Earwax is a natural substance that helps keep the ear healthy and maintain hearing. Sometimes the wax builds up, causing a few symptoms like ear discomfort, pain or hearing loss. Removing earwax that has built up can be difficult if it has become hard. Earwax should be soft, which is easy for the ear to to push out on its own. There are over-the-counter tools, like drops or cotton swabs, that can remove the wax. In more severe cases, a doctor may need to use special tools or wax softeners to withdraw the wax.
Wax Texture
Continuously finding bits of wax at the edge of the ear canal or in the surrounding outer ear crevices can be a sign of buildup deeper inside the ear. The wax may flake off or become crusty, even when withdrawn with cotton swabs or other removal methods.
Earache
Earwax buildup can cause different kinds of discomfort. Those suffering from earwax buildup may experience sharp pain, numbness, tingling, fullness or persistent pressure in the ear. Children and infants may cry from the ear pain. The crying may be worse at night when the head is horizontal, allowing the fluids to put more pressure against the wax lodged in the ear canal.
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is the medical term used for unusual sounds that occur only inside the affected ear. The Mayo Clinic elaborates that tinnitus is any noise that takes place in the ears. The sounds may be buzzing or ringing. Sometimes the noise is loud enough to be distracting but it can also be quiet. It is not unusual to notice the tinnitus more when trying to fall asleep when environmental noise is reduced.
Hearing Changes
Earwax buildup can prevent sounds from being heard clearly. This can lead to muffled or diminished hearing. Hearing loss can be temporary or it can get worse over time, explains the National Institutes of Health. Typically, hearing is restored once the wax has been removed.
