A build-up of ear wax can cause a multitude of issues including tinnitus. We will discuss how ear wax and tinnitus are related and can ear wax removal methods cause tinnitus.
The Link Between Tinnitus & Ear Wax
Ear wax is produced by glands in the ears with the purpose of keeping the ear clean of debris. The ear wax generally makes its way out of the ear canal and the only cleaning methods needed are to rinse the ears in the shower or to remove any bits of ear wax in the outer ear with a damp cloth. It is advised that cotton tips should not be used to clean ear wax as this can cause the ear wax to become impacted deep inside the ear canal and there is also the risk of damaging the eardrum.
We have spoken about a build-up of ear wax potentially causing tinnitus but how does this occur? It is sometimes wrongly assumed that the buildup of ear wax affects the sound travelling through the ear causing the ringing sounds, however, what causes these noises is actually pressure from the impacted wax that excites the nerve cells in the middle ear. The brain receives these and reads the signals from the excited nerves as noise.
If I Have Ear Wax Removal Will My Ear Wax Be Treated?
This is dependent on whether or not your tinnitus is caused by a bad build-up of ear wax. Since there can be many causes of tinnitus including ear wax, hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, diabetes, thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis and certain medicines, an ear examination would be needed to see if a build-up of ear wax could be the causes of your tinnitus.
If My Tinnitus Is Caused By Ear Wax Will It Immediately Go Away After The Ear Wax Removal?
In most cases, your tinnitus should stop right away after having ear wax removal however there is the potential for the tinnitus to get slightly worse for a while after the treatment due to more sound travelling through the ear canal once the blockage has been removed. This should resolve itself fairly quickly after the treatment and your hearing should return to normal.
How Would I Know If My Tinnitus Is Ear Wax Related?
Without actually going to see an audiologist and having a health professional examine the ear there is no way to be sure however there are certain symptoms that usually point to ear wax being the issue. These symptoms include sudden hearing loss, ear pain, ear congestion, and dizziness.
What Should I Do If I Suspect A Build Up Of Ear Wax Is Causing My Tinnitus?
If you can relate to any of the symptoms above or for any other reason you feel you may have a build-up of ear wax, we would advise that you get checked by your local audiologist.
London Hearing Specialist have expert audiologists who are highly trained and have many years of experience in hearing care. If you suspect a build-up of ear wax is causing your tinnitus book a microsuction ear wax removal appointment today