Impacted ear wax may cause earache, unsteadiness, deafness and noises in the ear (tinnitus). Getting water in the ears may make the symptoms worse. The best way of removing wax is by microsuction, which is like vacuum cleaning on a small scale with the surgeon using a microscope to visualize the ear better. It should be painless, and the relief instant.
Using earbuds in those individuals with narrow ear canals may increase wax impaction. Similarly, those suffering from ear canal eczema or psoriasis (skin conditions with flakes in the ear) may have increased wax accumulation and may require more frequent cleaning.