Could Earwax Be Affecting Your Hearing in Peoria, Illinois?
That plugged-up feeling in your ear. Muffled voices. Your hearing aid whistling for no reason. It might be earwax — and we can help you find out.
We Check for Earwax — We Do Not Remove It In-House
River City Hearing does not perform earwax removal at our office. But we do something just as important: we check whether earwax might be the reason you're having trouble hearing or why your hearing aids aren't performing as expected.
During your visit, we look inside your ear canal to see if wax buildup could be affecting your hearing. If we find that wax is part of the problem, we'll let you know right away and help you get it addressed — whether that means a referral to a trusted local provider or guidance on what to do next.
Our goal is simple: Make sure earwax is not standing between you and better hearing. We will check, we will tell you what we find, and we will help you get the right solution.
Earwax Is Normal. Blocked Earwax Is the Problem.
Earwax, also called cerumen, is part of your body's built-in defense system. It traps dirt and helps protect the skin inside your ear canal. It usually works its way out on its own.
But sometimes, it does not. Wax can become dry, packed down, or pushed deeper into the canal. This is especially common for people who wear hearing aids, earbuds, or use cotton swabs too aggressively.
Warning Signs
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery says impacted earwax can cause:
- Ear pain and itching
- Ear fullness and tinnitus
- Hearing loss and discharge
- Odor and hearing aid changes
Important: A clogged ear could be wax. It could also be infection, fluid, eardrum trouble, or sudden hearing loss. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders warns that sudden hearing loss should be treated as a medical emergency.
Common Signs You May Need Earwax Removal
| Symptom | What It May Feel Like | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Muffled hearing | People sound distant or unclear | Wax may be blocking sound from reaching the eardrum |
| Ear fullness | Like pressure, plugging, or water in the ear | A wax blockage can create a closed-off feeling |
| Ringing or buzzing | Tinnitus feels louder than usual | Earwax can sometimes make tinnitus more noticeable |
| Hearing aid feedback | Whistling, poor fit, or weak sound | Wax may block the hearing aid speaker or microphone |
| Ear discomfort | Mild soreness, itching, or irritation | Wax may be packed against sensitive canal skin |
Cleveland Clinic lists earwax blockage symptoms that may include earache, tinnitus, itchiness, odor, dizziness, cough, ear fullness, and partial hearing loss.
Please Stop Digging in Your Ears
Cotton swabs feel like the obvious answer. They are not.
Most people are not removing wax. They are packing it deeper, like pushing snow to the end of a driveway.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery warns against putting cotton swabs, hair pins, keys, toothpicks, or similar objects in the ear because they can injure the ear canal, puncture the eardrum, or damage hearing bones.
The same group also warns against ear candles, saying there is no evidence they remove impacted wax and that they can seriously harm the ear canal or eardrum.
The ear canal is small, curved, and sensitive. You do not need a "better tool." You need a better plan.
What We Do: Check, Identify, Help
At River City Hearing, we do not perform earwax removal in-house. But we do check whether earwax might be affecting your hearing or hearing aid performance — and if it is, we will tell you and help you get it addressed.
We Examine Your Ears
We look inside your ear canals to check for wax buildup
We Check Your Aids
We inspect hearing aids for wax blockages or performance issues
We Tell You What We Find
If wax is part of the problem, we help you get the right solution
Our goal: Make sure earwax is not standing between you and better hearing.
Earwax and Hearing Aids: A Small Problem That Can Act Big
Hearing aids and earwax have a complicated relationship. Hearing aids sit in or near the ear canal. That means they can slow the natural movement of wax. Wax can also clog the small openings on a hearing aid, leading to weak sound, whistling, distortion, or a device that seems "broken" even when it is not.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery specifically notes that impacted wax can change hearing aid function.
So, if your hearing aid suddenly sounds dull, weak, or squeaky, do not assume it needs replacement. It may need cleaning. Or your ear may.
River City Hearing offers both hearing aid repair and earwax removal, which makes it easier to check both sides of the problem in one place.
When At-Home Earwax Care May Not Be Enough
Some people use over-the-counter ear drops to soften wax. Cleveland Clinic notes that ear drops may help with earwax blockage, and some products are available over the counter. But "available" does not always mean "right for you."
Be more careful if you have:
- Ear pain or drainage
- Dizziness or history of ear surgery
- Known or possible eardrum hole
- Ear tubes or diabetes
- Weakened immune system
- Sudden hearing loss
- Wax that keeps coming back
- Hearing aid that keeps clogging
The AAO-HNS guideline advises patients to ask a provider about home care because some ear or medical conditions can make certain options unsafe.
A quick appointment can often answer the question you have been guessing at for days.
Why Choose River City Hearing in Peoria?
River City Hearing is a local, independent, women-owned hearing care provider in Peoria, Illinois. Its listed services include hearing tests, hearing aid fitting, hearing aid repair, and tinnitus management.
You are not just looking for someone to remove wax. You are looking for someone who understands how earwax connects to hearing clarity, hearing aids, tinnitus, and everyday communication.
Because the real problem is not wax. The real problem is:
- Missing the punchline at dinner
- Turning the TV up again
- Asking your spouse to repeat the same sentence three times
- Feeling like everyone around you started mumbling overnight
Earwax removal may be a small service. But when wax is the reason you are struggling, the relief can feel immediate.
Let Us Check If Earwax Is Part of the Problem
We will look inside your ears, tell you what we find, and help you get the right solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common signs include muffled hearing, ear fullness, ringing, itching, mild discomfort, or hearing aid feedback. But the only way to know for sure is to have someone look inside the ear canal.
Yes. Mayo Clinic states that earwax buildup can block the ear canal and stop sound waves from passing through. When wax is the cause, removal may help restore hearing.
No. Cotton swabs can push wax deeper and may injure the ear canal or eardrum. The AAO-HNS warns against putting small objects into the ear.
No. The AAO-HNS says ear candles have no evidence of removing impacted wax and can cause serious harm to the ear canal and eardrum.
Yes. Impacted wax can change hearing aid function, and wax may interfere with sound quality or cause feedback.
No, we do not perform earwax removal at our office. However, we do check whether earwax might be affecting your hearing or your hearing aids. If we find that wax is part of the problem, we will let you know and help you get it addressed.
Hear Clearly Again Without Guessing
If your ear feels plugged, your hearing sounds muffled, or your hearing aid is acting strange, do not dig, candle, or hope it goes away. Let River City Hearing take a look.