Earwax buildup: prevention and care

What is earwax and what does it do?

Earwax, known medically as cerumen, is a natural substance produced by the glands inside your ear canal. While it plays an important role in protecting your ears, too much of it can become a problem. Earwax buildup is one of the most common — and most overlooked — causes of hearing difficulties. Understanding what causes it, how to recognize it, and how to prevent it can make a real difference to your hearing health.

What causes earwax buildup in the ear?

Earwax buildup doesn't happen randomly. There are several factors that can interfere with the ear's natural self-cleaning process, causing wax to accumulate faster than the ear can clear it. Understanding these causes is the first step toward prevention.

Excessive production of earwax

Some people naturally produce more earwax than others. When the glands in the ear canal are overactive, the excess wax may not be able to migrate out quickly enough, leading to gradual accumulation. This tendency can be hereditary and may become more pronounced with age, as earwax tends to become drier and harder over time.

Narrow or curved ear canals

The shape of your ear canal plays a significant role in how easily wax can exit. People with narrower or more curved canals are more prone to buildup, simply because there is less space for the wax to travel through. This is also why some individuals experience recurring blockages even without doing anything to cause them.

Use of earbuds or hearing aids

Wearing earbuds, in-ear headphones or hearing aids for extended periods can block the natural outward flow of earwax. These devices can also push wax deeper into the canal, compressing it against the eardrum. If you use any of these regularly, it's worth paying extra attention to your ear hygiene and scheduling routine che

Cotton swab use

One of the most common misconceptions about ear care is that cotton swabs are an effective cleaning tool. In reality, they often do more harm than good. Rather than removing wax, swabs tend to push it further into the canal, where it compacts and becomes harder to remove naturally. Most hearing specialists recommend avoiding cotton swabs inside the ear canal altogether.

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Symptoms of earwax buildup

Knowing how to tell if you have earwax buildup isn't always straightforward, as symptoms tend to develop gradually and can easily be mistaken for other conditions. In many cases, the blockage becomes noticeable only once it is significant enough to interfere with your daily life. Here are the most common signs that may indicate you have earwax buildup:

A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear
Muffled or reduced hearing in one or both ears
Ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus)
Mild ear pain or discomfort
An itching sensation inside the ear canal
Dizziness or a sensation of imbalance

If you recognize one or more of these symptoms, it's important not to ignore them. While earwax buildup is rarely serious, it can worsen over time and, if left untreated, may lead to more significant hearing difficulties.

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Earwax buildup and hearing loss: what's the connection?

One of the less obvious but well-established effects of earwax buildup is its impact on hearing. When wax accumulates and hardens in the ear canal, it can partially or fully block the passage of sound waves to the eardrum. The result is a type of conductive hearing loss — meaning sound is physically obstructed rather than caused by damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve.

The good news is that this type of hearing loss is typically temporary and reversible. Once the blockage is safely removed by a hearing professional, most people notice an immediate improvement in their hearing. However, if the buildup is left untreated for a long time, it can cause irritation or inflammation that may complicate recovery.

This is why earwax-related hearing loss is often underdiagnosed — many people assume their hearing difficulties are due to age or noise exposure, when in fact the cause could be something as simple and treatable as earwax. A professional hearing assessment is the most reliable way to determine the root cause.

How to prevent buildup of earwax

While you can't always stop your ears from producing wax, there are several habits that can help reduce the risk of problematic buildup and keep your ear canals clear.

Safe cleaning habits

The outer ear — the part you can see and reach with a washcloth — can be gently cleaned as part of your regular hygiene routine. Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe around the outer ear and the entrance to the canal. Some people find that using a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil or a pharmacy-grade ear drop solution once or twice a week helps soften wax and encourages it to migrate out naturally. Always follow the instructions on the product and consult a professional if you're unsure.

What to avoid

Avoid inserting any object into your ear canal, including cotton swabs, bobby pins, or ear candles. These can damage the delicate skin lining the canal, push wax deeper, or even injure the eardrum. Ear candling, in particular, has no proven effectiveness and carries a risk of burns and blockage from candle wax residue.

If you regularly use earbuds or hearing aids, take breaks when possible and keep your devices clean to minimize the amount of wax they may push inward.

When to see a specialist

If you experience recurring buildup, significant hearing changes, pain, or if over-the-counter remedies aren't providing relief, it's time to see a hearing specialist. A professional can safely examine your ear canal, confirm whether a blockage is present, and remove it using appropriate techniques such as irrigation, microsuction or manual removal. Attempting to remove impacted wax at home can cause more harm than good.

Wax blocked ears remedies

How to get rid of built up earwax

When earwax has become impacted and cannot clear on its own, professional removal is the safest and most effective option. Hearing specialists have access to a range of techniques tailored to the individual:

Irrigation involves gently flushing the ear canal with warm water to dislodge and remove softened wax. It is commonly used when the wax is not too hard or deeply lodged.
Microsuction uses a small, low-pressure suction device to carefully extract wax from the canal. It is considered one of the safest methods, particularly for people with a history of ear problems or perforated eardrums.
Manual removal uses specialized instruments, such as a curette or forceps, to physically remove wax under direct visual guidance. This is typically performed by a trained audiologist or ear specialist.

In some cases, a professional may recommend pre-treatment with softening drops for a few days before the procedure to make removal easier and more comfortable.

When should you book a hearing test?

If you've been experiencing muffled hearing, a sense of fullness in your ears, or any of the symptoms described above, a professional hearing assessment is always a good first step. At Amplifon, our hearing specialists can examine your ears, identify any buildup, and recommend the most appropriate course of action — whether that's earwax removal, a full hearing evaluation, or both.

Hearing clearly matters. Don't wait for symptoms to get worse. Book a complimentary hearing test at your nearest Amplifon clinic in Canada today.

What is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear. It’s a common problem that can affect anyone. Also referred to as hearing impairment or deafness, hearing loss covers a wide range of categories and symptoms which can be caused by a variety of factors and circumstances.

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