Everything You Need to Know About Earwax

Everything You Need to Know About Earwax

Earwax, or cerumen, is a substance that often goes unnoticed until it causes a problem. Earwax is a natural secretion that plays an essential role in the health and functioning of our ears. Here’s what you should know about earwax.

What Exactly is Earwax?

Earwax is a combination of secretions from the sweat and sebaceous glands at the outer part of the ear canal. It also includes sloughed-off skin cells, dirt, and foreign particles. The color and consistency of earwax can vary from light yellow to dark brown, and from soft and sticky to dry and crumbly, depending on an individual’s genetics and environmental factors.

The Protective Role of Earwax

Earwax protects the ear canal in a few important ways:

  • Lubrication: Earwax acts as a natural moisturizer, preventing the delicate skin within the ear canal from becoming too dry and itchy.
  • Barrier: Cerumen serves as a protective barrier, trapping dust, dirt, and other foreign particles that could otherwise make their way deeper into the ear canal, potentially causing harm.
  • Antimicrobial Properties: Earwax has some antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent infections within the ear canal.
  • Self-Cleaning Mechanism: The ear is a self-cleaning organ. The movements of the jaw during activities such as talking and chewing, help to move old earwax out of the ear canal to the opening of the ear, where it can dry out and flake away naturally.

The Problem with Earwax Buildup

Despite its beneficial qualities, earwax buildup can sometimes lead to issues that need to be addressed.

Blockages and Impactation

Excess earwax can accumulate and harden in the ear canal, creating a blockage known as cerumen impaction. This condition can lead to symptoms such as earache, tinnitus, hearing loss, a sensation of fullness, dizziness, and more.

Hearing Aid Users

For individuals who use hearing aids or earbuds regularly, the presence of these devices in the ear can disrupt the natural migration of wax, increasing the likelihood of wax buildup and blockage.

Misguided Removal Attempts

At-home removal techniques, like cotton swabs or ear candles, can often do more harm than good by pushing the earwax deeper into the ear canal or risking injury or infection.

Best Practices for Managing Earwax

Here’s how you can manage earwax safely and effectively:

Recognizing Symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of earwax buildup is the first step. If you notice any changes in your hearing or the onset of the symptoms such as earaches or feeling of fullness, you may have excessive earwax.

At-Home Care

Over-the-counter drops can soften earwax, making it easier for the ear to expel naturally. However, this should be done with caution and according to the product instructions or a healthcare professional’s guidance.

Professional Care

If you suspect a blockage, the wisest choice is to seek professional care. Attempting to remove earwax without proper training can damage the ear.

Professional Earwax Removal

With the array of DIY remedies available, it might be tempting to manage earwax buildup alone. However, there can be risk factors involved that make professional assessment and removal the safer option.

Existing conditions like a perforated eardrum or ear infections require a professional’s touch. Those with diabetes or a compromised immune system should also avoid at-home earwax removal due to an increased risk of ear infections.

Safe Removal Techniques

Hearing health professionals are equipped with specialized tools and expertise for safe and comfortable earwax removal. Techniques can include microsuction, irrigation, or manual removal with specialized instruments.

Practicing Good Earwax Hygiene

While it’s not advisable to obsess over earwax, having regular check-ups and addressing issues promptly will support overall ear health. Good practices include:

  • Regular Check-Ups: Regular visits to a hearing health professional can help you monitor earwax and ear health overall, especially if you’re prone to wax buildup or if you wear hearing aids.
  • Professional Earwax Removal: Getting your ears professionally cleaned on an as-needed basis can prevent the likelihood of impaction. It’s the best way to manage earwax without damaging the delicate structures of the ear.
  • Avoiding Unsafe Cleaning Practices: Steer clear of unsafe at-home remedies like ear candling or using cotton swabs in the ear canal. When you avoid these practices, you’ll reduce the risk of complications associated with improper earwax removal.

Visit Us for Professional Earwax Removal

Earwax serves many functions, from protection to cleanliness. But if you’ve noticed a buildup of earwax, visit us for proper earwax removal so your ears stay happy and healthy.