Is it true that untreated impacted earwax can cause permanent hearing loss? i've had conductive hearing loss for about three weeks after having rubbed my ear hard. but i am discouraged from going to the doc due to covid. how long is too long? scared?

Impacted ear wax can definetly cause hearing loss but unlikely to be permanent. Not clear why you would have a hearing loss from rubbing your ear hard unless you used something inside your ear canal. Do not be discouraged from going to the doctor. His/her risk of getting COVID from a patient is much greater than yours. Doctor's offices are taking proper precautions.

Earwax in the ear canal is an obstruction to sound waves that would usually be transmitted by the eardrum to your inner ear and thus to your brain. When the wax is removed, the temporary hearing loss is resolved. There are over-the-counter drops that can be used to dissolve the wax until you can see your doctor for an examination. This usually does not cause a permanent hearing loss.