Ear wax, known medically as cerumen, is a normal and necessary secretion produced by specialised glands located in the outer parts of the ear canal. Far from being a huge annoyance, ear wax performs essential roles in lubricating and cleaning the ear canal while also providing some protection from germs and foreign particles.
Though the body naturally pushes old ear wax outwards over time where it dries and usually flakes off painlessly, sometimes blockages can still occur depending on wax type, production levels and habits that inadvertently push wax deeper into the canals. When impacted wax fully blocks the ear, it can lead to temporary hearing loss and discomfort. In rare cases, it may require professional removal.
To avoid complications, understanding the symptoms, impact and safe removal options for troublesome ear wax is very useful.
Common Causes of an Ear Wax Buildup
The most common cause of problematic ear wax buildup is simply overproduction of cerumen in the ear canal. Some people just naturally produce excess wax while others produce a thicker, harder type that is more likely to get stuck.
- Things that can increase production and impaction include attempts to clean the ear with cotton swabs, bobby pins or fingers, which pushes wax inward.
- Using headphones, earbuds and hearing aids also obstructs the canal, preventing natural wax migration outward.
- Environmental factors like dust and humidity can also trap wax while skin conditions like eczema cause dry, flaky skin, adding to blockages.
- Older adults tend to be more vulnerable as ear canals grow hair and become narrower.
- Genetics plays a clear role.
While wax is normal, these factors can tip the balance towards impaction.
Signs an Ear Wax Blockage is Present
The most obvious symptom signalling excess ear wax is noticeable muffled hearing, especially if it is only in one ear. Even partial blockages will make sounds more faint, dull or distorted. Other symptoms may include:
- An uncomfortable sensation of fullness or pressure in the ear – This feeling of blockage in the ear canal builds over time as wax accumulates and presses on the eardrum.
- Ringing, buzzing or itching in either or both ears – These annoying sensations originating in the ear itself rather than externally are common symptoms tied directly to the presence of an ear wax impaction.
- Feeling off balance and a little dizzy at times – The ears play a crucial role in balance and orientation, so wax blockages can confuse the brain’s equilibrium sensors causing intermittent lightheaded spells.
- Ear discomfort or even mild pain that comes and goes – As wax presses more and more, the outer ear and eardrum areas often feel sore and tender, with the pain varying based on buildup level.
- Faint sounds of cracking or popping when moving the jaw – Hard, dry wax plugs shifting position against eardrum tissues as the jaw moves creates this noticeable crackling or popping.
- Coughing or jaw motion dislodging pieces of hardened wax – Coughs or chewing motions can abruptly loosen trapped wax chunks deeper in the canal so that they suddenly come free into the ear opening briefly.
Hearing Loss and Communication Difficulties
The ear canal essentially acts like a tunnel channelling soundwaves towards that amazing organ in the inner ear, the cochlea. When debris or wax fills this tunnel, it interferes with how sounds reach their sensory cells leading to poorer hearing. This is especially the case for higher frequency sounds like consonants, which give speech intelligibility.
Consequently, earwax blockages make it harder to discern words clearly – the same effect produced when wearing earplugs or earmuffs. Even mild hearing loss can significantly impact ability to communicate well and easily follow conversations. Frustration and social isolation often result. It’s unsurprising that multiple studies have linked wax impaction to poorer work performance, stress and poorer quality of life especially in the elderly.
Other Health Issues
While ear wax blockages rarely lead to serious health issues, the buildup of trapped moisture can in some cases increase risks of minor infections behind the wax plug. Known as external otitis, symptoms may feature more swelling, redness, pain and tenderness with discharge evident once wax shifts.
Trying to resolve pain symptoms with cotton buds and tools that just jam wax deeper risks more severe infections called otitis media where the eardrum has been damaged. Even without complications though, walking around with muffled hearing even briefly can raise safety issues and awareness risks.
Seeking Professional Ear Wax Removal
When over-the-counter ear drops or debrox kits fail to clear blockages after a few weeks, the next step is seeing a doctor, audiologist or specialist ear nurse to perform a microsuction procedure. This quick procedure for ear wax removal is much safer than irrigation, as it doesn’t use any fluids or gels.
Ear wax removal via microsuction involves the clinician using a microscope or loupes to see where the ear wax has accumulated, which makes it a much safer procedure. Results are instant.
Self-help Tips to Prevent Ear Wax Building Up
While a small minority simply produce excess wax inevitably requiring professional removal, for many people, avoiding overzealous habits provides the simplest way to prevent problematic build-ups. Useful dos and don’ts include:
Do:
- Use over-the-counter ear drops containing known wax softeners like glycerol or olive oil for several nights before earwax removal.
- Gently rinse the outer ear and canal openings when showering, allowing water to naturally help flush wax out slowly.
- Ensure any use of cotton buds only ever cleans superficial outer ear folds rather than pushing deeper inwards.
Don’t:
- Avoid the use of candles, vacuums or flushing significant volumes of liquid to attempt to remove wax. This almost always causes harm.
- Don’t routinely dry inside your ears after swimming or bathing. This prevents natural outward wax migration.
- Don’t overuse headphones or hearing protection devices that obstruct wax exiting. Take regular breaks.
Seeing wax as an essential protective friend rather than a blocking foe helps ensure you let your ears cleanse themselves naturally most of the time.