Ear Care & Earwax
Short answer
Earwax is normal and protective: it traps debris and keeps the ear canal from drying out. It usually clears by itself. It becomes a problem when it builds up enough to block the canal, which can cause muffled hearing, fullness, itching or tinnitus — and that blockage is one of the more easily reversible causes of reduced hearing.
Most ears look after themselves. The problems we see usually come either from wax that has genuinely built up, or from attempts to remove it at home that push it deeper or irritate the canal.
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Who it may be for
- Your hearing feels suddenly muffled or blocked
- You have a sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear
- You produce wax quickly or wear hearing aids or earplugs regularly
- You want your ears checked before a hearing assessment
Common signs and symptoms
- Muffled or reduced hearing that came on over days
- A feeling of blockage or fullness
- Itchiness or mild discomfort in the canal
- Tinnitus that appeared alongside the blocked feeling
What happens during the appointment
A short history, including any ear surgery, perforation or infection
Examination of the canal and eardrum to see whether wax is genuinely the issue
Careful professional removal using an appropriate technique when indicated
A repeat look to confirm the canal and eardrum are healthy
Practical advice on what not to do at home
What to expect afterwards
Hearing often feels immediately clearer when a genuine blockage is cleared. If it does not, that is useful information too: it suggests the reduced hearing has another cause worth assessing.
Good to know
- Cotton buds and ear candles are widely discouraged: they can push wax deeper, irritate the canal or cause injury.
- Ear pain, discharge, bleeding or sudden hearing change is not routine wax care — seek prompt medical attention.
- If you have had ear surgery or a perforated eardrum, always say so before any ear cleaning.
Common questions
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