Hearing loss due to wax in ears

@dsh33782
Hi,

Could be a number of things. I once had a piece of Q-tip stuck in one ear (don’t use those anymore) which muffled the sound. Could be impacted wax. My ENT said I could use wax removal occasionally. He also suggested I use mineral oil for my dry ears which get itchy sometimes and affect my hearing.
Have you checked your tubing? I’ve had a hairline split in tubing and now I retube my own BTEs more often. I’ve had tubing get clogged and sound was going in and out.
You said it improved slightly when you syringed so it’s likely there is some blockage. I see my ENT every 4 or 6 months for an inspection and cleaning of my ears and the Audi checks and cleans the aids. I bought mineral oil and droppers over a year ago and find that semi regular use keeps the ear canal open and prevents any wax hardening. Your ear could be inflamed without you knowing it. Once had an inflamed swollen ear without any discomfort and needed cortisone ear drops.
Hope it’s not the aid itself and that it is a simple matter for the ENT to resolve.
Let us know what it is. If you have any backup aids...try those and if the result is the same you know it’s your ears.

Regards from FL Mary

There could be a number of simple things including ear wax, bug in ear, infection. Your ENT doctor should immediately get to the bottom of it. Good luck.

You will be surprised at the probable increase in your hearing after the ENT cleans out your ears, I always do. I have decided it comes with wearing HAs. It may have to do with the anatomy and structure of your ear. My canals are very small and I only allow my ENT to do the job. Be careful who you allow to do so. I once allowed a hearing aid dispenser to clean out my ears and she really hurt me. Never let someone except a doctor of audiology or ENT clean out your ears. After you notice the difference Monday you will probably want to make future appointments with the ENT about every 3-6 months. I sure would like to know if you notice a change in your hearing. Best to you.

Hi, I have had 2 surgeries and ear tubes put in. The doctor has seen me 6 times in the past 6 months and indeed has cleared my ears each visit.

I did see ENT yesterday. He removed some wax from both ears but not enough to cause noticeable loss of hearing. He did not find any other ENT issues, so now its back to ideologist today to check for issues with my right hearing aid as I still can barely hear the chime when turning it on etc.

@dsh33782
Hi

Hope it’s a minor hearing aid problem and nothing more serious. Keep us posted.

Regards from FL Mary

My right Oticon hearing aid OPN1 had moisture in the tube connector. My audiologist showed me the difference in color of the two tubes and the right one was noticeable yellower. She replaced the tub and it is working properly again. There was no charge and I'm still under warranty until June 2020.

May sound like an odd question which is probably nothing to do with : slight hearing loss, tinnitus, eustachian tube pain night and day, pressure and fullness in ears and don't have family dr., but dr at emerge "sees nothing."... But my question is : both my daughter and I have tinnitus and we also have dry ear canals - no wax, no wax at all. (spouse is opposite) and I wonder if its almost like our ears need oiling !!
Having no dr. guidance I dont want to do the wrong thing and make things worse, although they could not be much more worse for me and I am in quite a lot of daily pain/pressure and tinnitus .... dare I try a little bit of olive oil on a qtip etc. or has this dryness nothing to do with it all? Why dont we have any ear wax, isnt that important to have normal amount? Thanks

@lacy2
Hello, this is right up my alley. I have a profound hearing loss and also tinnitus. I have my ears checked by my ENT doctor every 4 or 5 months. I have very little wax but very dry ear canals. He told me over a year ago to use mineral oil in my ear canals on a regular basis. Do not use a Q Tip.
Buy a dropper and a bottle of mineral oil at the drugstore and put a few drops in each ear...once a day is enough. It's like moisturizer and doesn't build up. You will notice a difference in your hearing. You can use olive oil in a pinch.
Let the mineral oil sink into the canal and keep your head tilted for a few seconds.
This had nothing to do with tinnitus.
I am giving you this advice based on my Doctor's directions. I do this in both ears several times a week...usually at night when I remove my hearing aids .
Remember NO Q Tips...it will only push any debris or wax further into the canal.

Let me know how you did.

FL Mary

@lacy2
I meant to add that you should see an ENT for the pain and pressure...not a regular Doctor. I really doubt a little moisturizer will make things worse before seeing someone else but , if you are hesitant, then just tell the doctor what my ENT recommends.

FL Mary