If you can't get earwax out, it can lead to impaction, causing muffled hearing, ear fullness, pain, itching, ringing (tinnitus), dizziness, or even a cough, but these symptoms usually resolve with treatment like softening drops or professional removal by a doctor. Ignoring it can worsen discomfort, but it's generally not dangerous if treated, with options including over-the-counter wax softeners or a healthcare provider using irrigation, suction, or specialized tools for removal.
Your healthcare professional may recommend medicated ear drops to help soften the wax, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox Earwax Removal Kit, Murine Ear Wax Removal System). Because these drops can irritate the delicate skin of the eardrum and ear canal, use them only as directed.
As the earwax tries to clear dead skin and debris, it can also trap bacteria inside the ear canal. If left untreated there is potential for an outer ear infection known as otitis externa.
Yes, deep earwax may eventually come out, but too much will mean you will likely need ear drops from a pharmacy to remove the wax at home. And if that doesn't work, then you will need to see a professional for microsuction. Don't suffer any longer than you have to — both solutions are quick and painless.
See a nurse at your GP surgery if:
A few days is usually enough time for your body to get rid of any blockage. But the general rule of thumb is that if things persist for more than a week or so, it may be a wise idea to come in for a consultation. That sensation of feeling like your ears are blocked can also be an indication of hearing loss.
Types of Professional Earwax Removal
Micro-suction is a pain-free, gentle process that uses a low pressure suction pump to safely remove earwax from the ear canal. Another way professionals remove excess earwax is through irrigation, which involves flushing the ear canal with water.
Impacted earwax symptoms may include:
Instead, soak a cotton ball and drip a few drops of plain water, a simple saline solution, or hydrogen peroxide into the ear with your head tilted so the opening of the ear is pointing up. Keep it in that position for a minute to allow gravity to pull the fluid down through the wax.
If your ears are plugged, try swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free gum to open your eustachian tubes. If this doesn't work, take a deep breath and try to blow out of your nose gently while pinching your nostrils closed and keeping your mouth shut.
Common Signs of Earwax Impaction
One of the most common indicators of earwax impaction is a feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear. This sensation can vary, depending on the extent of the buildup. People often describe it as feeling like their ear is plugged or as if there is something stuck inside.
At Specsavers, we use microsuction, which is the quickest and safest method of removing earwax. The tool gently sucks the wax from your ears, and has no contact with the eardrum or the sensitive skin of the ear canal.
Thankfully, the buildup of earwax is a common and easily treatable problem. Leaving earwax unaddressed can lead to complications that can result in permanent hearing damage. This in turn can cause other health complications such as dementia, cardiovascular disease, as well as injuries due to falling.
For example, if you use cotton swabs to remove earwax, you may push the wax deeper into your canal. Over time, this may cause complete blockage. Hearing aids, swimming plugs, and swim molds can have a similar effect with repeated use.
Given that excess ear wax can cause problems with hearing, ear wax removal is likely to lead to better hearing, as your ears will no be longer clogged with ear wax. You might experience some side effects like: Dizziness.
Apply Heat. Some people report receiving relief by using heat to soften and dislodge the excess wax. This might involve applying a heating pad to the affected ear and leaving it there for a half-hour or so.
Other safe techniques include yawning or chewing gum, applying a warm compress against the ear and making gentle jaw movements. These methods can help relieve pressure and promote the natural clearing of the ears.
To safely remove deep earwax at home, soften it first with a few drops of warm olive oil, mineral oil, or glycerin for a few days, then gently flush with warm water using a bulb syringe (only if you have an intact eardrum), allowing it to drain, but never use cotton buds or ear candles, as these can push wax deeper or cause injury; consult a doctor if blockage persists.
When earwax accumulates and hardens, it can obstruct the canal, leading to a sensation of ear fullness, hearing loss, and sometimes tinnitus. The blockage can interfere with the normal vibration of the eardrum and auditory ossicles, or bones in the middle ear, which can lead to tinnitus.
But sometimes it's not wax
These could be signs of a middle ear infection, fluid behind the eardrum, Eustachian tube dysfunction, or even early hearing loss. That's why it's so important to have your ears looked at properly.
Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage may include:
Irrigating (gently rinsing) your ear canal can reduce the risk of earwax impaction. It involves using a rubber bulb syringe to squirt water or a saline solution into the ear canal. When the water or solution drains out of the ear, it also flushes out loose ear wax.
Symptoms of earwax blockage may include:
The average cost for ear wax removal is roughly $70 to $180, varying significantly by location and method, with microsuction generally costing $70-$130, irrigation $60-$90, and ENT specialists potentially more, though some services offer lower rates or rebates depending on insurance or Medicare in countries like Australia or the US.
Next, the doctor will use a bulb syringe that looks like an eyedropper to remove wax and rinse the ear canal. This process will not hurt at all; it feels like pressure behind your ears.