What we assess
- Outer and middle-ear infection
- Eardrum perforation and discharge
- Tinnitus and hearing loss
- Cholesteatoma and chronic ear disease
Assessment and care
- Otoscopy or microscopic ear examination
- Audiometry and tympanometry when indicated
- Medication, ear care or surgical advice
What causes a blocked ear and reduced hearing?
A blocked ear with reduced hearing may result from impacted wax, an ear infection, middle-ear fluid, an eardrum perforation, Eustachian-tube dysfunction or inner-ear hearing loss. Symptoms alone cannot reliably identify the cause; otoscopy and sometimes audiometry and tympanometry are needed. Sudden hearing loss in one ear requires urgent, ideally same-day, ENT assessment.
Common causes
Wax, infection, middle-ear fluid, eardrum perforation, pressure dysfunction and sensorineural hearing loss.
Diagnosis
Ear examination, pure-tone audiometry and selected tympanometry identify the cause and degree of loss.
Treatment options
Cause-based care may include safe wax removal, infection treatment, monitoring, hearing rehabilitation or selected surgery.
When it is urgent
Seek urgent care for sudden one-sided loss, facial weakness, severe vertigo or bleeding after head injury.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do for ear discharge?+
Keep the ear dry and avoid cotton buds, oils or unprescribed drops. Seek ENT assessment for pain, odour, fever or persistent discharge.
Is sudden hearing loss urgent?+
Yes. Sudden loss, especially in one ear, needs prompt ENT assessment—ideally on the same day.
Does tinnitus always mean ear disease?+
No. Wax, hearing loss, noise exposure, medicines and other factors can contribute. One-sided or pulse-synchronous tinnitus should be assessed.
Learn more
Reputable sources related to the patient-education information on this page.
TinnitusNIH/NIDCD↗CholesteatomaNHS↗