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Ear wax – also known as cerumen – is a natural substance that helps protect your ears from dust, dirt, and bacteria. You may have an ear wax build-up if you notice muffled hearing, earache or discomfort, itching, ringing or buzzing, dizziness, or discharge or an unpleasant smell from the ear. While wax usually works its way out on its own, it can sometimes build up and cause blocked ears, hearing difficulties, and balance problems that are best checked and treated safely.
If you’re an adult in Ashford, Surrey or the surrounding areas dealing with impacted wax or blocked ears, this guide explains the signs to look for, why professional ear wax removal is often the safest option, the risks of trying home remedies, and how microsuction works as a gentle and effective treatment.
Common Signs of Earwax Blockage and When You May Need Ear Wax Removal
1. Muffled Hearing
One of the most common signs of a wax blockage is reduced hearing in one or both ears. It can feel like you’re wearing earplugs, with blocked ears in the affected ear and temporary hearing loss being common signs of ear wax buildup. Hearing changes can also happen with earwax blockage, so the only definitive way to check is with an otoscope by a professional.
2. Earache or Discomfort
Built-up wax can press against the eardrum or ear canal, causing ear pain or a sensation of fullness in the ear. Severe pain is a red flag, so seek medical advice if you also have sudden hearing loss or fluid or blood coming from the ear.
3. Itching or Irritation
Excess wax can make your ears feel itchy or irritated. Avoid using cotton buds, cotton swabs, or other objects, as they can push earwax deeper into the ear canal and cause cerumen impaction. Trying to keep ears clean this way can worsen an ear wax problem instead of helping remove earwax. Seek medical advice if there is significant ear pain, fluid or blood coming from the ear, sudden hearing loss, or severe pain.
4. Ringing or Buzzing (Tinnitus)
Some people experience ringing, buzzing, or whooshing sounds in their ears when wax builds up.
5. Dizziness or Balance Issues
In some cases, wax blockages can affect your balance or cause light-headedness.
6. Discharge or Odour
If you notice an unusual smell or fluid coming from your ear, it could be a sign of wax buildup, an ear infection, or another infection needing professional attention.
When to Seek Help and Available Treatment Options
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time to book a professional earwax removal appointment, and if symptoms persist or you think you have impacted earwax, see a healthcare professional to have your ears checked. At Ear Corner in Ashford, Surrey, we use gentle and effective microsuction – a safe, precise option for excess earwax that provides direct visual control during the procedure.
Other treatment options include ear irrigation or electronic ear irrigation, which rinses the ear canal with saline solution.
Sometimes olive oil or ear drops are used first to soften hard wax, with a few drops placed in the affected ear, but not if you have a perforated eardrum or relevant ear surgery history.
Risk factors for earwax build up and earwax build include narrow ear canals, age-related changes that can lead to more earwax and excessive earwax becoming harder, living in dirty environments, and other causes of build up linked to too much earwax, which can affect ear health.
Avoid home remedies or over-the-counter kits, as these can sometimes do more harm than good.
Book Your Appointment Today
Don’t suffer in silence. If your ears feel blocked or uncomfortable, our friendly clinicians at Ear Corner are here to help.
Call us on 01784 676 515 or
Book online at www.earcorner.com
