When a person experiences hearing loss, it starts with minor signs. At first, conversations sound muffled, and TV shows don’t come through as clearly. There’s no ringing sensation or pain, but more like a strange feeling that something is off with hearing.
Many people cover this up, making excuses like tiredness or the need to clean out their earbuds. But the answer can be something else, which is earwax. It might not attract a lot of attention, but the buildup of earwax is the reason why many people experience temporary hearing loss. It’s more common than they might think, and this article covers how it happens.
What Is Earwax, and Why Is It There?
No one really cared about earwax, but they don’t know that it’s very important to a person’s hearing health. Also known as cerumen, earwax is a mix of skin cells, oils, and secretions produced by the glands in the ear canal. It’s meant to trap all forms of dust, debris, and small insects that might try to enter the ear.
It also has the role of preventing infections and keeping the ear canal moisturized. Normally, it’s meant to come out of the ear naturally, but there are cases when the process slows down or stops completely. If that happens, the wax builds up, causing hearing to change.
How Buildup Starts and Why It Affects Hearing
There isn’t one single cause behind earwax buildup. Some just have more wax than others, which causes the excess to collect over time. In other cases, they try to clean their ears with cotton swabs and end up pushing the wax deeper into the canal. Even earbuds and hearing aids can push the wax in.
Once the wax becomes hardened, it blocks the ear canal, and this stops sound from traveling into the ear canal and the brain. It creates a feeling of dullness or reduced hearing. It’s not easy to notice this sign, as the buildup is gradual. But once more wax collects, the effect on hearing is more obvious.
Signs That Wax Might Be the Culprit
Temporary hearing loss caused by earwax buildup only has a few symptoms. It could be noticed due to muffled sounds. Some people also feel like water is stuck in the ear or that everything sounds more distant than normal.
Some feel like they’re underwater or that the ear is full of water. Eventually, the earwax leads to itching, discomfort, or dizziness. If there hasn’t been a cold or exposure to loud noise, and hearing feels off all of a sudden, the culprit might be earwax.
Why Professional Removal Is the Best Option
Many people try to remove earwax with cotton swabs or some trending and over-the-counter remedies, but in many cases, they do more harm than good. The cotton swabs push wax deeper into the ear, making everything worse. Ear drops might also not be good when the wax is too hard.
It’s best to contact a hearing health professional who offers a safe and clean removal process. Professionals can use tools to gently remove wax without hurting the ear. More importantly, they can figure out if something else is causing the hearing loss and then provide the right steps.
When Buildup Happens Again and What to Do About It
Some people have a long-lasting issue with earwax buildup. It happens to them multiple times a year, especially for those who naturally produce more wax or wear earplugs or hearing aids regularly.
Scheduling occasional cleanings with a hearing health professional will prevent any form of blockage before it begins. Also, avoiding cotton swabs and leaving the ears to clean themselves naturally offers a healthy wax movement.
Getting Back to Clear Hearing and Staying Ahead
Once the wax is removed, the difference is usually immediate. Sounds return to their normal volume, and that foggy feeling clears. It’s a reminder of how something as simple as earwax can have a big impact. Temporary hearing loss caused by wax is not only common but also highly treatable.
However, letting it go unaddressed can lead to further discomfort or confusion. Anyone experiencing changes in hearing, even small ones, can benefit from getting checked. A professional consultation brings peace of mind and supports long-term ear health.