Blocked Ears and Ear Wax Removal

Ear wax is something that the ears produce naturally. It’s very useful for the body when it comes to helping to keep your ears clean and free from germs. Ear wax isn’t meant to stay inside the ears but should gradually make its way out of the body. However, sometimes this doesn’t happen and, when that’s the case, the ears can become blocked. If you’re experiencing blocked ears then you may need to consider ear wax removal.

Why do the ears become blocked?

There are a number of different reasons why you might be experiencing blocked ears and need to have the ear wax removed. These include:

• Your body regularly produces a lot of earwax and this is too much to naturally process out of your ears.
• The ear wax you produce is either naturally dry or naturally hard so it tends to get stuck inside the ears.
• Your ear canals - the passage between the eardrum and where your ear opens to the air - are either very narrow or very hair, causing ear wax to get stuck.
• Your ears have bony growths in the ear canals, which are causing the ear wax to remain where it is.

Another reason why some people start experiencing problems with ear wax and blocked ears is simply due to age - as we get older, ear wax becomes naturally drier and harder.

What does an ear wax build-up feel like?

It could be something as simple as experiencing itchiness around the ear or noticing that your hearing has changed. You might have symptoms of tinnitus (ringing in the ear) or be experiencing vertigo (most people identify this as a spinning sensation). Pain can also be an indication that there is something wrong, such as an earache or an ear infection.

Dealing with an ear wax build-up

If you think you might have problems with ear wax build-up then the worst thing you can do is to start putting anything in your ears. Cotton buds, for example, can compound the problem - rather than solving it - and end up making your blockage worse. If you’re only experiencing minor issues from the ear wax build-up then you can usually treat it with over-the-counter ear drops. A number of different options are available, including those made using almond oil, olive oil or sodium bicarbonate. If ear drops don’t solve the problem in around five days then you’ll need to get some medical help. There are a number of medical treatments that can help with ear wax blockages, including:

• Microsuction, which uses a small suction device to remove ear wax from the ears.
• Ear irrigation, where the ear wax is pushed out of the ear with water and an electric pump.
• Aural toilet, which involves a small instrument with a hoop at one end that is used to remove the ear wax.

If you are struggling with blocked ears there are lots of different options when it comes to ear wax removal.

Harley Street is the UK's foremost private medical centre which is dedicated to providing high-quality care for your ear, nose, throat, head & neck, and balance-related disorders. Find out more information on how Harley Street ENT can help you here.