Blocked Ears?

About an earwax build-up

Earwax is produced inside your ears to keep them clean and free of germs. It usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears.

What can cause an earwax build-up?

Some people regularly get blocked ears because they naturally produce a lot of earwax.

Other factors that can increase the risk of too much earwax include:

• producing naturally hard or dry earwax
• having narrow or hairy ear canals (the tube between the opening of the ear and the eardrum)
• being elderly, as earwax becomes drier with age
• bony growths in the outer part of the ear canal

Earwax can also block your ear if you frequently insert objects into your ear canal, such as cotton buds, ear plugs, in ear speakers and hearing aids.

Symptoms

A build-up of earwax in your ear can cause:

• earache
• hearing loss
• tinnitus (hearing sounds from inside your body)
• itchiness in or around the ear
• vertigo (a spinning sensation)
• ear infections

These problems will usually improve once the excess earwax has been removed.

What to do if you think your ear is blocked

Never try to remove a build-up of earwax yourself with your fingers, a cotton bud or any other object. This can damage your ear and push the wax further down.

Contact us via the phone or via email to book an appointment with our Audiologist as they will be able to advise on the treatment needed and in most cases remove the ear wax for you on first appointment. Using ear drops for 3-4 days before your appointment helps to soften the wax and make it easier to remove, removing the possible need for a follow up visit to remove any stubborn wax.

Don’t try to scrape out the earwax with your finger or an object inserted into your ear, as this this can make the problem worse.