Earwax: symptoms and help

Ear wax is naturally produced by the ear to clean and protect itself. So while a certain amount of wax within your ears is normal, and encouraged to keep bacteria and debris from entering the sensitive parts of the inner ear, a build-up of excess ear wax can be uncomfortable.

The typical signs of impacted wax are:

• Earache
• Difficulty hearing
• Itchiness
• Dizziness/vertigo
• Ear infections
• Sounds such as high-pitched tones coming from inside the ear (tinnitus)

If you're a hearing aid wearer, excess ear wax could cause a poorly fitted hearing aid, damage to the hearing aid, a whistling noise or the need to clean more often. 

How to remove impacted ear wax?

You should not try to remove ear wax that blocks your hearing by yourself. In some cases you might need special drops or a small procedure to remove it. In any case, we advise you to seek help from a healthcare professional.

How do I get help?

Talk to your Hearing Aid Audiologist or GP if you think you have a build-up of ear wax. They may recommend home remedies, such as olive oil, or a full ear clean. You can also book an appointment and see one of our experienced Audiologists.

Book a free assessment Book a free assessment