Are you experiencing ear pain, hearing changes, mild whistling sounds (Tinnitus), or other annoying ear symptoms? Excessive ear wax could be the cause! Ear wax accumulation is a common problem that can lead to frustrating symptoms. But how do you know when it’s time to stop trying home treatments and seek professional medical help? This guide outlines the signs and symptoms indicating when to see your doctor for ear wax problems. Keep reading to learn when to get your ears checked and find relief from troublesome wax blockages.
Symptoms that May Indicate an Ear Wax Problems:
1. Ear Pain
A common symptom of impacted ear wax is ear pain. Pressure from a wax impaction can cause discomfort. The pain may be dull and mild or more intense. Ear pain from wax buildup often comes on gradually.
2. Hearing Loss
Built-up ear wax can block sound from reaching the eardrum. It can lead to partial hearing loss or deafness in the affected ear. The hearing loss often comes on slowly if it’s due to wax.
3. Tinnitus
Ringing, buzzing, roaring, or hissing sounds in the ear affected by the blockage. This symptom, known as tinnitus, results from irritation of the auditory nerve when wax blocks the ear canal. Like hearing loss, tinnitus from excess wax may develop gradually.
4. Itching
Some people experience itchiness in the ear canal from a wax impaction. The itchiness results from inflammation caused by the over-accumulated wax.
5. Ear Fullness or Pressure
A feeling like the ear is plugged up can accompany an ear wax blockage. It occurs from the wax obstruction, creating pressure in the ear canal.
6. Dizziness
In rare cases, significant wax buildup can cause dizziness or vertigo. This results from altered balance signals caused by the impaction interfering with the inner ear.
7. Coughing
Coughing can sometimes occur with impacted ear wax. It happens when the impaction irritates the vagus nerve, which supplies the ear canal and throat.
When to See a Doctor
See your physician or an ear, nose, and throat specialist if you experience any persistent ear symptoms, especially hearing loss, ear pain, dizziness, or ear ringing. While wax buildup is a common cause of these symptoms, it can also result from infections or other medical conditions that require prompt treatment. Getting professional ear wax removal High Wycombe when needed can help restore hearing and prevent complications.
If any of the following apply to you, get medical attention immediately:
- Sudden complete deafness in one or both ears
- Intense ear pain
- Bleeding or pus draining from the ear
- Fever along with ear pain or drainage
- Persistent headache, dizziness, or balance problems
- Facial weakness or numbness
These symptoms can indicate a severe problem like a ruptured eardrum, ear infection, or tumor. Prompt medical evaluation is crucial.
SelfCare Tips for Ear Wax Problems
To help prevent and treat minor wax buildup at home:
- Use over-the-counter ear drops to soften wax. Products containing carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide work well. Apply as directed.
- Rinse your ears with a rubber bulb ear syringe and warm water. It can help flush out softened wax.
- Never insert cotton swabs or other objects into your ear canal to remove wax. It risks damage and pushes wax deeper inside.
- Avoid sticking anything smaller than your elbow in your ear to clean it. It includes bobby pins, keys, paper clips, etc.
- Get your ears flushed by your doctor if excessive wax persists despite home treatments. Ear irrigation performed professionally is safe and effective.
- Don’t try removing tricky, dry wax at home. Seek medical wax removal.
- Schedule regular hearing tests and ear exams as you age to check for wax buildup.
Coughing or Throat Clearing
Excessive coughing or frequent throat clearing can sometimes occur with an ear wax impaction. The blockage can irritate the ear and throat nerves, triggering cough reflexes. If you need an ear, nose, and throat specialist for ear wax removal High Wycombe, be sure to search for one who has experience safely removing impacted wax.
Ear Infection Risk
Impacted wax can lead to infection in some cases. Built-up wax can trap moisture and dead skin in the ear canal, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Signs of possible infection warrant prompt medical care. These include fever, worsening pain, swelling, redness, foul-smelling drainage from the ear, and extreme tenderness of the outer ear when touched. An ENT doctor can prescribe antibiotic ear drops or oral antibiotics if an infection is present along with the blockage.
Conclusion
Seeing an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist is recommended if ear wax symptoms like pain, hearing changes, or ringing persist despite self-care. An ENT can painlessly remove stubborn wax under direct visualization. It provides immediate relief. They can also check for underlying ear wax problems like infections, benign tumors, or nerve problems contributing to your symptoms. Don’t ignore chronic ear problems—seek professional ENT help to get your ears back to healthy condition again.