“Am I losing my hearing, or is just earwax?”

Your hearing will be adversely impacted if earwax accumulates in the ear canal. Even while earwax generally falls out on its own, if you have symptoms of compacted earwax, it’s crucial to contact a hearing care specialist because DIY solutions can be risky, useless, and even worsen the condition.

What is earwax (cerumen)?

The body naturally rids your ear canals of dust and dead skin cells by producing earwax (otherwise known as ‘cereumen’). Actually, it isn’t wax at all. Earwax is a water-soluble substance that absorbs dead skin cells, airborne dust, and secretions from glands in your ear canal.

The majority of the time, earwax will exit your ear naturally, as you move your jaw to talk, eat, and drink. It typically dries out and disappears without you ever knowing. However, hearing aids, hair, and other impediments, can stop this process and necessitate intervention.

Symptoms of compacted earwax

We advise scheduling an appointment for earwax removal if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms listed below.

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear);
• Itchy ears, odour, or ear discharge;
• Coughing;
• Earache;
• Feeling as though your ear is blocked;
• Sounds becoming muffled, which may get worse over time;
• If you wear hearing aids, you might hear them whistling or feel as though they aren’t functioning properly.