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