The following advice may be difficult to hear… particularly if you’re prone to earwax buildup.
Maybe you’ve noticed a gradual muffling of sounds, or you’ve been unsuccessfully digging at your ear with a cotton swab for days. Whether you’re feeling off balance, can’t hear well, or just feel like something’s “stuck in there,” it might not be your headphones or allergies. It could be compacted earwax.
What Is Earwax and Why Do We Have It?
Earwax—also known as cerumen—is a natural substance produced by glands in the ear canal. While it often gets a bad rap, it plays an important role in:
- Protecting the ear from dust, debris, and microorganisms.
- Lubricating the ear canal.
- Cleaning itself out (yes, your ears are usually self-cleaning!)
But sometimes, that system fails. The wax becomes hard, dry, or impacted, leading to symptoms that can disrupt your day.
Signs of Excess Earwax Buildup
Not everyone with earwax buildup will feel symptoms right away. However, you might notice:
- Muffled hearing or partial hearing loss in one or both ears.
- Earache or fullness in the ear.
- Itching or irritation.
- Ringing (tinnitus).
- Dizziness or imbalance.
- Coughing, due to stimulation of the ear canal’s nerves.
If you’ve tried cleaning your ears and symptoms persist—or get worse—it may be time to seek help.
What Causes Earwax to Build Up or Become Impacted?
A few factors can interfere with your ear’s self-cleaning system:
- Frequent use of cotton swabs, hearing aids, earplugs, or earbuds (which can push wax deeper).
- Naturally narrow or curved ear canals.
- Excess earwax production, which can happen with stress or age.
- Skin conditions like eczema or swimmer’s ear.
- Working in dusty environments
Home Remedies: What’s Safe and What’s Not
Mild cases of earwax buildup may resolve on their own, or with safe over-the-counter options such as:
- Ear drops (mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide).
- Warm water irrigation (using a bulb syringe—never high-pressure devices).
You will want to avoid the following, though:
- Inserting cotton swabs, bobby pins, or other objects into the ear.
- Using ear candles (dangerous and ineffective).
- Attempting irrigation if you have ear tubes, perforated eardrum, or recent surgery.
Should I Go to Urgent Care for Earwax Buildup?
Visit urgent care if:
- You have significant hearing loss or pain.
- Symptoms are not improving with home treatment.
- You feel pressure, dizziness, or ringing.
- You suspect impaction from hearing aids or earplugs.
- You’re at higher risk for complications, such as children, older adults, or people with diabetes.
At FirstCall Medical Center, we provide quick, gentle, and professional earwax removal. Our experienced urgent care team can:
- Use safe removal techniques, including irrigation or manual extraction.
- Rule out other causes of hearing loss or pain (like infection).
- Provide education on ear care and preventing future buildup.
- Offer follow-up care for chronic wax problems or ENT referral if needed.
Best of all? No appointment necessary.
Earwax may be natural, but when it starts to interfere with your hearing or comfort, it’s time to act. If at-home remedies aren’t working—or are making things worse—don’t hesitate to visit urgent care. FirstCall Medical Center is here to help you hear clearly again, safely and effectively.
