Combatting Hearing Fatigue: Tips for Easing Auditory Strain

Ealing Hearing Centre • January 19, 2024

Hearing fatigue is a never-ending fight against buzzing, clattering, and mumbling. You're constantly at war with sound to deflect against the noise and hunt down the conversations that matter. The struggle can leave you feeling drained with no emotional battery left. Here are a few ways to dial down the volume and help you regain the peace and clarity you deserve.


Adjust Your Exposure to Sound


Loud environments can put more strain on your auditory system. But even when the high volume of sounds drives you mad, you might not always be able to leave the space. Here are some things you can try.


The Solution:


Try to put as much distance as you can between yourself and the sound’s source. In fact, a 2014 study from the National Library of Medicine found that 76% of children tested in the UK showed signs of hearing loss when consistently exposed to sounds over 98db. That’s about the same level as a train or a Refuse collection truck. So if you’re going to a concert, get tickets far away from the speakers. And definitely keep your distance from loud machinery.

 

But it’s not always the extra loud noises that can wear us out. Sometimes, the little sounds can be irritating, too. Simple swaps like using a digital clock instead of one that ticks can help cut down on the noise pollution around you.


Try Sound Therapy


Different conditions associated with hearing, like hyperacusis and tinnitus, can make individuals more prone to noise sensitivity—especially for everyday noises. While some sounds are just part of life, there are ways to learn to manage your tolerance to them.


The Solution:


Sound therapy can be used to reduce auditory gain and increase tolerance to sound. In a 2021 study, about 86% of patients studied found significant relief for their tinnitus through sound therapy. An occupational therapist can provide advice on an auditory desensitisation program, which involves gradually increasing exposure and tolerance to auditory stimuli.


Manage Your Own Health


If you struggle with high-stress levels and high blood pressure, it can negatively affect your hearing. In fact, a 2022 study from South Africa has shown that adults with hypertension are 23.3% more likely to experience hearing loss. Thankfully, there are ways you can take control of your health.


The Solution:


Managing blood pressure and cardiac health can help prevent hearing loss and reduce auditory strain. Exercise improves blood flow and has been shown to help manage symptoms of stress and anxiety. 

 

Additionally, practicing mental exercises can improve the brain's ability to process and identify sounds. So, after a daily walk, try brain games like Sudoku or crosswords to keep your mind sharp.

 

Hearing fatigue isn’t something you should have to deal with. There are ways to ease that auditory strain. Talk to your audiologist today for more tips and advice.

 

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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.