If you are a regular hearing aid wearer you may experience some of the symptoms of ear wax build-up over time. This is completely natural and is common in people who do not use hearing aids too.
Ear wax build-up is a common cause of ear discomfort and of temporary hearing loss or muffled hearing - so what are the symptoms of ear wax build-up for you to look and listen for?
Common ear wax symptoms
Some symptoms of ear wax build-up can appear in the form of physical discomfort, and these may include:
- Dizziness.
- Earache.
- Itching.
You may also develop an ear infection due to the ear canal becoming clogged with wax.
A number of symptoms of ear wax build-up are noticeable in your hearing rather than as a physical feeling, and these include:
- Muffled and indistinct hearing.
- Quiet hearing.
- Tinnitus (ringing, whistling or other sounds in the ear).
Finally, you may be aware of the ear wax itself, due to your ear canal feeling clogged, full or 'heavy', or due to feelings of trapped moisture or that your ear feels 'wet'.
What not to do
Resist the urge to 'dig out' the excess ear wax with a cotton bud, finger nail or other physical object - you should not insert objects into your ear canal and this will usually only serve to push the wax in deeper or pack it down more firmly.
If you have hearing aids, continue to wear them normally. However, don't just turn up the volume, as it's important to treat the ear wax itself rather than simply masking its effects.
What to do about ear wax
There are some simple treatments you can try at home, such as olive oil drops, which should help to loosen the ear wax build-up so that it falls out naturally while you sleep.
Natural remedies like ear candles are also available, although there is little evidence to suggest that these work in many cases.
Professional treatment for ear wax build-up
If you prefer to seek professional treatment for excess ear wax, don't worry, uncomfortable syringing is a thing of the past.
At Tailored Hearing Solutions we instead use microsuction to remove ear wax gently and without discomfort.
We can do this because of the sophisticated binocular microscope used during the treatment, which gives high precision and depth perception at all times.
To find out more, book an appointment or call us on 01524 587623 to discuss this fast, safe and effective treatment for excess ear wax.
