Do your ears feel blocked?
Your ear canal produces a waxy oil called cerumen, which is more commonly known as earwax. This wax protects the ear from dust, foreign particles, and microorganisms. It also protects ear canal skin from irritation due to water. In normal circumstances, excess wax finds its way out of the canal and into the ear opening naturally, and then is washed away.
When your glands make more earwax than necessary, it may get hard and block the ear. When you attempt to clean your own ears, you can accidentally push the wax deeper, causing a buildup or impaction. In our clinic it is quite a common situation for us to discover that a hearing loss is actually temporary!
The appearance of earwax varies from light yellow to dark brown. Darker colours don’tnecessarily indicate that there’s a blockage. Signs of earwax buildup include:
Sudden or partial hearing loss, which is usually temporary
Tinnitus, which is a ringing or buzzing in the ear
A feeling of fullness in the ear
Earache
If you suspect that ear wax is a problem consult with your Doctor or a Hearing Rehabilitation Specialist. They can provide safe and easy removal options. Do not attempt to dig it out yourself or let an unqualified person do it. Last but not least, candles belong on dinner tables not in ears! Ear Candling is a dangerous and completely ineffective method of wax removal.
