Ear wax has a bad reputation, but it’s actually doing you a favour. It traps dust and dirt, keeps the ear canal moisturised, and helps protect against infection, and most of the time your ears clear it naturally without you ever noticing. Occasionally, though, wax builds up faster than it can leave, hardens, and blocks the canal and that’s when problems start.
This is known as impacted ear wax, and it’s one of the most common ear complaints. The good news is that it’s usually straightforward to treat. Here’s how to recognise it, what causes it, and the safe ways to deal with it.
What is impacted ear wax?
Impacted ear wax is a build-up of hardened wax that partially or fully blocks the ear canal. Normally, wax gradually works its way to the outer ear on its own, carrying debris with it. When that natural process is disrupted or too much wax is produced, it can accumulate, dry out and become compacted against the eardrum, causing a range of uncomfortable symptoms.
Symptoms of impacted ear wax
A blockage can cause one or several of the following:
- A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
- Muffled or reduced hearing
- Earache or general discomfort
- Tinnitus: ringing, buzzing or humming in the ear
- Itchiness inside the ear
- Dizziness in some cases
- Occasionally a cough, when wax irritates the ear canal
Symptoms often affect one ear more than the other, and they tend to come on gradually as the wax builds. If wax leads to an infection, you may also notice pain or discharge, which needs prompt attention.
What causes impacted ear wax?
Some people are simply more prone to wax build-up than others. Common causes include:
- Narrow or curved ear canals, which make it harder for wax to clear naturally.
- Producing more wax than average, or naturally drier, harder wax which becomes more common with age.
- Using cotton buds, which push wax deeper into the canal and compact it, being one of the biggest culprits.
- Wearing hearing aids, earplugs or earphones, which can block the wax’s natural exit and press it inward.
- Skin conditions such as eczema, which can affect the ear canal.
Treatment options
The right treatment depends on how severe the blockage is, but there are two main approaches.
Softening drops. For milder build-up, over-the-counter drops such as olive oil can soften the wax and help it clear naturally over a few days. This is often a sensible first step, though it works best for mild cases and isn’t suitable for everyone you should avoid drops if you have a perforated eardrum, an ear infection or discharge.
Professional removal. For stubborn or fully impacted wax, professional removal is the safest and most effective option. The most common method is microsuction a gentle, water-free technique in which an audiologist uses a small suction device and magnification to remove the wax precisely and comfortably. Other professional methods include irrigation (a controlled flow of warm water) and manual removal using fine instruments. A professional can also confirm that wax really is the cause and check your ear is otherwise healthy.
One thing to avoid entirely: never try to dig wax out with cotton buds, and steer clear of ear candling, which has no proven benefit and carries a real risk of burns and injury.
When to see a professional
It’s worth getting your ears seen by an audiologist or GP if:
- Your symptoms don’t improve after using softening drops as directed
- You have persistent blocked ears, reduced hearing or discomfort
- Wax build-up keeps returning
- You wear hearing aids and are prone to blockages
Some symptoms need more urgent attention. See a GP or contact NHS 111 promptly if you have ear pain, discharge or bleeding, and treat sudden hearing loss especially in one ear over hours or days as an emergency, as prompt care can make a real difference.
Getting your ears cleared
Impacted ear wax is common, usually harmless, and easy to resolve with the right care there’s no need to put up with blocked ears or muffled hearing. If drops haven’t done the job, or you’d simply prefer it dealt with properly and quickly, professional removal is safe, comfortable and effective.
At Hearing Health Hub in Milton Keynes, our qualified audiologists provide safe, gentle ear wax removal by microsuction, starting with a full examination of your ears so you know exactly what’s going on. Get in touch to book an appointment and enjoy clearer hearing again.
This article is general information about ear wax and does not replace personal medical advice. If you have ear pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss or any concern about your ears, please consult a qualified audiologist or your GP.
FAQs
-
How do you get rid of impacted ear wax?
Mild build-up can often be softened and cleared with drops such as olive oil over a few days. For stubborn or fully impacted wax, professional removal — most commonly microsuction — is the safest and most effective option. Avoid cotton buds and ear candling, which can make things worse.
-
Can impacted ear wax clear on its own?
Mild build-up may clear naturally or with softening drops, but fully impacted wax usually needs professional removal, as it's too compacted to shift on its own. If symptoms persist, see an audiologist rather than trying to dig it out.
-
Is impacted ear wax serious?
It's usually not serious, but it can cause uncomfortable symptoms and, if left, may lead to infection or affect your hearing. Persistent symptoms, pain or discharge should be checked by a professional, and sudden hearing loss needs urgent medical attention