Signs of an Earwax Blockage
- Posted on: May 15 2019
We put so much attention on our eyes or our teeth, but our ears are generally just along for the ride. That is, until they start hurting. If your ears are bothering you, do you know what to do? Often, we can get a buildup of earwax and not realize it until things are uncomfortable. Keep reading to learn about earwax and how it can impact your hearing.
An earwax blockage happens when earwax accumulates in your ear or becomes too hard to wash away in the shower. Of course, earwax is a natural part of your body’s defenses. Earwax helps clean, lubricate and protect the ear canal by trapping dirt. It actually slows the growth of bacteria, too.
Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage may include:
- Earache
- Poor hearing in the affected ear
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Ringing or noises in the ear
If earwax blockage becomes painful and distracting, you or your doctor can remove the wax safely. If your eardrum is intact, some easy measures may help you remove excess earwax:
- Use an eyedropper to apply a couple drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear canal. This can soften the wax so it can come out easier.
- Use warm water. After a day or so, when the wax is soft, you can use a rubber-bulb syringe to squirt warm water into your ear canal very gently. Tilt your head and pull your outer ear up and back, to straighten your ear canal. Tip your head to the side to let the water drain out when you’re done. Then, dry your ear gently with a towel.
Your ear canal and eardrum can be damaged easily by too much earwax or by you trying to remove it harshly. Don’t try to remove ear wax yourself by putting anything into your ear canal, especially if you have had surgery on your ear, have a hole perforation in your eardrum, or are experiencing ear pain or drainage. Give us a call at 972.984.1050 to schedule a consultation if you’re experiencing pain you feel may be from earwax buildup.
Posted in: Ear Infection
