When your ear makes too much cerumen, the natural wax your ears produce to protect the ear canal. Also known as earwax, it usually moves out on its own—but sometimes it gets stuck, causing discomfort or even hearing loss. This is called a cerumen blockage, and it’s more common than you think. You don’t need to be old or unhygienic to get one. Even people who clean their ears regularly can end up with a plug because cotton swabs often push wax deeper instead of removing it.
Many people don’t realize that impacted earwax, a severe form of cerumen blockage that presses against the eardrum can mimic other issues like tinnitus, vertigo, or even an ear infection. If you’ve been told your hearing is fine but you still feel muffled, or if you get ear pain after swimming or showering, it might not be an infection—it’s probably wax. Ear cleaning, the process of safely removing excess wax without damaging the ear canal isn’t about scrubbing inside your ear. It’s about knowing when to leave it alone and when to get help.
Most cases of cerumen blockage don’t need surgery or strong tools. Simple solutions like over-the-counter drops that soften wax, or gentle irrigation done by a nurse or doctor, work better than Q-tips. But if you’ve tried home remedies and still feel blocked, or if you have diabetes, a history of ear surgery, or a perforated eardrum, you shouldn’t guess—you need professional care. Ignoring it can lead to temporary hearing loss or infection. And if you wear hearing aids, you’re at higher risk: wax builds up faster and can damage the device.
The truth is, your ears are designed to clean themselves. The skin in your ear canal slowly moves outward, carrying wax with it. But if you use earbuds all day, wear hearing aids, or have narrow ear canals, that natural process gets blocked. That’s when wax piles up and hardens. You might notice it when your voice sounds louder in your head, or when you can’t hear high-pitched sounds like birds or children’s voices.
What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of miracle cures. It’s real, practical advice from people who’ve dealt with this, and experts who’ve seen the mistakes others make. You’ll learn how to tell if it’s wax or something else, what products actually work (and which ones to avoid), and how to prevent it from coming back. No fluff. No fear-mongering. Just what you need to know to protect your hearing and feel comfortable again.
Earwax impaction causes hearing loss, earaches, and dizziness - often from trying to clean your ears. Learn the safe ways to remove it, what not to do, and when to see a doctor.