Earwax serves to protect the ear from dust, debris, and bacteria. While earwax is a necessary and normal part of ear health, an excessive build- up can lead to discomfort, hearing difficulties, and other complications. In this blog, we will discuss why earwax buildup happens and how to prevent it.
Why Does Earwax Build-Up Happen? There are a number of factors that can contribute to earwax build-up, including:
-
Genetics: Some people are more prone to earwax build-up due to
the anatomy of their ear canal or the amount of ear wax produced.
Smaller people have smaller ear canals and smaller ear canals will
plug up with earwax faster than larger ear canals. Interestingly,
there is no difference in earwax production among males and
females. -
Age: As people age, the earwax can become drier and harder,
making it more difficult for it to naturally move out of the ear canal.
Only 10% of children experience earwax obstruction compared to
65% of patients over 60 years of age. -
Exposure to moisture: Exposure to moisture, such as from
showering, swimming, or sweating, can cause the earwax to
become softer and more prone to build-up. -
Use of hearing aids or earbuds: Hearing aid wearers are at
especially high risk for wax buildup. The hearing aid or ear mold,
acting as a foreign body, seems to stimulate increased production
of earwax and in addition, its presence in the ear canal prevents
the natural self-cleaning properties of the ear by plugging the outer
opening of the ear canal. Earbuds act in the same way. -
Skin conditions: Earwax can be more of an issue if you suffer
from eczema and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff). -
Insertion of foreign objects: Inserting foreign objects into the ear,
such as cotton swabs or bobby pins, actually pushes the earwax
further into the ear canal, causing blockages and risk possible
injury to the eardrum. The use of cotton swabs is the most common
cause of impacted earwax.
- Ear pain or discomfort
- Decreased hearing
- Four smell from the ear
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
- Cough
- Itching or fullness in the ear
- Dizziness or balance problems
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek
the advice of a healthcare professional.
How can you prevent earwax build up? Avoid inserting foreign objects into the ear, especially cotton swabs or bobby pins, as this can push the earwax further into the ear canal. Hearing aid wearers should see their healthcare professional every 3-6 months for evaluation and possible wax removal.
Healthcare professionals have the skill and instruments to safely remove earwax using a microscope and a variety of methods, including ear drops, ear irrigation, manual removal, and micro-suction. The choice of method will depend on the severity of the earwax build-up and your individual needs.
What are some safe ear wax removal methods? If you elect to self-clean, the safest and most efficient method to remove earwax at home is irrigation. As the name suggests, this process involves flushing your ear canal with a controlled, pressurized flow of warm water to dislodge and expel the impacted/excess earwax. This is the only method recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology (ENT Doctors) for its safety and effectiveness.
Conclusion: Earwax build-up can lead to discomfort and hearing difficulties, but it is a preventable condition. Maintaining a clean and dry ear canal, avoiding the insertion of foreign objects into the ear, and seeking the advice of a healthcare professional if necessary are all important steps to prevent excessive ear wax build-up. If you are experiencing symptoms of earwax build-up, seek the advice of a healthcare professional for safe and effective ear wax removal.