CELEBRATE LIFE'S SOUNDS: Embracing the Joys of Special Occasions
Ealing Hearing Centre • August 15, 2023
As an audiologist, I have the privilege of helping people to hear better and enjoy the sounds of life. One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing how hearing aids can transform the way people experience special occasions, such as birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, graduations, and holidays.
Special occasions are often filled with laughter, music, speeches and conversations. They are opportunities to connect with our loved ones, share our emotion and create lasting memories. However, for people with hearing loss, these events can also be challenging, frustrating and isolating. They may struggle to hear what is being said, miss out on jokes or stories, feel overwhelmed by background noise, or avoid socialising altogether.
That's why I always encourage my patients to embrace the joys of special occasions and not let hearing loss stop them from celebrating life's sounds. Here are some tips that I share with them to help them make the most of these events:
- Plan ahead: If you know you are going to attend a special occasion, make sure your hearing aids are working properly and have fresh batteries (unless they are rechargeable). You can also contact the host or venue and ask about the acoustics, seating arrangements and availability of assistive listening devices or captioning services. This way, you can prepare yourself for the environment and request any accommodations you may need.
- Choose your seat wisely: When you arrive at the event, try to find a seat that is close to the main speaker or source of sound and away from any loudspeakers, windows, or doors. This will help you hear more clearly and reduce the interference of background noise. You can also sit next to someone who can fill you in on anything you may miss or misunderstand.
- Use your hearing aids' features: Most modern hearing aids have features that can help you adapt to different listening situations. For example, you can use directional microphones to focus on the sound in front of you, noise reduction to minimise unwanted sounds, or telecoil to connect to a loop system. You can also use Bluetooth to stream sound directly from your smartphone, tablet, or TV to your hearing aids. These features can enhance your hearing experience and make it easier for you to follow along.
- Communicate your needs: Don't be afraid to let others know that you have hearing loss and what they can do to help you hear better. For example, you can ask them to speak clearly and slowly, face you when they talk, repeat or rephrase anything you don't catch, or write down important information. You can also use gestures, facial expressions, and body language to support your communication. Most people are happy to accommodate your needs if you are polite and respectful.
- Take breaks: Listening with hearing loss can be exhausting, especially in noisy or crowded environments. It's important to take breaks from time to time and give yourself a chance to rest and recharge. You can find a quiet spot where you can relax, meditate, or read. You can also use earplugs or headphones to block out any unwanted sounds. Taking breaks can help you prevent fatigue and stress and improve your mood and concentration.
- Have fun: Last but not least, remember to have fun and enjoy yourself. Special occasions are meant to be celebrated and cherished. Don't let hearing loss stop you from participating in the activities you love, expressing your feelings and making new friends. Hearing aids can help you hear better, but they can't do all the work for you. You also need a positive attitude, a sense of humour and a willingness to try new things. With these qualities, you can celebrate life's sounds and embrace the joys of special occasions.
Contact us today to book your hearing test or ear wax removal.
For many adults, wax-related ear problems show up quietly. Speech may start to sound less clear, one ear may feel slightly fuller than the other, or listening may feel more tiring than usual, without any obvious pain to point to the ear as the cause. When symptoms develop this way, wax is rarely what people think of first. Changes in hearing or comfort are more often blamed on tiredness, sinus pressure, or simply getting older, and the ear canal is not always considered until the problem has been there for a while. Changes in Hearing Clarity Hearing often feels different before it feels reduced. Voices can start to sound flatter or harder to pick out, especially in places with background noise, even when nothing feels obviously quieter. It also tends to vary. Some days, one ear feels more affected than the other, or things seem clearer at one point in the day and less so later on, which makes it easy to assume the problem is temporary rather than ear-related. Because these changes build gradually, many people adapt without realising how much extra effort listening has begun to require. A Feeling of Fullness or Pressure Another change people commonly notice is a sense of fullness in the ear. This is often described as pressure or blockage, similar to the feeling some experience after swimming or during changes in air pressure. The sensation can become more noticeable when chewing, yawning, or lying on one side, and it may shift slightly depending on how the wax sits within the ear canal. As it is rarely painful, it is easy to tolerate for longer than expected. Over time, this constant awareness of the ear can become distracting, even if it never develops into sharp discomfort. Ringing or Internal Sounds
Blocked ears are rarely dramatic at first, and for many adults the sensation builds gradually, with a feeling of fullness, mild muffling, or pressure that comes and goes, often becoming more noticeable in quiet rooms or during conversations where speech suddenly feels less clear than it used to. When this happens, the instinct is to “unblock” the ear as quickly as possible. People search for ways to clear wax, assuming it is a simple obstruction that needs to be removed. In practice, earwax blockage is more complex than it appears, and many attempts to unblock it at home end up making the problem harder to resolve. Why Ear Wax Builds Up in Adults Earwax is a normal and necessary part of ear health. It protects the ear canal, traps dust and debris, and helps prevent infection. In most people, wax gradually moves out of the ear on its own as the jaw moves during talking and chewing. In adults, however, this process does not always work as smoothly. Wax can become drier with age, ear canals can narrow slightly, and the natural movement that helps wax migrate outward may slow. Hearing aid use, earbud use, and repeated attempts to clean the ears can also interfere with this self-cleaning process. Over time, wax that would normally exit the ear can compact deeper inside the canal, leading to blockage. Misunderstanding Blocked Ears Many people think of blocked ears as similar to a blocked nose, something that can be cleared quickly with the right technique. This comparison is misleading. Ear wax does not dissolve easily, and once it has compacted, it often behaves more like a plug than a soft build-up. Attempts to flush it out, soften it too aggressively, or remove it manually can push it further in rather than clearing it. This is why people often report that their ears feel worse after trying to unblock them themselves, even though they intended to fix the problem. Common Home Methods
People, you probably just see earwax as something to remove. But its role is crucial: it’s your ear’s natural defence system against foreign particles and bacteria. The problem only happens when this protective barrier eventually dries up and turns into a blockage. Understanding Hardened Earwax Hardened earwax develops when it dries up and becomes firmly lodged, or impacted, inside the ear canal. This impaction isn't just a physical blockage; it can trigger a range of symptoms that severely impact your well-being: A persistent feeling of blocked ears or fullness Tinnitus (a distracting ringing or buzzing) Occasional dizziness or balance issues Noticeable reduction in hearing or muffled hearing . The hardening is often due to factors outside your control, such as age, genetic predisposition, the unique anatomy of your ear canals, or certain past medical events. Gentle Ways to Soften Wax at Home (Exercise Caution) Before seeking professional intervention, you may try softening the wax yourself. However, we must stress that safety and caution are paramount. 1. Medical-Grade Olive Oil Drops Gently warm some medical-grade olive oil (it should feel lukewarm, never hot) and place a few drops in the affected ear. Leave the oil to work for 10–15 minutes, then tilt your head to drain the excess. Repeating this 3–4 times daily for several days can significantly soften the blockage. 2. Over-the-Counter Drops Ask your local chemist for non-prescription drops designed to help break down earwax. If you prefer a ready-made solution, the pharmacist can guide you. The Absolute Rule of Ear Care This is vital: Never insert objects like cotton swabs, hairpins, or rolled-up tissue into your ear canal. These objects do not remove wax; they inevitably push the wax deeper against the eardrum, worsening the impaction and risking serious injury to the delicate inner ear structures. The Experts' Choice: Professional Ear Wax Removal in Ealing When home remedies prove insufficient, or if you are experiencing worrisome symptoms like pain, persistent ringing, or sudden hearing loss, consulting an expert is the safest course of action. Our professional services guarantee safe, accurate, and hygienic removal.