You most likely don’t give a lot of thought to earwax buildup unless you’re in the process of cleaning it out. Nonetheless, understanding what causes earwax, how it develops, and its purpose is essential.
So why does earwax accumulate?
Earwax, scientifically known as cerumen, is a thick combination of debris, hair, skin particles, sweat, and ceruminous gland secretions. Earwax will show up as a waxy substance that will typically be yellow, orange, brown, or even grey.
In most instances, children tend to generate more earwax than adults. Moreover, adult earwax tends to be darker and harder compared to that of kids.
Earwax goes by the outer ear canal naturally, eventually reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed out when you bathe.
Why is earwax essential?
Earwax serves several critical functions, such as:
- Helping counter ear infections.
- Stopping itchiness and dryness by lubricating and safeguarding the lining of the ear canal.
- Acting as a protective barricade against external irritants including dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they penetrate deeper into the ear.
Earwax blockages
Typically, there’s no imperative need to remove earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a common issue linked to earwax. Impacted earwax can be the result of narrow or unusually shaped ear canals impeding the natural movement of earwax toward the ear’s periphery.
Wax can be accidentally pushed up into the ear canal by utilizing improper cleaning methods like using cotton swabs.
People 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
Auditory health might be hindered and you might feel slight discomfort.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, may also happen.
Neglected earwax obstructions might escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or enduring hearing impairment as a result of acoustic trauma.
Dealing with impacted earwax
Should you suspect an earwax blockage, consulting us immediately is essential. You may be advised to utilize over-the-counter products like a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clean the wax out, depending on the extent of the blockage.
Call us right away if you need some assistance with an earwax blockage.