Difficulty Hearing? Learn 8 Symptoms of Impacted Earwax

Is earwax buildup or blockage causing you discomfort? While some buildup is normal and usually more annoying than dangerous, certain symptoms of impacted earwax may require the care of an ear, nose and throat (ENT) provider.

We’ll explore what impacted earwax is, examine its causes and symptoms, and discuss treatment options so you can find the relief you need.

If you’re experiencing pain and discomfort related to an ear condition, our ENT specialists can help. We’ll evaluate your situation and determine an effective treatment plan tailored just for you. We invite you to call 843-347-7300 to schedule an appointment with our expert team at CMC Ear, Nose, and Throat. 

What is Impacted Earwax and What Causes It?

Earwax is a normal substance produced by glands in the ear canal to protect the ear from infection, dust and debris. Normally earwax moves out of the ear canal naturally, taking debris with it.

Impacted earwax, also referred to as cerumen impaction, is when earwax builds up in the ear canal faster than the body can remove it, causing a blockage.

Causes of Impacted Earwax

Some people naturally produce more earwax than others.

Other times, certain conditions can cause earwax buildup. Some of these conditions create a physical blockage, while others cause more earwax to be produced.

Factors that may cause impacted earwax include:

• Narrow ear canals, which occur normally in some people
• Excessive ear hair
• Dry or hard earwax
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus
• Overproduction of earwax due to ear injuries
• Skin diseases like eczema can lead to excess earwax
• Frequent use of earplugs, earbuds, headphones or hearing aids which can block the drainage of earwax
• Abnormalities in the shape or structure of the ear canal like osteoma or exostoses
• Ear infections such as swimmer’s ear, which can cause inflammation and increased earwax production
• Overuse of cotton swabs to remove earwax, which can push wax deeper into the ear canal

Impacted earwax is more common in older adults, however sometimes the cause of earwax buildup is not known.

What Are the Symptoms of Impacted Earwax?

Symptoms of impacted earwax may include:

• Earache or discomfort
• Temporary hearing loss or difficulty hearing
• Sense of plugged ear or ear fullness
• Itching or irritation in the ear
• Coughing
• Dizziness
• Infection
• Tinnitus, ringing, buzzing or other noises in the ear

You may only experience one or two of these symptoms. Some people with earwax blockages experience no symptoms at all.

Because the symptoms of impacted earwax can be similar to those of other health conditions, be sure to consult with an ENT doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment if you notice any of the signs above.

How is Impacted Earwax Removed?

Treatment for impacted earwax depends on several factors including your symptoms, how severe the blockage is, your age and your overall health, including other ear conditions you may have.

Sometimes treatment can be managed at home through first softening the earwax using saline solution, mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide or peroxide-based ear drops, then flushing the ear with warm water using a bulb syringe.

Do not try this or any at-home remedy without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

Other treatment options are performed in the office of an ENT specialist and may include:

• Irrigation of the ear canal
• Manual earwax removal

We may recommend a combination of these approaches to resolve your symptoms.

If you are trying to remove earwax at home, keep in mind that you should never put anything inside your ear canal, even cotton swabs.

While cotton swabs may seem harmless, they can cause injury to the delicate ear canal, damage your eardrum, and potentially lead to ear infections or hearing loss. They can also push earwax deeper into the ear canal and stimulate the hairs inside your ear which can trigger the production of more earwax.

How Can You Prevent Excessive Earwax Buildup?

Some of the health conditions previously mentioned make it challenging to entirely prevent earwax buildup. If you do not have one of these conditions, you can help reduce excessive earwax buildup by:

• Not putting anything inside your ears to clean them, which can stimulate earwax production and push wax further in
• Avoiding prolonged use of earplugs or earphones, which pushes wax further in
• Cleaning hearing aids frequently if you wear them

For minor earwax buildup, a topical agent like ear drops may help, but this approach is not recommended for everyone. Consult with your doctor first if you’ve had ear surgery or you have a history of ear conditions such as infections, ear pain or irritation, a hole in the eardrum or other ear problems.

Experiencing Symptoms of Impacted Earwax? Our Leading Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors Are Ready to Help

Earwax plays an important role in maintaining ear health, but excessive earwax buildup can create problems like ear pain, dizziness and even hearing loss.

Our team of ENT specialists can help. We’ll evaluate your situation and determine the best ENT treatment for you based on your symptoms and your specific health condition. We invite you to call us at 843-347-7300 to schedule a consultation with our expert team at CMC Ear, Nose, and Throat.