Is There a Link Between Tinnitus and Earwax?

Believe it or not, earwax is actually a good thing. In the right amount, it can help protect your ear from debris and reduce your risk of infection. However, too much earwax can lead to buildup, which can cause a number of other problems, including tinnitus.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is often described as a ringing in your ears. However, you can also experience it as a roaring, buzzing, hissing, clicking or other noise as well. For some people, the condition only lasts a short period of time. However, others experience chronic tinnitus that can last weeks, months or even years.

While it’s not always possible to find the cause of tinnitus, doing so can help determine the best treatment options.

Earwax Buildup Causes Tinnitus

Our ears are actually quite good at self-cleaning, and all you need to do to clean your ears is to occasionally wipe the outer ears with a warm, damp washcloth. In fact, attempting to clean your ears with cotton swabs can actually push earwax deeper into your ear canal and lead to blockage and earwax impaction. Additionally, people who use hearing aids, earplugs or earbuds or also more likely to experience earwax buildup.

When earwax buildup occurs, it can cause tinnitus, in addition to other symptoms like fullness or pressure in the ear, dizziness or balance problems, ear pain and temporary hearing loss.

Seek Treatment for Signs of Earwax Buildup

Earwax should be removed when it causes symptoms like hearing loss, itching, pain and tinnitus. So, if you’re experiencing tinnitus or other signs of earwax buildup, make an appointment with an ENT specialist.

They will examine your ear or ears and decide on the best treatment option for earwax removal. In cases where you are experiencing tinnitus, they will likely use microsuction. This is where earwax is removed with a small suction device. It’s an incredibly safe method that won’t cause further injury to your ear.

In some cases, they may also recommend ear drops to help break up the earwax. They may write a prescription or recommend an over-the-counter option that can be found at Katz Pharmacy or other local Pennsylvania stores.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to have your ears examined, call the experts at Pinnacle ENT today.