Medical Insight

Is it Hearing Loss or Just a Blockage?

Is it Hearing Loss or Just a Blockage?

Is it Hearing Loss or Just a Blockage?

Understanding the Common Causes

Yassin El-leissy
Yassin El-leissy 5 min read

Experiencing muffled hearing or difficulty in conversations can be concerning. Often, what feels like hearing loss is actually a common, temporary issue: earwax buildup.

Knowing the difference is key to addressing your hearing effectively.

Experiencing muffled hearing or difficulty in conversations can be concerning. Often, what feels like hearing loss is actually a common, temporary issue: earwax buildup.

Knowing the difference is key to addressing your hearing effectively.

Ringing
Buzzing
Humming
Ringing
Buzzing
Humming
Ringing
Buzzing
Humming

Common Symptoms of Earwax Blockage

Earwax (cerumen) is a natural substance that protects the ear canal. However, it can sometimes accumulate and form a blockage. When this occurs, the symptoms can often mimic those of hearing loss. Key indicators of earwax blockage include:

  • Muffled or Reduced Hearing: This can occur suddenly or gradually.

  • Sensation of Fullness in the Ear: A feeling of pressure or blockage.

  • Tinnitus: A ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound.

  • Earache: Mild discomfort or pain.

  • Dizziness (Vertigo): Feelings of unsteadiness.

  • Autophony: Your own voice sounding louder or echoing.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, a professional check for earwax is often recommended as an initial step.

1
Physical ObstructionImpacted wax acts like a dense wall, physically stopping sound waves from traveling down the canal to vibrate the eardrum.
2
Frequency DampeningUnlike nerve damage, the ear is healthy, but the "volume knob" is turned down because the sound energy is absorbed by the plug before it hits the drum.
1
Physical ObstructionImpacted wax acts like a dense wall, physically stopping sound waves from traveling down the canal to vibrate the eardrum.
2
Frequency DampeningUnlike nerve damage, the ear is healthy, but the "volume knob" is turned down because the sound energy is absorbed by the plug before it hits the drum.
1
Physical ObstructionImpacted wax acts like a dense wall, physically stopping sound waves from traveling down the canal to vibrate the eardrum.
2
Frequency DampeningUnlike nerve damage, the ear is healthy, but the "volume knob" is turned down because the sound energy is absorbed by the plug before it hits the drum.

When is it an Emergency?

While gradual hearing decline is often age-related or due to slow wax accumulation, Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a medical emergency. It is critical to distinguish between a physical "plug" and a nerve issue immediately to prevent permanent damage.

Seek Urgent Care If:
  • You experience a sudden, sharp drop in hearing (over minutes or hours).
  • The hearing loss is accompanied by severe dizziness or vertigo.
  • There is pain, discharge, or bleeding from the ear.
Seek Urgent Care If:
  • You experience a sudden, sharp drop in hearing (over minutes or hours).
  • The hearing loss is accompanied by severe dizziness or vertigo.
  • There is pain, discharge, or bleeding from the ear.
Seek Urgent Care If:
  • You experience a sudden, sharp drop in hearing (over minutes or hours).
  • The hearing loss is accompanied by severe dizziness or vertigo.
  • There is pain, discharge, or bleeding from the ear.

Clinical Management & Exclusion

If your tinnitus has started recently alongside a feeling of "fullness," a professional ear examination is the first step. Removing the obstruction often provides immediate relief or significantly reduces the volume of the ringing.

"Many patients arrive fearing they are going deaf, only to have their hearing fully restored in minutes once the blockage is removed."

Book a mobile clinical assessment. We use high-definition video otoscopy to check for blockages against the eardrum.

Book a Clinical AssessmentLearn about our 'No Wax, No Fee' policy

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