Blocked ear vs infection — how to tell the difference
- MK Ear Wax Clinic
- 15 minutes ago
- 5 min read
A blocked ear can be uncomfortable, distracting, and sometimes worrying—especially if it comes with pain, an ear crackling sound, or muffled hearing one ear. Many people aren’t sure whether they’re dealing with simple wax build-up (a very common cause of a blocked ear) or an ear infection that needs medical treatment.
At MK Ear Wax Clinic, we specialise in safe, professional ear wax removal using microsuction. We offer clinic appointments in Croydon, West Wickham (Bromley) and Richmond, as well as home visits across London and Surrey—including options for same day ear wax removal when available.
This guide explains the key differences between a blocked ear and an infection, what symptoms to look out for, and when to seek help.
First: blocked ear and infection can feel similar
Both wax blockage and infection can cause a feeling of fullness or pressure, reduced hearing, crackling or popping sensations, and discomfort. The difference is usually in the pattern of symptoms and whether there are signs of inflammation or illness.
Signs it’s more likely a blocked ear (often ear wax)
Ear wax (cerumen) is normal and protective. Problems occur when wax becomes impacted and blocks the ear canal.
1) Gradual hearing changes
Wax build-up often causes hearing to reduce slowly over days or weeks. Many people notice muffled hearing one ear, especially after showering (water can swell wax and worsen the blockage).
2) Fullness, pressure, or “plugged” sensation
A classic blocked ear feeling—often without significant pain.
3) Ear crackling sound or popping
An ear crackling sound can happen when wax shifts, when the jaw moves, or when pressure changes in the ear canal.
4) Tinnitus (ringing) or sound distortion
Impacted wax can change how sound travels, leading to ringing or a “hollow” sensation.
5) Dizziness or imbalance (in some cases)
People often ask: can ear wax cause dizziness? It can—particularly if the wax is fully blocking the canal or pressing against the eardrum, affecting balance signals. Dizziness can have many causes, so it’s important to assess symptoms properly.
6) Usually no fever and no significant discharge
Wax blockage typically does not cause fever. Discharge is uncommon unless there is irritation or another condition present.
Signs it’s more likely an ear infection
Ear infections vary (outer ear infections and middle ear infections are different), but infections generally involve inflammation and sometimes systemic symptoms.
1) Pain that is more pronounced
Infections often cause moderate to severe pain, sometimes throbbing. Pain may worsen when touching or pulling the outer ear (more typical of outer ear infection).
2) Discharge or wetness
Fluid, pus-like discharge, or persistent wetness can suggest infection—especially if it has an odour.
3) Itchiness and tenderness (often outer ear infection)
Outer ear infections can cause itching, swelling, and tenderness of the ear canal.
4) Fever or feeling unwell
A fever, fatigue, or generally feeling unwell is more suggestive of infection than wax.
5) Sudden hearing loss with acute symptoms
Infections can cause sudden changes in hearing, often alongside pain, pressure, or a recent cold (more typical of middle ear involvement).
6) Symptoms after a cold or flu
If ear symptoms follow a respiratory infection, it may be related to middle ear pressure or infection.
Quick comparison: blocked ear vs infection
More likely ear wax blockage: gradual muffled hearing one ear, fullness/pressure, ear crackling sound, ringing, sometimes dizziness, usually no fever and minimal pain.
More likely infection: significant pain, discharge, fever or feeling unwell, tenderness/swelling, often follows a cold (middle ear).
If you’re unsure, it’s best to have your ears assessed—especially before using drops or attempting any home methods.
What is microsuction?
Microsuction is a modern method of ear wax removal performed under direct visual guidance. A trained clinician uses a specialist suction device to gently remove wax from the ear canal while viewing the ear with magnification and illumination.
People commonly ask: is microsuction safe? When performed by a trained professional using appropriate equipment and assessment, microsuction is widely regarded as a safe and effective method of wax removal. As with any procedure, suitability depends on your ear health and history, which is why a proper assessment is important.
How microsuction helps a blocked ear
If ear wax is the cause of your blocked ear, microsuction can remove impacted wax precisely, improve hearing quickly (often immediately), reduce symptoms such as fullness, crackling, and ringing, and help resolve wax-related dizziness in appropriate cases.
Because the clinician can see inside the ear throughout, microsuction allows controlled removal—especially helpful when wax is deep, hard, or close to the eardrum.
Why microsuction is often preferred to ear syringing
Ear syringing (or irrigation) uses water to flush wax out. While it can work in some cases, it isn’t suitable for everyone and may carry higher risk in certain situations.
Microsuction is often preferred because it’s performed under direct vision, no water is introduced into the ear, it’s suitable for many cases where irrigation isn’t advised, and it’s often faster and more controlled—particularly for stubborn or impacted wax causing muffled hearing one ear or persistent blockage.
When to seek urgent medical advice
While wax is common, some symptoms should be assessed urgently by a medical professional (e.g., GP, NHS 111, or urgent care), including sudden severe hearing loss, severe pain with fever, significant discharge, facial weakness, severe dizziness/vertigo, neurological symptoms, symptoms after head injury, or a suspected foreign body in the ear.
If you have a known perforated eardrum, grommets, or recent ear surgery, you should always mention this before any ear procedure.
Emergency and after-hours ear wax removal
For patients who can’t wait—such as those with sudden muffled hearing one ear, significant blocked ear symptoms, or urgent travel/work needs—MK Ear Wax Clinic also offers emergency ear wax removal appointments after hours, subject to availability. If you need same day ear wax removal or an evening appointment, please contact us as early as possible so we can advise on the next available slot.
Children’s ear wax removal appointments
We also offer children’s appointments where appropriate. Children can experience ear wax build-up that leads to a blocked ear, reduced hearing, or an ear crackling sound. We take a calm, patient-led approach and will only proceed when it’s safe and suitable for the child.
Ear wax removal near me: clinic and home visit options
If you’re searching for ear wax removal near me, MK Ear Wax Clinic provides professional microsuction appointments with convenient options: clinic appointments in Croydon, West Wickham (Bromley) and Richmond; home visits across London and Surrey; and same day ear wax removal (availability may vary—contact us to check).
Pricing (clinic and home visits)
Clinic appointments: from £65 (Croydon, West Wickham/Bromley, and Richmond). Home visits: from £85 (available across London and Surrey). For same day ear wax removal, after-hours emergency appointments, or specific home-visit areas, please contact us to confirm availability and the exact cost.
Book online or call us
If you’re experiencing a blocked ear, ear crackling sound, or muffled hearing one ear, we can assess whether wax is likely to be the cause and provide safe microsuction treatment where appropriate.
📞 Call: 0203 576 2944
📧 Email: info@mkearwaxclinic.co.uk
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