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Ear wax is normal and useful. It protects the ear canal from dust, dryness and irritation. However, when wax builds up and becomes impacted (firmly stuck in the ear canal), it can cause frustrating symptoms that affect your hearing, comfort and daily life.

I regularly see patients who have spent days trying cotton buds, ear candles or home syringes, only to make the blockage worse. The good news is that professional ear wax removal in Perth can often provide quick, comfortable relief.

But how do you know when you need professional help?

Here are five clear signs it is time to arrange an assessment, plus what you should know about microsuction and safer alternatives to DIY ear cleaning.

Important: Sudden hearing loss, severe dizziness, significant pain, bleeding, discharge or facial weakness requires urgent medical assessment. Do not assume these symptoms are caused by ear wax.

1. Your ear feels persistently blocked or full

A blocked or “plugged” feeling is one of the most common signs of impacted ear wax. You may feel pressure in the ear, as though water is trapped inside, or notice that sounds seem distant.

This can happen after:

• Using cotton buds or earbuds
• Swimming or showering
• Wearing hearing aids
• Producing naturally thick or excessive ear wax
• Having a narrow or curved ear canal

If the blocked feeling clears quickly, there may be no cause for concern. However, book a professional assessment when the blockage persists, keeps returning or affects one ear more than the other.

A typical patient example

One of my patients, “Janet” , a name changed for privacy , noticed a blocked feeling in her right ear after a shower. She used cotton buds several times over the following week, believing she was removing the wax. In reality, the wax had been pushed further down the canal.

At her appointment, the blockage was clearly visible. After a careful microsuction procedure, her ear felt open again and sounds were noticeably clearer.

Practical takeaway: If your ear still feels blocked after several days, stop poking around and arrange an assessment. The longer you keep pushing at the ear canal, the more compacted the wax can become.

2. You have muffled or reduced hearing

Impacted wax can sit in front of the eardrum and interfere with the way sound travels through the ear. This may cause:

• Muffled voices
• Difficulty following conversations
• Needing to increase the television volume
• Trouble hearing in restaurants or busy workplaces
• A feeling that people are mumbling
• Hearing better in one ear than the other

Gradual, muffled hearing can be caused by wax, but hearing loss should never automatically be blamed on wax. An audiologist or doctor needs to look inside the ear and determine whether wax is present.

If the wax is removed and hearing does not return to normal, you may need further hearing assessment. You can learn more about the different causes of hearing loss on our hearing loss information page.

Act quickly if hearing loss is sudden

Sudden hearing loss is not a routine ear-wax problem. If your hearing disappears or drops rapidly, particularly in one ear, seek urgent medical attention rather than waiting for a wax-removal appointment.

Practical takeaway: Arrange professional help for persistent muffled hearing, but treat sudden or rapidly worsening hearing loss as urgent.

3. You are experiencing tinnitus

Tinnitus means hearing a sound such as ringing, buzzing, humming or hissing when there is no external source. Ear wax can sometimes cause or worsen tinnitus by changing the way sound reaches the eardrum.

You may notice tinnitus:

• Alongside a blocked-ear sensation
• After inserting cotton buds
• In one ear more than the other
• When hearing becomes muffled
• More strongly in quiet environments

If wax is the cause, removing the blockage may reduce the tinnitus. However, tinnitus can have many causes, including hearing loss, medication effects, ear conditions and changes in the middle or inner ear.

Do not ignore tinnitus that is:

• Persistent or worsening
• Only in one ear
• Pulsing in time with your heartbeat
• Accompanied by hearing loss or dizziness
• Associated with pain or discharge

Our tinnitus service page explains how we assess and support people experiencing tinnitus.

Practical takeaway: If tinnitus began or became worse at the same time as a blocked ear, arrange an ear examination. If it continues after the wax is removed, organise a complete hearing assessment.

4. You have ear pain, discomfort or itching

A small amount of pressure or mild discomfort can occur with a wax blockage. Some people also experience itching, particularly when wax has become dry or compacted.

However, pain is a sign to seek professional advice rather than reaching for a cotton bud or home tool. Pain can be linked to:

• Impacted wax
• An ear infection
• Irritation or injury to the ear canal
• A foreign object
• Eardrum problems
• Inflammation caused by moisture

When pain needs medical attention

Contact a doctor promptly if you have:

• Severe or increasing pain
• Fever
• Fluid, pus or blood from the ear
• Swelling around the ear
• Pain after an injury
• Pain with significant hearing loss

A professional will first examine your ear to check whether wax removal is appropriate. Wax should not be removed blindly when infection, eardrum damage or another ear condition may be present.

A typical patient example

“David”, another anonymised patient, thought his ear was simply blocked after using in-ear headphones. He also had increasing soreness. Instead of continuing with home treatment, he arranged an examination. The assessment showed irritation in the ear canal rather than a straightforward wax blockage. He was directed to the appropriate medical care before any removal was attempted.

Practical takeaway: Mild discomfort may occur with wax, but significant or worsening pain requires assessment first. Do not try to force wax out of a painful ear.

5. You feel dizzy, off-balance or light-headed

Some people report mild dizziness or an off-balance feeling when their ear is blocked. The ear is closely connected with balance, so changes around the ear can feel unsettling.

Even so, dizziness has many possible causes and should not automatically be attributed to ear wax.

Seek urgent medical care for:

• Severe spinning vertigo
• Difficulty walking
• New weakness, numbness or facial drooping
• Severe headache
• Vomiting
• Sudden hearing loss
• Dizziness after a head injury

If the dizziness is mild and appeared with a persistent blocked-ear feeling, book an assessment. An audiologist can inspect the ear and advise whether professional wax removal is suitable, or whether you need a GP or specialist review.

Practical takeaway: Mild symptoms alongside visible wax may improve after appropriate care, but severe or sudden dizziness is a medical concern.

Why professional microsuction is better than DIY ear cleaning

Microsuction uses a small suction device to remove wax under direct visualisation. In other words, the clinician can see the ear canal and carefully target the wax rather than working blindly.

At Pristine Hearing, our audiologists are specially trained in microsuction. The procedure is:

1. Assessed first , I examine the ear and discuss your symptoms and medical history.
2. Performed under visual control , the wax is viewed directly during removal.
3. Dry rather than water-based , microsuction does not introduce water into the ear canal.
4. Carefully tailored , the technique is adjusted for your ear, the amount of wax and your comfort.
5. Followed by advice , I explain what to do next and whether further hearing assessment is needed.

Avoid these common DIY mistakes

Do not:

• Insert cotton buds into the ear canal
• Use hairpins, keys or other objects
• Try to scrape wax out with a sharp tool
• Use ear candles
• Pour water into the ear without professional advice
• Continue home treatment when symptoms are painful or worsening

Cotton buds commonly push wax deeper and can scratch the delicate skin of the ear canal. Ear candles are ineffective and can cause burns or melted wax blockages.

Some people can use over-the-counter wax-softening drops for a minor blockage. However, do not use drops without medical advice if you have had ear surgery, a perforated eardrum, grommets, recurrent infections or discharge. If symptoms have not improved after several days, get professional advice.

How to arrange ear wax removal in Perth

Follow these steps:

1. Stop inserting objects into the ear.
2. Write down your symptoms, including when they started and whether they affect one or both ears.
3. Check for red flags such as sudden hearing loss, severe pain, discharge or severe dizziness.
4. Book an assessment with a trained audiologist or speak with your GP.
5. Ask what method is appropriate for your ear and medical history.
6. Arrange a hearing check if your hearing remains muffled after the wax is removed.

You can book an assessment online with Pristine Hearing or contact our team to discuss your symptoms. Our Perth clinic is located at 1/440 Flinders Street, Nollamara WA, and you can call (08) 6336 7170.

Pristine Hearing’s ear wax removal service uses professional microsuction rather than traditional water syringing. The service page also notes a discounted rate of $70, normally $150, for existing hearing-aid patients managed by us, people purchasing new hearing aids and eligible pensioners who become our patients through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program. Confirm current pricing and eligibility when booking.

The bottom line

A blocked ear that will not clear deserves attention, especially when it comes with:

1. Persistent fullness or blockage
2. Muffled or reduced hearing
3. Tinnitus
4. Pain, discomfort or itching
5. Dizziness or balance changes

Do not keep experimenting with DIY ear-cleaning methods. Get your ear examined, rule out infection or eardrum problems, and use professional microsuction when it is clinically appropriate. With the right assessment and care, relief can be straightforward , and bob’s your uncle, you can get back to hearing comfortably.

Frequently asked questions

Is microsuction painful?

Microsuction is generally gentle, but you may notice sound, pressure or mild sensitivity during the procedure. Tell your audiologist immediately if you feel discomfort so the technique can be adjusted.

Do I need to use oil before microsuction?

Pristine Hearing’s microsuction service does not require pre-treatment with oil. Your audiologist will advise you if any preparation is needed.

Can I have microsuction if I have tinnitus?

Often, yes. Our audiologists can assess your ears and discuss microsuction if it is appropriate. Tinnitus should still be investigated if it continues after wax removal or occurs with other symptoms.

Can ear wax cause permanent hearing loss?

Wax-related hearing reduction is usually temporary once the blockage is safely removed. However, not every hearing problem is caused by wax, so arrange a hearing assessment if your hearing does not return to normal.

Should I see a GP or an audiologist?

See a GP urgently for sudden hearing loss, severe pain, discharge, fever, severe dizziness or suspected infection. For a persistent, uncomplicated blockage, a trained audiologist can assess your ears and provide professional wax removal where suitable.