Hearing aids can cause the sensation of blocked ears, a common experience that often leads new users to question the device’s comfort. This feeling, known as the occlusion effect, is typically a mechanical issue and not a true pathological blockage of the ear canal. The sensation is often described as a feeling of fullness or pressure, sometimes accompanied by autophony—the perception of one’s own voice sounding unusually loud or booming. While the feeling of a plugged ear is usually due to the device’s physical presence, the hearing aid can also contribute to genuine blockages by interfering with the ear’s natural cleaning process.
Physical Causes of the Plugged Sensation
The primary reason for the sensation of fullness is the occlusion effect, which occurs when a hearing aid or earmold completely seals the ear canal. When the canal is blocked, the low-frequency sound vibrations produced by the wearer’s own body movements, like chewing or speaking, cannot escape naturally. Instead, these vibrations are trapped and resonate against the eardrum, leading to the exaggerated, booming sound of one’s own voice.
The design of the hearing aid plays a significant role in this effect, particularly the presence and size of a vent, which is a small channel drilled through the device. A vent allows air and sound to pass in and out of the ear canal, helping to equalize pressure and reduce the trapped low-frequency energy. If the vent is too small for the user’s anatomy or becomes blocked by debris, the occlusion effect is intensified.
An improper fit of the earmold or dome can also contribute to the plugged sensation. A device that is too tight can create uncomfortable pressure points, while a device that is too loose can allow acoustic feedback or move enough to temporarily seal and unseal the canal, causing fluctuating pressure. Addressing these fitting issues is often a simple adjustment that significantly improves comfort.
How Hearing Aids Affect Earwax
Beyond the mechanical sensation, hearing aids can also lead to a genuine blockage known as cerumen impaction, or earwax buildup. The ear canal is naturally self-cleaning, using the motion of the jaw to gradually move cerumen toward the outer ear. A hearing aid, which sits inside the canal, acts as a physical barrier that disrupts this outward migration process.
The device essentially pushes the earwax deeper into the ear canal, preventing it from exiting and causing it to accumulate and harden against the eardrum. Furthermore, the continuous presence of a foreign object can stimulate the glands lining the ear canal to produce more cerumen as a protective response. This increased production combined with the blocked exit path significantly raises the risk of impaction.
The hearing aid can also change the environment inside the ear canal by trapping moisture and heat. This altered microclimate can affect the consistency of the cerumen, making it stickier or drier than normal, which further contributes to its inability to migrate out. This accumulation not only causes a physical blockage but can also reduce the effectiveness of the hearing aid by covering the microphone or receiver.
Solutions and When to Consult a Professional
Preventing a blocked feeling often begins with consistent maintenance of the hearing device. Users should clean the domes, tubes, and especially the vents daily to ensure they remain free of wax and debris. Many hearing aids come with small tools like wax loops or brushes designed specifically for this routine care.
For managing earwax in the canal, a few drops of mineral oil or hydrogen peroxide solution can be used to soften the cerumen and encourage its natural expulsion. It is important to avoid inserting cotton swabs, fingers, or any other small object into the ear, as this only pushes the wax deeper and risks damaging the delicate ear canal or eardrum.
If the plugged feeling persists or is accompanied by pain, discharge, or a noticeable drop in hearing, professional consultation is necessary. An audiologist can assess the fit of the device and make adjustments to the earmold, such as enlarging the vent, to alleviate the occlusion effect. For a significant wax blockage or signs of infection, a primary care physician or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist should be consulted for safe and effective removal.