Can a wax build-up cause hearing loss?
Yes, that can happen. It’s actually a good thing when it is the cause of hearing loss because it’s very treatable. As we age the cells in the ear canal don’t produce as much moist wax, so you get drier wax that may be more likely to cause impaction. But usually the hearing loss in older people is due to a combination of the wax and nerve damage. What can be done for wax buildup? If you have a problem with wax build-up, you experience a clogged sensation, and you should go to your physician to have it removed. Usually we take the wax out under a microscope with suction devices. Or we use instruments that are called curettes. But to avoid wax buildup we often tell patients to use one or two drops of mineral oil, maybe once every two weeks or three weeks or so, just to keep the canal moist. We discourage cotton swab use because cleaning the ears is not necessary. Usually the wax liquefies, so often people will feel moisture, especially at night. But it just self-expels, either in the show
