Is Earwax Buildup Affecting Your Hearing? Signs It May Be Time for Professional Removal

Does one ear suddenly feel plugged? Are conversations sounding muffled, or has your hearing aid stopped sounding as clear as it normally does?

Earwax buildup may be the reason.

At Clarity Hearing Clinic of Oakville, we regularly meet people who are concerned that their hearing has suddenly worsened, only to discover that earwax is partially or completely blocking the ear canal. Although earwax is normal and helpful, too much of it can sometimes interfere with hearing and cause uncomfortable symptoms.

Here is how to recognize the signs of earwax buildup, what you should avoid doing at home and when it may be time to have your ears professionally checked.

What Is Earwax—and Why Do We Have It?

Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is produced naturally inside the ear canal. Despite its reputation, earwax is not dirty or unhealthy. It helps protect the ear by trapping dust and debris, moisturizing the delicate skin of the ear canal and helping keep unwanted material away from the eardrum.

Most ears are self-cleaning. Everyday jaw movements, such as chewing and talking, help gradually move old wax toward the opening of the ear, where it can dry and fall away naturally.

Problems can arise when the ear produces more wax than it can remove or when the wax becomes pushed deeper into the canal.

What Are the Signs of Earwax Buildup?

Earwax buildup does not feel exactly the same for everyone. Common signs may include:

• Muffled or reduced hearing

• A plugged, blocked or full sensation in the ear

• Ringing or buzzing in the ear, known as tinnitus

• Itching inside the ear canal

• Mild discomfort

• Hearing aids that seem weak, distorted or inconsistent

• Feedback or whistling from a hearing aid

• A visible buildup of wax near the opening of the ear

Symptoms may affect one or both ears and can develop gradually. Because earwax blockage and hearing loss can feel similar, an examination of the ear is the best way to determine whether wax is actually responsible.

Can Earwax Cause Hearing Loss?

Yes. When enough wax collects in the ear canal, it can prevent sound from travelling efficiently toward the eardrum. This may cause a temporary type of hearing loss called conductive hearing loss.

When wax is the cause, hearing will often improve after the blockage has been safely removed. However, not every change in hearing is caused by earwax.

If your ear canal is clear but you are still noticing difficulty hearing, a comprehensive hearing assessment can help determine whether an underlying hearing loss is present.

A sudden or significant change in hearing—particularly in one ear—should always be assessed promptly rather than assumed to be wax.

Why Do Some People Develop More Earwax Than Others?

Some people naturally produce more earwax. Others have ear canals that are narrow, curved or more difficult for wax to exit.

Earwax buildup may also be more common among:

• People who wear hearing aids, earbuds or earplugs regularly

• Older adults, as earwax may become drier and harder with age

• People with narrow or unusually shaped ear canals

• Individuals who frequently use cotton swabs

• People who have previously experienced recurring wax blockages

Hearing aids can contribute to buildup because they sit inside or near the ear canal. Earwax can also block hearing aid receivers and microphones, affecting how the devices perform. Regular ear and hearing aid checks can help prevent these problems.

Should You Use Cotton Swabs to Clean Your Ears?

It is best not to place cotton swabs—or anything else—inside your ear canal.

Although a cotton swab may remove a small amount of wax near the entrance, it can also push the remaining wax farther into the ear. This may pack the wax more tightly, irritate the ear canal or injure the eardrum.

As audiologists sometimes say: do not put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.

You can gently clean the visible outer portion of the ear with a soft cloth, but the inside of the ear canal generally does not need routine cleaning.

Ear candles are also not recommended. They have not been shown to remove earwax effectively and can cause burns, blockage or injury.

Can You Remove Earwax at Home?

Some people may be able to use wax-softening drops, but home treatment is not appropriate for every ear.

Before putting drops or water into your ear, speak with a qualified healthcare professional if you have:

• Ear pain, bleeding or drainage

• A known or suspected perforated eardrum

• Ear tubes

• Previous ear surgery

• Recurring ear infections

• Significant dizziness

• Diabetes or a compromised immune system

• A foreign object in the ear

• Uncertainty about what is causing your symptoms

If you experience pain, drainage or bleeding, seek medical advice rather than assuming the problem is earwax.

What Happens During a Professional Earwax Removal Appointment?

At Clarity Hearing Clinic of Oakville, we begin by asking about your symptoms and relevant ear-health history. We then carefully examine your ear canals and eardrums.

If wax is present, we determine which removal approach is most appropriate for your ears and the type of wax involved. Depending on your needs, professional removal may involve irrigation, suction or specialized instruments.

Some wax is soft and relatively easy to remove. Hard, dry or deeply impacted wax may require softening drops before it can be removed comfortably. Occasionally, a follow-up visit is recommended rather than trying to remove stubborn wax all at once.

After removal, we examine the ear again. If your hearing continues to feel reduced once the ear canal is clear, we may recommend a hearing test to investigate further.

Does Professional Earwax Removal Hurt?

Earwax removal should generally not be painful, although you may notice pressure, movement, water or sound during the procedure.

If the ear canal is irritated or the wax is very dry and firmly lodged, the ear may be more sensitive. Please let us know immediately if you feel discomfort. We can pause, change our approach or recommend additional softening before continuing.

When Should You Book an Earwax Check?

Consider having your ears examined if:

• Your hearing has become muffled or reduced

• One or both ears feel plugged

• Your hearing aids are whistling or not performing normally

• You have a history of recurring earwax buildup

• You can see wax but cannot remove it safely

• You are unsure whether your symptoms are caused by wax or hearing loss

You do not need to know for certain that wax is present before booking an appointment. Looking inside the ear is the first step.

Earwax Removal in Oakville

If your ears feel blocked or your hearing has changed, Clarity Hearing Clinic of Oakville can examine your ears and help determine the cause.

As a locally owned and independent hearing clinic, we believe in making ear and hearing care comfortable, straightforward and personal. We will explain what we see, discuss the appropriate options and never make you feel rushed.

Contact Clarity Hearing Clinic of Oakville to schedule an ear examination or professional earwax removal appointment.