Is it Hearing Loss or Wax Buildup?

Your ears have a natural system built into self-clean. This system is self-lubricating and has antibacterial qualities. However, many people try to use q-tips or other products to clean their ears; cleaning out a portion but pushing the wax further into the ear canal.  This can cause blockage or clogged ears.  You may begin to wonder if you are experiencing hearing loss or have a clogged ear because you aren’t hearing as well as you used to.

What causes a clogged ear?

There are glands built into the skin of your router ear canal that makes the wax in your ears. Tiny ear hairs and wax trap dust and other materials that could damage the deeper parts of your inner ear. The ear was is a normal part of your ear’s self-cleaning process.

A small amount of ear wax regularly moves towards the opening of your ear. It is then washed away or falls out and new wax is produced.  If your earwax doesn’t clear or your ear overproduces earwax, then it can build up and block your canal, causing clogged ears.

Using cotton swabs or other items can cause earwax blockages by pushing the wax deeper into the ear rather than removing it. It is not recommended to try and clean your ears this way.

What are the symptoms of a clogged ear?

• Ear feels full
• Earache or pain
• Dizziness
• Hearing becomes difficult and increases with time
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ear
• Ears that feel itchy
• Odor or discharge coming from the ear

If you wear hearing aids, you may have some additional earwax buildup. If you are having difficulty hearing you should see your hearing specialist. They can safely remove earwax and diagnose your hearing.

Why should I see my audiologist or hearing specialist?

Seeing your hearing specialist or health provider is the only way to know if you have too much earwax buildup.  They use special instruments to examine your ears and can determine how much build-up is in your ear.  They can also perform other tests to determine what is causing hearing loss.

Your audiologist will be able to tell you if your hearing loss is temporary from clogged ears, too much ear wax, exposure to excessively loud noise, or ear infection. If you have permanent hearing loss they will be able to provide you with options to improve your hearing through hearing aids and other hearing devices in extreme cases.

If you have earwax buildup, you will want a hearing specialist to remove the excess wax in your ear canal and eardrum because your ear canal is delicate and can be easily damaged. Attempting to remove earwax yourself with hair pins or cotton swabs in your ear can make the condition worse, especially if you are experiencing ear pain or drainage. You may have a hole in your eardrum.  It is best to rely on a specialist to repair your hearing loss. 

Symptoms of Hearing loss

Experiencing hearing loss can be very disruptive to your life.  You may worry that you are going deaf or that you are experiencing symptoms of dementia. It can come on quickly or you may not notice that your hearing has changed.  These are a few symptoms that you may see if you are experiencing either temporary or permanent hearing loss.

Signs and Symptoms of hearing loss

• Clogged ear 
• Muffled hearing
• Avoid crowds because it is difficult to distinguish noises
• Experience anxiety because you miss words from conversations
• The TV is turned up to a very loud
• Socializing is a struggle
• Self-isolation becomes preferred
• Difficulty understanding words

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, set up an appointment with your audiologist to have your ears and hearing checked.  They will take care of you and complete several assessments to determine what type of hearing loss you are experiencing. They will be able to tell you if your hearing loss is permanent or if it is temporary.  Working closely with your hearing specialist will help you better understand why you might be experiencing hearing loss.  As experts, they can clearly explain to you what is happening with your ears and hearing.  They will help you create a plan to get you back to living a healthy lifestyle.
Like any other health issue, it is important to see your hearing specialist as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can make the situation worse. At Hearing Associates of Las Vegas, we are here to help you with your hearing. We are experts in listening and will work with you to improve your quality of life through improved hearing.