Main
- Only an ENT doctor removes the plug: examines the ear with an otoscope, then irrigates the canal or removes the accumulation with an instrument.
- The main cause of the compaction is cotton buds: they push the earwax deeper and compress it instead of removing it.
- Typical signs: hearing loss in one ear, a blocked feeling, noise, itching, dizziness and worsening after water.
- See a doctor urgently: with pain, discharge from the ear, a sharp decrease in hearing, dizziness with nausea.
- Prevention: wash the ears only on the outside, protect them from water and dust, and have check-ups if you wear a hearing aid.
What is an earwax plug
Earwax blockage is a build-up of earwax that blocks the ear canal. It can reduce hearing and cause discomfort, but it is usually not dangerous.
What happens in the body
Earwax is produced by glands located in the skin of the ear canal and is normally gradually expelled outwards when the jaw moves. When wax accumulates faster than it can be removed, it thickens and plugs the lumen of the canal. Attempts to clean the ears with cotton buds push the mass deeper and compact it further. Over time the lump becomes dense and completely blocks the path of the sound wave. A person begins to hear worse, and a feeling of congestion and ringing in the ear appears. Sometimes itching or a feeling of pressure inside the head is added to this. If the plug presses on the walls of the canal, discomfort occurs when chewing and talking. It will not be possible to remove such a compaction on your own with a cotton bud, so with persistent hearing loss it is worth seeing a doctor.
What causes it to develop
- Use of cotton buds: foreign objects push the wax deeper into the canal and compact it, instead of removing it.
- Wearing hearing aids: the device blocks the canal and prevents the natural exit of wax, so it accumulates faster than usual.
- Features of the structure of the ear canal: a narrow or tortuous canal makes it difficult for wax to move outwards on its own and contributes to its retention.
- Water getting into the ear: moisture swells in the wax mass, the lump increases in size and blocks the lumen more tightly.
- Older age: with the years wax becomes drier and thicker, and its removal slows down, which increases the risk of accumulation.
- Working in dusty conditions: fine dust settles in the canal and mixes with the wax, accelerating the formation of a dense mass.
Who encounters this more often
Earwax blockage occurs more often in people who regularly clean their ears with cotton buds or use hearing aids. In older people, wax thickens and is removed more slowly, so accumulations are noticeably more common in them. A narrow or tortuous ear canal also increases the likelihood of wax retention in any person. Workers in dusty industries and those who are often in dusty rooms encounter this condition more regularly. Water getting in while swimming or washing the hair often becomes the trigger for the formation of a plug. Headphones that fit tightly over the ear interfere with the natural exit of wax in the same way as hearing aids. If you notice recurring hearing loss or congestion, it is reasonable to discuss this with a doctor rather than trying to cope on your own.
What symptoms can there be?
An earwax plug makes itself known gradually, and at first the changes are easy to put down to tiredness or lack of sleep. A few recurring signs help you understand that the problem is in the ear, and certain situations require a visit to the doctor without delay.
How it is noticed at the very beginning
An earwax plug most often shows itself in that a person begins to hear worse with one ear, although they feel no pain at the same time. Other people seem quieter, and you want to move the telephone receiver to the other ear. Sometimes a slight feeling of fullness is added to this, as if something remained in the ear after swimming. Many explain such changes by tiredness, headphones or a cold and do not attach importance to them. Gradually, tinnitus joins the hearing loss, and it is especially noticeable in the silence before sleep. If water gets into the ear, all the sensations intensify at once, and the person finally starts to think about the cause. It is worth remembering that a plug may not bother you at all and may be discovered by chance at a doctor's appointment.
The signs that occur most often
- Hearing loss in one ear: sounds from that side are perceived as quieter, and during a conversation you want to turn to the other person with the healthy ear.
- A feeling of blockage or fullness in the ear: it seems that something is in the way inside, although there is usually no pain or fever.
- Noise or ringing in the ear: the extraneous sound does not go away on its own and is especially bothersome in a quiet room.
- Itching in the ear: the unpleasant sensation appears for no apparent reason and provokes unnecessary touching of the ear.
- Dizziness: occurs when the plug presses on the eardrum and is noticeable with a sudden change in body position.
- Worsening of symptoms after water gets into the ear: when swimming or washing your hair, the plug swells, and all the sensations become more pronounced.
When to seek help urgently
Examinations and tests
Diagnosing earwax blockage is straightforward and almost always limited to an appointment with an ENT doctor. Below is a description of what exactly the doctor does during the examination and what information about yourself you should bring with you.
How the examination begins
The examination begins with a conversation: the ENT doctor asks in detail about the complaints, how long they have been present and the circumstances of their onset. The patient describes how their hearing has changed, whether there is a feeling of fullness, noise or discomfort in the ear. The doctor then examines the ear using an otoscope — a device with a funnel and a magnifying lens. Through this funnel, they look into the external auditory canal and see the blockage itself. From the appearance and density of the accumulation, the specialist understands how tightly it adheres to the walls of the canal. If the complaints concern hearing loss, the doctor additionally assesses its acuity with simple tests. Additional examinations for a typical picture are usually not required, and the diagnosis is made right at the appointment. It is worth recalling in advance when the unpleasant sensations appeared and what preceded them.
What is ordered and what it shows
What to prepare for the appointment
- Description of complaints: when the fullness appeared, how the hearing changed and what preceded it — this helps the doctor assess how long the process has been going on.
- ENT doctor's reports: previous conclusions about the ears show whether there were similar episodes before and how they were managed.
- Hearing test results: if hearing acuity was assessed previously, these data give the doctor a point of comparison.
- Information about past ear diseases: operations, injuries and inflammations in the past affect the examination and its interpretation.
- List of medications taken: regular use of any medications should be mentioned to the doctor so that they can take this into account during the examination.
- Questions for the doctor: questions formulated in advance about the cause of the fullness and further steps save time at the appointment.
Which doctor should I see?
An ENT doctor removes earwax, and it is this specialist you should make an appointment with if you suspect ear blockage. Below we explain which specialist manages this condition, what happens during the appointment and which part of the result depends on the patient themselves.
Which specialist manages this condition
An ENT doctor removes earwax, since they work with the ear canal and the eardrum. The doctor examines the ear, assesses the density and location of the build-up, and then chooses the method of removal. If a specialist of this kind is not available nearby, you can make an appointment with an otorhinolaryngologist at the polyclinic at your place of attachment. At the appointment, the doctor first examines the ear and then removes the wax in the consulting room. Ear irrigation is used when the build-up is soft and can be washed out with a jet of solution. Removal with a special instrument is used when the wax is dense or the ear canal is narrow. Attempting to pull the wax out yourself with cotton buds is dangerous because it can damage the canal and the eardrum. Therefore, if your ear feels blocked and your hearing is reduced, it is wiser to go straight to an ENT doctor rather than try to deal with it at home.
What the treatment consists of
- Ear irrigation by the doctor: the build-up is washed out with a jet of solution under pressure, which is suitable when the consistency is soft and there is no damage to the canal.
- Removal of the wax with an instrument: a dense or deeply seated build-up is extracted with a special instrument under visual control so as not to touch the eardrum.
- Softening drops prescribed by the doctor: they are used on the specialist's instructions before the procedure, when the wax is too dense for direct removal.
- Observation after the procedure: the doctor re-examines the ear to make sure the canal is clear and hearing has been restored without complications.
What depends on the patient themselves
Regular follow-up with an ENT doctor determines how smoothly recovery after wax removal proceeds. If a person is prone to frequent build-up, they should come for examination at the times appointed by the doctor, and not only when blockage appears. Giving up cotton buds and other attempts to clean the ear yourself reduces the risk of injury to the ear canal and eardrum. Following the doctor's instructions on the use of softening drops helps carry out the procedure faster and with less discomfort. Paying attention to your own sensations allows you to notice in time that your hearing has decreased again and not to let the situation get worse. If pain, discharge or noise in the ear appears after the procedure, this should be reported to the doctor without delay. Therefore, the patient's sensible approach is to come for follow-up examinations on time and not to interfere with the ear themselves between visits.
What helps prevent an exacerbation?
Daily ear hygiene without traumatic objects and attention to the body's signals help prevent an exacerbation. Regular check-ups with a specialist reduce the risk of earwax plug forming again.
What to change in your habits
Daily cleaning of the ears with cotton buds is the main reason why earwax thickens and blocks the ear canal. A cotton bud pushes the wax deeper instead of removing it, and gradually forms a dense mass. It is enough to wash the ears on the outside during ordinary hygiene procedures, without inserting any objects into the ear canal. If you wear a hearing aid or headphones, earwax accumulates faster because the device interferes with the natural exit of wax. Protecting the ears from water and dust in the swimming pool, on a building site or in windy weather also reduces irritation of the skin of the canal. If you notice a blocked feeling or reduced hearing, do not try to clean the ear yourself — this only compacts the plug. Regular examination by an ENT doctor when wearing a hearing aid allows wax accumulation to be noticed before it makes itself felt.
What to keep under control
- Avoiding cotton buds: any objects in the ear canal injure the skin and compact the wax, so cleaning with them is unacceptable.
- Hygiene of the outer part of the ear: washing only the outside while showering removes dirt without affecting the natural self-cleaning mechanism of the canal.
- Wearing a hearing aid: the device makes it harder for wax to exit, so regular examination by an ENT doctor is needed when using one.
- Protection from water and dust: in the swimming pool, outdoors in windy weather or at work the ears should be covered to reduce irritation.
- Attention to a blocked feeling: a sensation of pressure or worsening hearing is a reason to see a doctor, not to try to solve the problem yourself.
How often to see a doctor
Regular examination by an ENT doctor is needed even when the ears do not bother you and your hearing seems normal. When wearing a hearing aid or headphones, wax accumulates unnoticed, and the plug forms gradually, without obvious early signs. The doctor examines the ear canal and sees the accumulation before it blocks the lumen and causes a blocked feeling. If you notice periodic reduced hearing, noise or pressure in the ear, the visit should not be postponed. A timely examination allows the compacted mass to be removed in a simple way, while it has not yet become dense and painful. People with a hearing aid should see a specialist regularly, since the device changes the natural cleaning of the canal. Such monitoring does not replace the prescribed treatment, but it helps avoid exacerbations and the discomfort associated with them.
What is worth remembering
Earwax blockage is not a harmless trifle, but a condition that can noticeably worsen hearing and cause unpleasant sensations. Below are the main points that help you make the right decision and not harm yourself.
Main conclusions
Earwax blockage forms when earwax loses the ability to come out naturally and accumulates in the ear canal. A person notices this by a feeling of fullness, reduced hearing and noise in the ear, sometimes dizziness is added. Trying to remove earwax blockage with improvised means is dangerous: cotton buds and sharp objects only push the mass deeper and injure the skin. Self-irrigation is also risky, especially if there is damage to the eardrum or inflammation. Earwax blockage does not resolve on its own if it is already dense and has blocked the passage, so waiting is pointless. Removal of earwax blockage is carried out by a doctor, who first examines the ear and chooses a safe method. If after removal the earwax blockage appears again, it is worth discussing with the doctor the reasons for its formation.
