If you wear hearing aids and suddenly notice that sounds seem quieter, conversations are less clear or your hearing aid does not seem to be performing as it normally does, it can be easy to assume that there is a problem with the device.
However, one possible reason for a change in hearing can be ear wax build-up.
Ear wax is a natural substance that helps protect the ear canal. It normally moves gradually towards the outside of the ear, where it can leave naturally. However, some people produce more wax than others, and certain factors can make it harder for wax to move out of the ear.
For people who wear hearing aids, this can sometimes become more noticeable.
A hearing aid sits in or around the ear, depending on its design, and may affect the natural movement of wax. If wax accumulates, it can potentially contribute to a blocked sensation, muffled hearing or changes in how your hearing aid seems to work.
This does not mean that hearing aids automatically cause excessive ear wax, and not every hearing-aid user will experience regular blockages. However, if you regularly struggle with ear wax, understanding the relationship between ear wax and hearing aids can help you recognise when professional advice may be appropriate.
At Staffordshire Microsuction, professional ear wax removal is available in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, including microsuction, warm-water irrigation and mobile appointments for eligible patients.
Why Is Ear Wax Important?
Before discussing ear wax and hearing aids, it is important to understand that ear wax itself is not a bad thing.
Ear wax, also known as cerumen, is produced naturally inside the ear canal. It helps protect the delicate skin inside the ear and can trap dust, debris and other particles.
Your ears also have a natural process for moving older wax towards the entrance of the ear.
This means that most people do not need to routinely clean deep inside their ears.
The problem occurs when wax builds up faster than it can naturally leave.
For some people, this may happen because they naturally produce more wax. Other factors can include the shape of the ear canal, previous attempts to remove wax or the use of hearing aids.
Once wax becomes impacted, it can potentially interfere with normal hearing.
This is particularly noticeable for someone who already relies on a hearing aid to hear clearly.
Can Hearing Aids Cause Ear Wax Build-Up?
Hearing aids do not necessarily cause your ears to produce more wax.
Instead, they can sometimes affect how wax behaves within the ear.
Depending on the type of hearing aid, part of the device may sit inside the ear canal or cover the entrance to it. This can potentially interfere with the normal outward movement of wax.
If you are already someone who naturally produces a lot of ear wax, this may contribute to a greater tendency for wax to remain inside the ear.
There is another important consideration.
Hearing-aid users may notice the effects of wax more quickly because even a relatively small blockage can change the way sound reaches the ear.
You might therefore notice that your hearing aid seems less effective even though the device itself has not developed a fault.
If this happens, it is worth considering both possibilities rather than immediately assuming that your hearing aid needs repairing or replacing.
How Can Ear Wax Affect a Hearing Aid?
There are several ways that ear wax may affect the hearing experience of someone who uses a hearing aid.
Muffled or Reduced Hearing
One of the most obvious symptoms of significant ear wax build-up is muffled hearing.
If the ear canal becomes blocked, sounds may not travel through the ear in the same way.
For someone using a hearing aid, this can make the change particularly frustrating.
You may find yourself increasing the volume of the device or struggling more than usual to understand conversations.
However, it is important to remember that reduced hearing has many possible causes. You should not automatically assume that wax is responsible.
An ear examination can help determine whether there is significant wax in the canal.
Your Hearing Aid May Seem Less Effective
Another common concern is that a hearing aid suddenly does not seem to work as well.
You may notice that:
- Speech sounds less clear.
- The volume seems lower.
- Background sounds seem different.
- You need to turn the device up.
- Your usual settings no longer seem sufficient.
These changes can sometimes be associated with wax obstruction, although they can also have other causes.
Before making major changes to your hearing-aid settings, it can therefore be sensible to establish whether your ears are blocked.
Increased Feedback or Whistling
Hearing-aid users may also notice feedback or whistling.
There are several possible explanations for this, including the fit of the device, its settings or a problem with the hearing aid itself.
Ear wax can also be relevant in some circumstances.
If your hearing aid has suddenly started behaving differently, it is worth checking the basics first and seeking appropriate advice if the problem continues.
Don’t automatically assume that you need a new hearing aid.
Sometimes the issue may be related to the ear rather than the device.
Why Should You Avoid Cotton Buds If You Wear Hearing Aids?
When your ear feels blocked, the temptation can be to reach for a cotton bud.
However, putting cotton buds into the ear canal can push wax further inside rather than removing it.
Repeated attempts can compact wax and potentially make an existing blockage harder to resolve.
There is also the possibility of irritating the delicate skin inside the ear.
For hearing-aid users, this can create an additional problem because you may continue trying to clean the ear whenever your hearing aid seems less effective.
This can result in a cycle where you repeatedly interfere with the ear instead of identifying the actual cause.
Staffordshire Microsuction already has an article specifically discussing Why DIY Ear Wax Removal Can Do More Harm Than Good, which is useful further reading if you have been attempting to remove wax yourself.
The safest approach is generally to avoid putting objects into the ear canal and seek appropriate advice if you believe wax has become impacted.
Do Hearing Aid Users Need Regular Ear Wax Removal?
Not necessarily.
Simply wearing a hearing aid does not mean that you need to have your ears professionally cleaned every few months.
Ear wax is natural and has an important protective function.
The frequency with which someone requires professional ear wax removal varies from person to person.
Some people may experience frequent build-up, while others may rarely have a problem.
Factors that can affect this include:
- Natural wax production
- Ear canal shape
- Age
- Hearing-aid use
- Previous ear problems
- Attempts to clean the ears
- How quickly wax becomes impacted
The best approach is therefore not to assume that everyone needs treatment at exactly the same interval.
Instead, pay attention to recurring symptoms and follow appropriate professional advice.
Staffordshire Microsuction’s existing article, How Often Should You Have Ear Wax Removed? Expert Advice for Staffordshire Residents, discusses why the frequency of treatment can differ between individuals.
What Are the Signs That Wax May Be Affecting Your Hearing Aid?
If you wear a hearing aid, you may want to consider whether ear wax could be contributing to the problem if you experience a combination of symptoms.
These can include:
- A blocked sensation in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- A feeling of pressure
- Reduced clarity
- Your hearing aid suddenly seeming less effective
- Increased feedback or whistling
- Difficulty understanding conversations
- Ringing or buzzing sounds
However, these symptoms do not prove that ear wax is responsible.
For example, a change in hearing could have another underlying cause.
This is why professional examination is important.
At Staffordshire Microsuction, the initial consultation includes assessing the wax build-up and checking for signs of infection or trauma before treatment is carried out.
What Should You Do If Your Hearing Aid Suddenly Stops Working Properly?
If your hearing aid suddenly seems less effective, don’t immediately assume that ear wax is the cause.
There are several simple checks you can make first.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to make sure the device is correctly fitted, clean and functioning properly.
If the problem continues, consider whether you are also experiencing symptoms in the ear itself.
For example, perhaps your ear feels blocked or your hearing has changed.
If so, an ear examination can help establish whether wax is present.
This is particularly useful because removing wax unnecessarily is not the aim. The first step should be finding out what is actually causing the problem.
If significant wax is found and professional removal is considered appropriate, Staffordshire Microsuction offers both microsuction and warm-water irrigation.
Is Microsuction Suitable for People With Hearing Aids?
Microsuction is one of the professional ear wax removal options available from Staffordshire Microsuction.
The procedure uses a small suction device to carefully remove excess ear wax from the ear canal.
One of the advantages of microsuction is that the practitioner can work while directly viewing the ear canal.
Staffordshire Microsuction states that microsuction is suitable for patients with hearing aids, as well as people with certain other ear conditions.
However, the appropriate treatment should always depend on an examination of the individual ear.
If you wear hearing aids and believe that wax is affecting your hearing, the first step is to have the ear assessed.
The practitioner can then determine whether there is enough wax to warrant removal and which method is most appropriate.
What Happens During a Professional Ear Wax Removal Appointment?
If you have never had professional ear wax removal before, you may be unsure what to expect.
The appointment normally begins with questions about your symptoms and ear history.
You may be asked whether you:
- Wear hearing aids
- Have experienced ear infections
- Have noticed changes in your hearing
- Have had wax removed previously
- Have used olive oil or other ear drops
- Have experienced blocked ears
Your ears can then be examined to determine whether wax is present.
If treatment is appropriate, the clinician can explain the available options.
Staffordshire Microsuction provides microsuction and warm-water irrigation as part of its ear wax removal services.
If you are attending your first appointment, you can also read What Happens During Your First Microsuction Appointment? for more information about what happens before, during and after treatment.
Can Ear Wax Removal Improve Hearing Aid Performance?
If impacted ear wax is contributing to your hearing difficulties, removing the blockage may improve the way you hear.
Some patients notice that sounds become clearer once obstructing wax has been removed.
However, it is important not to make promises about the result.
If your hearing difficulties have another cause, removing wax will not necessarily resolve them.
This is why an examination before treatment is valuable.
The purpose of professional ear wax removal is not simply to remove anything that can be seen inside the ear. It is to identify whether wax is causing a problem and whether treatment is appropriate.
If your hearing remains reduced after the ear has been cleared, you may need to seek further advice about your hearing.
What About Hearing Aid Cleaning?
Looking after the hearing aid itself is just as important as looking after your ears.
Always follow the cleaning and maintenance instructions provided by the hearing-aid manufacturer or hearing-care professional.
If wax is visible on the hearing aid, clean it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Do not insert the device further into the ear in an attempt to bypass a blockage.
Likewise, do not use cotton buds or other objects to clean deep inside the ear.
Your hearing aid and your ear are connected parts of your hearing system, but they require different types of care.
If you are unsure whether the problem is with your hearing aid or your ear, professional advice can help identify the difference.
How Can Hearing Aid Users Reduce the Risk of Wax Problems?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent ear wax from accumulating.
However, good ear-care habits can help you avoid making the situation worse.
Avoid inserting objects into the ear
Cotton buds and other objects can push wax deeper into the canal.
Keep your hearing aids maintained
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
Pay attention to changes
If your hearing aid suddenly sounds different, consider whether your ear also feels blocked or uncomfortable.
Don’t ignore recurring symptoms
If the same problem keeps returning, professional advice may help identify whether recurring wax build-up is contributing.
Don’t remove wax unnecessarily
Healthy ears naturally contain wax. The objective is not to make the ear completely free of wax but to address problematic build-up when appropriate.
When Should Hearing Aid Users Consider Professional Ear Wax Removal?
You may want to seek professional advice if you regularly experience:
- Blocked ears
- Muffled hearing
- Ear pressure
- Repeated wax build-up
- Difficulty using your hearing aid
- Sudden changes in hearing-aid performance
- Persistent feedback
- Difficulty hearing conversations clearly
It is particularly important not to assume that every hearing problem is caused by wax.
If you have a sudden or significant change in hearing, appropriate medical advice should be sought rather than simply arranging wax removal.
For suspected wax build-up, however, a professional ear examination can determine whether there is a blockage.
Staffordshire Microsuction provides ear wax removal in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, including microsuction and warm-water irrigation. The clinic also offers mobile visits on Thursdays within a 20-mile radius.
Mobile Ear Wax Removal for Hearing Aid Users
For some hearing-aid users, travelling to a clinic can be difficult.
This can be particularly relevant for older people, people with reduced mobility or residents of care homes.
Staffordshire Microsuction offers a mobile ear wax removal service for eligible patients.
The service allows professional ear care to be provided in the patient’s home.
The clinic states that mobile visits are available on Thursdays within a 20-mile radius.
For someone who relies on hearing aids and is struggling with a possible wax blockage, having access to professional care at home can make the process more convenient.
Ear Wax and Hearing Aids: Don’t Assume Your Device Is the Problem
Hearing aids can make everyday communication much easier, so noticing that your device suddenly seems less effective can be frustrating.
While the hearing aid itself may sometimes be responsible, ear wax can also contribute to changes in hearing or the way a device performs.
Hearing aids do not automatically mean that you will develop excessive wax, but some users may be more prone to experiencing noticeable problems when wax accumulates.
If your ear feels blocked, your hearing becomes muffled or your hearing aid starts behaving differently, avoid trying to dig the wax out yourself.
Instead, have your ears professionally assessed.
Staffordshire Microsuction provides professional ear wax removal in Staffordshire, including microsuction in Stoke-on-Trent and warm-water irrigation. Mobile appointments are also available for eligible patients.
You can book an appointment with Staffordshire Microsuction online or contact the clinic if you would like further information about the available services.
Taking the time to establish whether wax is actually responsible for the problem can help you avoid unnecessary treatment and ensure that your hearing concerns receive the appropriate attention.