Condition
Clinical term: Cerumen impaction
Ear wax protects the ear canal, but sometimes it builds up and becomes impacted. This can cause blocked hearing, discomfort, and noise symptoms. Specialist review helps confirm the diagnosis and remove wax safely when needed.
Symptoms
Causes
Using cotton buds, which push wax deeper into the canal rather than removing it - one of the most common causes.
Wearing hearing aids or in-ear earphones regularly, which slows the natural outward migration of wax.
Narrow or tortuous ear canals making natural clearance more difficult - more common in older adults and some people with Down syndrome.
Simply producing more wax than average, or producing a drier, flakier wax consistency that is less likely to migrate naturally.
Schwartz SR et al. Clinical Practice Guideline: Earwax (Cerumen Impaction). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2017;156(1 Suppl):S1-S29.
When to seek help
Arrange review if hearing feels blocked, symptoms keep recurring, or you have pain, discharge, or previous eardrum problems. Avoid self-instrumentation inside the ear canal, particularly if you have had prior ear surgery or a known eardrum perforation.
Treatment
Management may include softening drops when appropriate and wax removal under direct vision, often with microsuction. Technique is chosen based on ear history, eardrum status, and comfort. Ongoing prevention advice is provided for patients who experience repeated buildup.
Related procedures
Choosing your surgeon
Choosing the right specialist takes thought. Fellowship training, experience with the relevant condition, and contribution to teaching and research are all meaningful indicators. A public appointment at a tertiary hospital is another recognised marker of professional standing. Online reviews can be helpful, but they don't tell the whole story.