15/02/2026
DID YOU KNOW?
Persistent subjective ear fullness following wax removal can sometimes be observed, likely related to cortical sensory adaptation after prolonged occlusion…when the ear canal has been blocked by wax for a prolonged period, the brain adapts to the altered sensory input, both from sound and from somatosensory receptors in the ear canal and tympanic membrane (ear drum).
The auditory cortex and somatosensory pathways have been ‘trained’ to expect reduced stimulation.
When the obstruction is suddenly cleared (via microsuction or warm water irrigation) the auditory input normalises quickly, but the brain may still ‘perceive’ a sense of blockage.
This is sometimes called ‘phantom blockage’ 👂