Hearing Aids and Earwax: Why It's a Problem and What to Do About It
Earwax impaction is the most common ear-related problem for hearing aid wearers — and one of the leading causes of hearing aid malfunction. Here's what's happening and how to manage it.
Why Hearing Aids Cause Wax Buildup
The ear has a self-cleaning mechanism called epithelial migration — the skin of the ear canal grows outward from the eardrum, carrying wax with it. A hearing aid sits in the ear canal and physically blocks this outward movement. Wax accumulates around the device rather than migrating to the outer ear, and over time it builds up to the point where it causes problems.
Research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Audiology confirms that hearing aid wearers are significantly more likely to experience cerumen impaction than non-wearers. The type of hearing aid matters — in-the-canal (ITC) and completely-in-canal (CIC) devices, which sit deeper in the ear canal, cause more wax accumulation than behind-the-ear (BTE) devices, which sit outside the canal.
The wax doesn't just cause hearing problems — it damages the hearing aid itself. Wax is the leading cause of hearing aid malfunction, blocking the receiver (speaker), corroding electronic components, and clogging the microphone port. Regular wax management is as much about protecting your device as it is about protecting your hearing.
Signs That Wax Is Affecting Your Hearing Aid
The most common sign is a gradual deterioration in the sound quality from your hearing aid — voices becoming less clear, sounds seeming muffled or distant, or the volume seeming lower than usual. Many people assume their hearing has worsened or that the hearing aid needs adjustment, when in fact the problem is wax blocking the receiver.
Feedback — the whistling or squealing sound that hearing aids sometimes produce — can also be caused or worsened by wax impaction. Wax in the ear canal changes the acoustic environment, which can trigger feedback loops in the device's amplification system.
If your hearing aid appears to have stopped working, check the wax guard first. Most modern hearing aids have a small filter — the wax guard — that sits over the receiver opening and catches wax before it reaches the speaker. A blocked wax guard is the most common cause of hearing aid failure and takes seconds to replace.
Managing Wax as a Hearing Aid Wearer
A preventive approach is far more effective than waiting for symptoms to develop. Regular use of olive oil drops — two to three times per week — keeps wax soft and easier to migrate, reducing the rate of accumulation. This is the NHS's recommended approach for people prone to wax buildup.
Professional removal every three to six months is the standard recommendation for hearing aid wearers. This prevents accumulation before it becomes symptomatic and before it causes device damage. Microsuction is the preferred method for hearing aid wearers — it's a dry procedure, which means no water near the device, and it provides direct visualisation throughout.
Clean your hearing aids daily. Wipe the device with a dry cloth, check and replace the wax guard regularly (most manufacturers recommend weekly), and use the cleaning tools provided with your device. Store hearing aids in a dry box overnight — moisture accelerates wax-related corrosion.
The NHS Access Problem
Following NHS England's 2019 guidance reclassifying earwax removal as a "low priority procedure," many GP practices stopped offering it routinely. A 2022 RNID survey found that 78% of people seeking NHS earwax removal were turned away or told to wait. For hearing aid wearers who need regular removal to maintain their devices and their hearing, this has been a significant problem.
Private ear care clinics have filled this gap. We offer microsuction with same-day appointments across Devon, including home visits for those who find it difficult to travel. For hearing aid wearers who need regular maintenance, we can set up a routine schedule that keeps your ears clear and your devices functioning.