Everyone has ear wax. It might look a little gross, but ear wax is actually a helpful part of keeping your ears healthy. But what happens when there’s too much of it? Can ear wax cause hearing loss? The short answer is: yes, it can.
Our Sugar Land, TX audiologists at Fort Bend Hearing are here to explain why ear wax matters, how to spot problems, and what you can do to keep your ears clean and healthy.
What Is Ear Wax and Why Do We Have It?
Ear wax, also called cerumen, is made inside your ears. It might feel sticky or dry, depending on your body. It helps to:
- Trap dirt and dust
- Protect the inside of your ear
- Keep the skin in your ear from getting too dry
- Fight off germs and bacteria
Most of the time, your ears take care of ear wax all on their own. When you chew or move your jaw, the wax slowly moves out of the ear and flakes or washes away.
Can Ear Wax Really Cause Hearing Loss?
Yes, too much ear wax can cause temporary hearing loss. If the wax gets packed in and blocks your ear canal, it can stop sound from getting through. This is called impacted ear wax. It’s like having an earplug in your ear where things sound muffled or far away.
The good news is that this kind of hearing loss usually goes away once the wax is removed. It’s not permanent, but it can be annoying and uncomfortable.
Fort Bend Hearing provides professional ear wax removal in Sugar Land, TX.
Signs of Too Much Ear Wax
Since you cannot see what’s inside your ears, it’s not easy to tell if you have too much wax.
You may not be able to confirm it visually, but there will be common signs such as:
- muffled hearing
- ear feels full or blocked
- hearing a ringing or buzzing sound (tinnitus)
- You feel pressure or mild pain
- You feel dizzy or off balance
- You experience itchiness or discomfort in your ears
If you notice any of these, it would be best to have your ears checked, especially if the symptoms don’t go away on their own.
Safe Ways to Remove Ear Wax
Before anything else, please don’t put anything in your ear. Even it if it a cotton swab, your finger, or an ear pick, we discourage putting anything in your ears.
Why? This can push the wax in deeper and cause more problems. It may even lead to ear damage.
If you really feel like there’s something wrong with your ears that may have something to do with ear wax, here’s what you can do:
1. Visit an audiologist
We can look inside your ears and gently remove the wax using safe tools or warm water. It’s quick, painless, and done by trained hearing professionals. Fort Bend Hearing provides professional ear wax removal in Sugar Land, TX.
2. Use Ear Drops (With Caution)
Some ear drops from the store can help soften the wax. But these should only be used if your ears are healthy. Talk to us first before trying this at home.
3. Irrigation or Ear Flushing
This is when warm water is gently used to flush out wax. It’s a safe method when done by a hearing care provider.
How to Prevent Ear Wax Buildup
While you can’t stop your body from making ear wax, you can help keep things in balance:
- Don’t stick anything in your ears
- Keep your ears dry after showers or swimming
- If you wear hearing aids or earbuds, ask us to check your ears often
- Visit an audiologist for regular cleanings if you’ve had wax problems before
When to Call Fort Bend Hearing
If you live in Sugar Land, TX and think ear wax might be blocking your hearing, we’re here to help.
Our team will take a look, listen to your concerns, and gently clean your ears if needed. We also offer hearing tests if you’re still having trouble hearing after wax is removed.
You should definitely come see us if:
- You’ve tried drops or cleaning at home, and nothing helped
- You have ear pain, fluid, or sudden hearing loss
- You wear hearing aids and think wax might be affecting them
Professional Ear Wax Removal in Sugar Land, TX
Ear wax is normal and helpful. But, too much can lead to hearing problems. Luckily, it’s easy to fix. If your ears feel blocked or your hearing seems off, you might just need a simple cleaning.
Fort Bend Hearing provides professional ear wax removal in Sugar Land, TX.
Call us today to schedule an appointment!
