Embrace the Sounds of Summer: Tips for Looking After Your Hearing

Ealing Hearing Centre • June 20, 2024

Summer is a season filled with vibrant sounds—from the cheerful chirping of birds to the rhythmic waves crashing on the shore.

At Ealing Hearing Centre, we want to ensure you enjoy every moment of this soundscape by taking excellent care of your hearing. Here are some essential tips to help you protect your ears and maintain optimal hearing health this summer.


1. Protect Your Ears from Loud Noises

Summer often means outdoor concerts, fireworks, and bustling festivals. While these events are fun, the high noise levels can harm your hearing. To protect your ears:

- Use Earplugs: Keep a pair of high-fidelity earplugs handy to reduce noise levels without compromising sound quality.

- Maintain Safe Distances: Stand at a reasonable distance from speakers and other loud sound sources.

- Limit Exposure: Take breaks from the noise to give your ears a rest.


2. Keep Your Ears Dry

Swimming is a favourite summer activity, but prolonged exposure to water can lead to ear infections. Here’s how to keep your ears dry:

- Use Earplugs: Wear waterproof earplugs when swimming to prevent water from entering your ear canals.

- Dry Your Ears: After swimming, gently dry your ears with a towel and tilt your head to let any trapped water escape.

- Avoid Cotton Swabs: Don’t use cotton swabs to dry or clean your ears, as they can push water further inside and cause damage.


3. Stay Hydrated

Hydration is crucial for overall health, including your hearing. Dehydration can lead to thicker earwax, which may cause blockages and hearing issues. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain proper ear function.


4. Beware of Ear Infections

Warm weather and water activities increase the risk of ear infections. To prevent infections:

- Keep Ears Clean: Maintain good ear hygiene, but avoid over-cleaning, which can strip away protective earwax.

- Avoid Contaminated Water: Swim in clean, well-maintained pools and avoid water with high bacteria levels.


5. Schedule a Hearing Check-Up

Regular hearing check-ups are vital for maintaining good hearing health. Summer is an ideal time to schedule a visit to Ealing Hearing Centre. Our comprehensive hearing tests can detect early signs of hearing loss, allowing for timely intervention and treatment.


6. Use Hearing Protection Devices

If you already use hearing aids, ensure they are well-maintained and equipped with moisture-resistant features. Summer heat and humidity can affect electronic devices, so keep them dry and store them in a safe place when not in use. If you are unsure, please call us.


7. Enjoy Nature’s Sounds

Take advantage of the quieter moments of summer to relax and listen to nature’s soothing sounds. These natural sounds can be therapeutic and beneficial for your overall well-being.


Summer offers a symphony of delightful sounds that you shouldn’t miss due to preventable hearing issues. By following these tips, you can protect your ears and enjoy the season to its fullest. At Ealing Hearing Centre, we’re dedicated to helping you maintain excellent hearing health. If you have any concerns or need advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Here’s to a sound-filled summer!


For more information or to schedule a hearing assessment, visit Ealing Hearing Centre today. Enjoy your summer with the confidence of clear, healthy hearing! 

Wax in Ears Symptoms: How They Present and Why They’re Often Misread

By Aarti Raicha • December 29, 2025
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

How to Unblock Wax in Ears: What Actually Helps and What Often Makes It Worse

By Aarti Raicha • December 20, 2025
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

What's the Safest Way to Remove Hard Ear Wax?

By Aarti Raicha • November 28, 2025
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.