Our hearing is a precious sense that many of us take for granted—until something goes wrong. If you’ve ever noticed a sudden decrease in your hearing or a strange sensation in your ears, you might be wondering what’s causing it. In many cases, the culprit isn’t something serious like an ear infection; it could be as simple (and common) as earwax buildup. Let’s understand the signs that your hearing issues might be related to earwax and when it’s time to seek professional help.
Common Signs of Earwax Buildup
If you’ve been noticing that your hearing is a little off lately, earwax buildup could be the reason. Here are the most common signs:
- Hearing Loss: A sudden or gradual decrease in hearing in one or both ears is often one of the first signs that earwax may be blocking the ear canal. The hearing loss is usually muffled or feels like you’re underwater, as if the sound is being dampened. Make sure you book an expert ear consultation if you have hearing loss.
- Ear Fullness or Pressure: Sometimes, the feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear is all it takes to clue you in. If your ear feels like it’s “clogged” or there’s a heavy sensation that won’t go away, it could be due to earwax buildup.
- Tinnitus (Ringing in the Ears): Earwax can cause tinnitus or make existing symptoms worse. The ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound can be persistent, and it often becomes more noticeable when you’re in a quiet environment.
- Itching or Discomfort in the Ear Canal: If you’re constantly itching your ear or feeling an uncomfortable sensation inside, it could be a sign that earwax is causing irritation in the ear canal. This discomfort can also lead to further complications if you attempt to clean the ear with objects like cotton buds.
- Earache or Pain: In more severe cases, earwax buildup can cause earaches or even pain in the ear. This is particularly common if the wax is tightly packed against the eardrum. Some people also experience dizziness or loss of balance.
How to Tell If Earwax Is the Culprit
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it’s time to take a closer look at whether earwax could be causing the issue. Here are a few ways to self-assess:
- Sudden Onset of Symptoms: Earwax buildup often happens gradually, so if you’ve noticed a sudden change in your hearing or pressure in your ear, earwax may be the cause. Pay attention to when the symptoms started and whether they’ve been consistent.
- Recent DIY Attempts: Have you recently tried cleaning your ears with cotton buds or other objects? While this is a common practice, it often leads to pushing earwax deeper into the ear canal, making the problem worse. If your hearing issues began after attempting to clean your ears, earwax may be trapped deeper inside.
- Both Ears Affected: While earwax buildup can affect just one ear, it’s often seen in both ears. If you’re experiencing hearing issues in both ears, it’s a good indication that earwax might be the cause.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
While it’s tempting to try and fix the issue yourself, there are certain signs that mean it’s time to call in a professional. If you’re experiencing severe pain, prolonged discomfort, or a complete loss of hearing, it’s best not to wait and risk further damage. Likewise, if you’ve tried home remedies or over-the-counter earwax removal products with no success, seeking professional help is the safest option.
Healthcare professionals can safely remove earwax using techniques like irrigation, suction, or manual removal. It’s quick, painless, and often far more effective than anything you can do at home.
Dangerous Earwax Home Treatments
Do you suspect that you have excessive earwax? This might be causing you to have hearing problems, or your ears are uncomfortable. Either way, it can be tempting to try a home treatment in order to get rid of this earwax. After all, this is the quickest way to get rid of the problem, right?
You have to be very careful when it comes to earwax treatments at home. There are many that are dangerous and can lead to damaging the ears or causing an infection. Here are some that you must avoid.
Using Cotton Swabs
One of the most popular ways to remove excessive earwax is to grab some cotton swabs. People then push them into their ears, believing that this is going to help remove the wax. However, it often does the opposite. Instead, it pushes the earwax down further, which can damage the eardrum.
Trying Ear Candling
Have you heard people talking about ear candling? This is something that has been trending in recent years. However, you should know that there’s nothing to suggest that this treatment works. Instead, it can cause a host of problems. We’re talking about wax blockages, as well as burns.
Using Hairpins
Know that you should never stick anything into your ears. This is when you could do damage and cause pain. For example, there have been some people who believe in using hairpins to remove excess earwax. Similar to using cotton swabs, hairpins should not be used for cleaning, as this can lead to complications.
Getting Soap
Have you thought about using soap and water to clean your ears? This isn’t a good idea either. In fact, it can lead to discomfort and infections. You want to avoid putting water directly in your ears and especially making sure there’s no soap present.
Conclusion
Earwax buildup is a common cause of hearing issues, but it’s often easily preventable and treatable. If you’re experiencing muffled hearing, ear pressure, or discomfort, there’s a good chance that earwax is the cause. Pay attention to the signs, and if necessary, seek professional help to ensure your ears stay healthy and clear. Your hearing is valuable, and taking the right steps to maintain it can make all the difference.
