Quick Takeaways:
- Earwax protects your ears, but excessive buildup can block hearing, cause dizziness, and create discomfort.
- Watch for signs like muffled sound, ear fullness, itching, or ringing.
- Professional removal is safest, though oils or hydrogen peroxide can help soften wax at home.
It’s your best friend’s birthday.
You plan a massive surprise party, joined by their family.
A festive dinner, songs blasting from JBL speakers, everyone chit-chatting while waiting for your friend to come home.
Then the door opens. Everything goes silent.
“Surprise! Happy birthday!”
Everyone starts singing the birthday song, over and over. But as the singing goes on, the voices begin to sound muffled. Your left ear feels full, and suddenly you can’t hear clearly.
“Am I going deaf?”
Luckily, a doctor is there, and you ask him to check your ear with the tools he has on hand.
“Bad news, You have earwax blockage. Good news, you’re not going deaf.”
Table of Contents
Introduction
We all see earwax as something sticky, unpleasant (to put it politely), and definitely not something we talk about openly.
When our ears start to feel itchy or uncomfortable, many of us clean out the earwax right away, either on our own or with the help of clinical services. It often brings relief and helps us hear more clearly.
Did you know that we don’t need to clean our ears every week? Our ears actually have a natural self-cleaning mechanism that helps flush out dirt and debris. Using cotton buds or Q-tips may seem helpful, but they can increase the risk of injury or push earwax deeper into the ear canal.
That said, too much earwax is not ideal either. Although the ear can clean itself, some people produce excessive earwax. But can too much earwax reduce our hearing?
Let’s find out.
Role of Earwax
At first glance, we often think of earwax as dirty, but it actually serves multiple important functions inside our ears.
Cerumen (earwax) is made up of secretions from oil and sweat glands, along with dead skin cells, dust, and dirt in the outer ear canal. This waxy substance protects the ear from water, dust, and microorganisms, lubricates the ear canal to keep it moisturized, and helps remove foreign particles.
Earwax also naturally falls out over time and is replaced by new wax, so there’s no need to use Q-tips to clean your ears. In fact, using Q-tips can sometimes cause more harm than good, potentially damaging the eardrum.
But one question remains: how much earwax does it take to actually block our hearing?
Can Earwax Blockage Cause Hearing Loss?
Some people naturally produce more earwax than others. A 2024 study found that 18.6% of individuals aged 12 and above were affected by earwax blockage, and the condition was even more common among adults 70 years old and older.
Excessive earwax build-up usually occurs when there is disruption in normal movement of wax. For instance, when using hearing ads, having foreign objects in ear canal or excessive hair in the ear canal. These disruptions prevent the wax from flowing out easily, causing the temporary hearing loss and discomfort.
Individuals who frequently participate in water-related activities such as swimmers are more likely to experience hearing problems caused by earwax buildup. When water enters the ear, earwax can absorb moisture and swell inside the ear canal.
Over time, this can cause the earwax to harden and block sound from reaching the eardrum. In most cases, this situation leads to muffled sound and brief hearing loss.
Earwax blockage signs include;
- Itchy ear
- Ear pain
- Mild dizziness
- Muffled sound
- Pressure or sense of fullness in one ear
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
Can Earwax Blockage Cause Dizziness
Earwax blockage can cause dizziness and vertigo. Excessive earwax pressed against the eardrum and inner ear, disrupt inner ear’s role to maintain balance. Hence, leading you to experience dizziness.
Not only that, earwax buildup might create a suitable environment for bacteria to thrive, causing ear infections such as swimmer’s ear. Some of the symptoms include dizziness, severe pain and fever.
Can Removing Earwax Improve Hearing
Yes.
Removing an earwax blockage can make a significant difference in your hearing. Once the wax is cleared, sound waves can travel freely to your eardrum, and most people notice an immediate improvement. Suddenly, voices are clearer, and that muffled feeling is gone.
However, it’s important to leave the cleaning to professionals. Avoid sticking objects into your ear, as this can push wax deeper and increase the risk of damaging your eardrum.
How to Remove Earwax Safely
You can remove earwax safely at home in several ways;
- Use oils such as olive, baby oil or mineral oil to soften the wax. Tilt your head, then place few drops of oil into the ear.
- You can also use hydrogen peroxide to clean your ears by practicing the same method as using oils. However, avoid these methods if you have ruptured eardrum.
- You can also use bulb syringe to flush out the earwax after softening the wax.
- Getting professional removal methods from a doctor is truly recommended as they have the right tools and expertise to remove the earwax while minimizing the risk of damaging the ears.
Conclusion
In summary, while earwax plays an important role in protecting and cleaning our ears, excessive buildup can temporarily affect hearing and even cause dizziness or discomfort. Most cases of earwax blockage are easily treatable, and removing the wax often restores hearing immediately. The safest approach is to seek professional care rather than attempting to remove earwax yourself, which can prevent complications and protect your eardrum. By understanding the signs and taking proper precautions, you can keep your ears healthy and hearing clear.
Read More About How to Safely Clean Your Eyes Here (Bahasa Malaysia)
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