Hearing Dr Gill Jenkins Everyone loses some of their fine hearing ability with age, as the auditory nerves die, but there are ways to reduce your risk of significant deafness.

In this article

When to see your GP Ear wax

Glue ear Hearing tests

Protecting your hearing

The ear is a sensitive organ and plays a role in hearing and balance. To hear well, you need healthy nerves and a clear conduction system through which sound can travel.

You should see your GP if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Deafness
• Tinnitus (ringing or buzzing)
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Loss of balance
• Ear pain
• Discharge from your ear

The most common cause of hearing loss is a build-up of wax. The ear canal makes wax to protect itself from infection. The amount different people's ears make varies from large amounts to very little.

If you suspect you may have a wax blockage, apply ear drops twice a day for four days. This may soften the wax enough that it dissolves and falls out. It doesn't matter which drops you use - cheap olive oil drops or oils from your chemist are just as good as expensive brands.

If you still have hearing problems, see your practice nurse, who can check your ears. If wax is present it can be syringed, or removed by suction.

Another common cause of deafness is a collection of 'glue' in the middle ear. This is a thick mucus that develops when you have a cold or catarrh. If it doesn't drain after your cold, it can prevent the passage of sound through the ear.

You can treat catarrh with decongestants from your pharmacist. The old-fashioned steam method can also help. Fill a bowl with hot steamy water, adding menthol crystals if you want. Put a towel over your head and inhale the steam. This should help to soften the glue and let it drain into the back of your throat. Take care to avoid scalding.

If this is difficult for you to do, sit near a boiling kettle or run a hot bath. Again, beware of scalding yourself.

If you're referred to a specialist, you'll probably have an audiogram. This painless test measures your range of hearing. The results show the doctor what sort of hearing loss you have and can give some idea of the cause.

Some ear problems require surgery, but in older patients the problem is often irreversible nerve damage. The treatment is a hearing aid, and there are many types to choose from.

The nerves in your ear don't take kindly to loud noises, and when they die they can't be replaced. You can protect your hearing by:

• Wearing ear defenders when doing noisy activities
• Not inserting anything into the ear canal
• Seeking prompt treatment if you suspect an ear infection

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Rob Hicks in July 2007.
First published in March 2000.