You probably don’t give a lot of thought to earwax accumulation unless you’re in the process of clearing it out. Still, it’s crucial to have an understanding of its purpose and how it forms.
What causes the buildup of earwax?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is made up of a mix of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, and ceruminous gland secretions. Earwax will appear as a waxy substance that will usually be yellow, orange, brown, or even grey.
While the production amount of earwax varies from individual to individual, adults usually produce less earwax than children. Children also usually have softer earwax that’s lighter in color than adults.
Earwax gets expelled or washed out after passing the outer ear canal and reaching the opening of the ear.
Why do we need earwax?
Here are some crucial functions that earwax serves:
- Protecting and moisturizing the skin lining the ear canal, thereby preventing dryness and itchiness.
- Before things like dust, dirt, or other external debris get further up into the ear canal, earwax acts as a roadblock.
- Helping counter ear infections.
Blockages caused by earwax
Impacted earwax is a common problem, but it’s typically the only time you need to worry about it. Impacted earwax can be the result of narrow or abnormally shaped ear canals impeding the normal movement of earwax toward the ear’s opening.
Wax can be unintentionally crammed up into the ear canal by utilizing poor cleaning practices like using cotton swabs.
Individuals wrestling with hearing loss who use earplugs or hearing aids are also predisposed to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How too much earwax can impact hearing
The presence of earwax blockages may yield mild discomfort and dampen auditory health.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, might also occur.
Untreated earwax blockages might escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or enduring hearing impairment due to acoustic trauma.
Addressing impacted earwax
It’s essential that you get in touch with us as soon as possible if you think your ears may be blocked by earwax. Depending on the extent of the obstruction, you might be advised to utilize over-the-counter wax softening drops or a bulb syringe for gentle irrigation to alleviate the condition.
Call us right away if you need some assistance with an earwax blockage.