Looking after your ears
Ear care for hearing aid wearers
By Deanna Spiby18 June 20264 min read
If you wear hearing aids, you’re more likely to get ear wax build-up. Wearing something in the ear canal all day slows the wax’s natural journey outward, so it tends to gather — and a wax-blocked ear or aid can leave you thinking the hearing aid has failed when it’s really just clogged. A gentle check every six to twelve months keeps both your ears and your aids working at their best.
Why wearers get more wax
Your ear canal is self-cleaning, with wax slowly migrating outward. A hearing aid or earmould sitting in the canal interrupts that, and can press wax inward. It’s nobody’s fault — it’s just what happens when something’s worn in the ear all day.
Signs wax is affecting your aids
- Whistling or feedback that wasn’t there before.
- Sound that’s quieter or muffled even with fresh batteries.
- A blocked, full feeling when you take the aids out.
- Wax visible on the aid or earmould when you clean it.
Keeping on top of it
- Wipe your aids daily and check the wax guards/filters regularly.
- Soften wax with a little olive oil now and then if you’re prone to build-up.
- Have a professional ear check every 6–12 months — sooner if sound drops.
- Take your aids out at night to give your ears a breather.
Microsuction is especially handy for hearing aid wearers because it’s water-free and done under magnification, so I can clear the canal precisely without disturbing sensitive ears. Home visits mean you don’t even have to leave the house.
This guide is general ear-care information, not medical advice. If you have pain, discharge, sudden hearing loss or dizziness, please see your GP.