Impacted ear wax deserves attention! Here are the symptoms to look for.
Impacted ear wax is a condition that might not be too common, but it is common enough that it deserves mention. Besides, anyone with impacted ear wax needs suitable treatment to prevent further complications. If you think you might have this condition, learn about the signs of impacted ear wax below! If you need an audiologist to clean out your ears around Baltimore and Columbia, MD, Clarity Audiology is happy to be of assistance.
Signs of Impacted Ear Wax
Signs of impacted ear wax can include the following symptoms:
- Pain in the ear
- Feeling of fullness in the ear
- Hearing loss
- Itchiness in the ears
- Discharge from the ears
- Tinnitus
It is possible to have some but not all of these signs if you have impacted ear wax.Â
Causes of Impacted Ear Wax
There are multiple potential causes of impacted ear wax, many of which have to do with physiology. These common causes are the following:
- Narrow ear canals
- Hard and dry ear wax
- Hairy ear canals
- Frequent use of earplugs, earbuds, and/or hearing aids
- Frequent use of Q-Tips
Who Is Most Likely to Have Impacted Ear Wax?
Only about 5% of adults and 10% of children experience impacted ear wax. Even so, you are more likely to have this condition at some point or routinely if:
- You are over the age of 55
- You have narrow ear canals
- You have misshapen ear canals that inhibit natural ear wax drainage
- You frequently keep or put things in your ears
- You have a dry skin condition that affects your ears
- You have hairy ear canals
Treating Impacted Ear Wax
There are at-home methods of cleaning your ears to prevent or handle a cerumen blockage. You can conduct ear irrigation with a water tool or baby or mineral oil. You could also see an audiologist to use a specialized tool to clean them out for you. An audiologist’s precision will make the job safe and easy. If you prefer a professional ear cleaning and are in Maryland, Clarity Audiology is here for you!
Trust the Experts at Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions
Need help with your hearing? Clarity Hearing can help. Clarity Audiology & Hearing Solutions is an independently owned and operated clinic that focuses on quality of care and personalized, friendly service to the surrounding areas of Ellicott City, Catonsville, Columbia. Our Doctors of Audiology are highly trained with advanced degrees and take the time to provide the personalized care and attention that you need and deserve. We provide advanced hearing aid options that are personally calibrated with cutting-edge digital technology to fit your hearing loss, your unique ear anatomy, and your individual listening needs.
You can call us today to schedule a FREE Hearing Protection Consultation at 410-698-6594! For more blog posts, news, and updates, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.