How to Know When Earwax is Excessive and What to Do About It?

Here at BFG Hearing Solutions, we support residential communities and care homes in the Northeast of England with their residents’ auditory needs. This blog aims to help illuminate why it’s vital to keep an eye on your ear health and how to treat any problems so your clients or residents can feel their best.

Earwax is a natural substance produced by the glands in the ear canal. It’s produced to maintain ear health by trapping dust and preventing harmful microorganisms from entering the ear. However, if too much of this wax is produced, it can lead to discomfort, hearing problems, and even painful infections. The expert team at BFG Hearing Solutions can help you learn how to identify when earwax becomes excessive and discuss effective ways to manage it.

Signs of Excessive Earwax:

Hearing Loss: 

One of the most common, and concerning, signs of excessive earwax is a gradual or sudden decrease in hearing. The wax build up can block the ear canal, affecting the transmission of sound waves. Keep a look out for the radio or television needing to be louder than usual or if your resident is struggling to hear you.

Earache or Pain: 

If you experience pain or discomfort in your ears, it could be a sign of too much earwax. The wax may press against the sensitive ear canal, causing irritation.

Ringing in the Ear: Excessive earwax can lead to tinnitus, a condition characterised by ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds in the ears that can be incredibly irritating and distressing.

Nausea and Dizziness: 

In some cases, the wax can disrupt the normal functioning of the ear, which can lead to feeling unbalanced, dizzy and even nauseous.

What to Do About Excessive Earwax:

So now you know what you’re looking out for, how do you help residents who may be suffering?

Don’t Put Anything in your Ears: Believe us, we understand how temping it is to try and clean your ears using a cotton bud or other objects you find around the house, but this can force the wax deeper and make the problem even worse and even more painful. Keep to cleaning the outer ear and only trust the professionals with any other part of it!

Get the Professionals Involved: If you’re based in the Northeast, the auditory experts at BFG Hearing Solutions are the team to offer friendly, professional services that will bring comfort and relief to residents throughout the region.

If you think excess ear wax could be causing discomfort to you or your residents, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team to organise a friendly chat.