Blocked Ears After Your Summer Holiday? Why Your Ears Might Be Giving You Grief

Summer holidays should leave you with good memories, not ears that feel blocked, muffled or uncomfortable.

But towards the end of summer, I often speak to people whose ears have suddenly started giving them trouble while they’ve been away or shortly after coming home.

In fact, one of my clients recently contacted me while she was still on holiday because her ear was causing her so much grief. We arranged an appointment for the day she flew home so I could take a look.

Why can ears feel blocked after a holiday?

Swimming, getting water in the ears and travelling by air can all make you much more aware of an ear that already wasn’t feeling quite right.

If ear wax has built up in the ear canal, you might notice:

• muffled or reduced hearing

• a blocked or full sensation

• crackling or popping

• an uncomfortable “underwater” feeling

• increased awareness of the ear after swimming or travelling

  
  

However, not every blocked ear is caused by ear wax, which is why an ear check is important before attempting to remove anything.

What happens at an ear wax removal appointment?

I’ll start by examining your ears to see whether wax is present and whether microsuction is appropriate.

Microsuction uses gentle suction to remove troublesome wax from the ear canal under direct vision. This allows me to see what I’m doing throughout the procedure rather than treating a blocked sensation without knowing what is actually causing it.

If wax isn’t the problem, I won’t simply proceed with wax removal unnecessarily. I can explain what I can see and, where appropriate, advise you on the next step.

Should I get my ears checked after swimming or flying?

You don’t automatically need an ear appointment just because you’ve been swimming or on a plane.

But if you’ve returned from holiday and your ear still feels blocked, your hearing seems muffled or something simply doesn’t feel right, it’s worth having it checked rather than repeatedly trying to clear it yourself.

And please resist the temptation to investigate with a cotton bud — they can push wax further into the ear canal rather than removing it.

Ear wax removal in Overton and Basingstoke

I provide ear checks and microsuction ear wax removal from Tempera Health & Skin Clinic at No.1 George Street in Overton, Hampshire.

Home ear wax removal appointments are also available around Basingstoke and surrounding villages for people who would prefer to be seen at home.

If your ears have been giving you grief over the summer, you can book an appointment online and I’ll take a look.

Tempera Health & Skin Clinic

No.1 George Street, Overton, Hampshire

Ear checks | Microsuction | Home visits