At Just Hearing Derby, we often see patients who are surprised to learn that something as simple as earwax could be affecting their hearing and ear health. While earwax plays an essential role in protecting your ears, a build-up can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms.These symptoms are easy to ignore at first, but these small annoyances can quickly build up. So we thought it’s about time we gave some straightforward advice about the top signs you might need ear wax removal.
We’ve kept it simple, no fluff, just the real experiences of our patients and what our experts see every week.
1. A Feeling of Blocked Ears
Ever had that heavy, dull feeling where it seems like your ear just won’t pop? It can feel as though something is physically stopping sounds from reaching your ear properly. Sometimes this feeling can come and go, creep up gradually or be sudden. This blocked ear feeling can affect your ability to watch TV or have a conversation with friends. The good news is it could just be wax! Once removed, the relief can be instant.
2. Muffled or Reduced Hearing
We’ve had people come to us at Just Hearing Derby convinced they’ve lost their hearing for good and are shocked when we show them it is just wax! Our video otoscopes record and show you what is going on in your ears.
Ear wax can act like a plug and stop sound waves from reaching the eardrum properly. It makes everyday sounds seem distant or muffled - like your fingers are in your ears. Once the wax is cleared, people often can’t believe how clear things sound once again. One gentleman even said he was surprised he could hear the ticking of his watch for the first time in years!
3. Tinnitus or Ringing Sounds
Another sign of blocked ears can be tinnitus. That means a sound heard that is not from your surroundings. Tinnitus can be described as a wide range of sounds including: ringing, buzzing or humming noises in your ears.
Understandably, a lot of people get very worried about this, thinking it’s something permanent. We always say don’t panic. Sometimes, a build-up of wax can press against the eardrum and cause these noises. Once we’ve safely removed the blockage, the noises usually disappear. One patient told us the ringing had driven them mad for weeks and was gone in minutes after treatment.
4. Itchy or Uncomfortable Ears
An itch deep inside the ear can drive anyone mad. It’s not something most people want to talk about but it happens a lot.
Often, it’s your ear telling you wax or dry skin is starting to build up in your ears. We always tell people not to poke around with cotton buds (as nothing smaller than your elbow should go in your ears). Cotton buds can push the wax further down and make things worse. One lady said she had tried everything including a paperclip! We stopped her right there! If your ears feel sore, itchy, or irritated for more than a day or two, it’s time to make an appointment and let us check them properly.
5. Tickly Cough
It might sound surprising, but a stubborn, unexplained cough can sometimes be caused by earwax pressing on a nerve in the ear canal. This reflex, known as the ear-cough reflex, can occur if wax build-up triggers the vagus nerve in your ear canal. If your cough won’t go away and other causes have been ruled out, it’s worth considering whether earwax might be the hidden culprit.
What To Do Next:
If any of these signs sound familiar, it’s nothing to be embarrassed about. We see people every day from across Derby who are relieved to finally get their ears cleared and hearing back.
Our team at Just Hearing Derby offers gentle, professional ear wax removal using the latest techniques including microsuction. This procedure is quick and often people tell us they wished they had booked in sooner. Don’t wait for it to get worse. If something feels off with your ears, we’re here to help. Book your appointment with Just Hearing Derby today
