KEEP CLEAR

What causes an earwax blockage and how can it affect your hearing? CAMILLA FOSTER finds out

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EARWAX blockages can lead to a whole range of irritating symptoms, including persistent itching, earaches, and even hearing difficulties.

What are some of the common causes of earwax blockages?

"Earwax blockages occur when the natural process of earwax expulsion is disrupted or when wax is produced in excessive amounts," says Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers.

"Frequent use of in-ear devices, such as headphones, can push earwax deeper into the canal, preventing its natural movement out of the ear."

Using cotton buds frequently can also cause issues

"Using Q-Tips (cotton buds) or putting your fingers in your ear is a major cause of earwax blockages," says Hannah Samuels, audiologist at Boots Hearingcare. ""Putting a Q-tip down your ear canal pushes wax around and down, which causes further build-up and makes it more difficult to remove."

How can earwax blockages affect hearing and overall ear health?

"Any obstructions in the ear canal or eardrum can cause temporary hearing loss or make sounds seem muffled, which can make it difficult to engage in conversations and everyday life," explains Gordon.