Chances are, earwax and its buildup haven’t been subjects of significant consideration for you, except maybe during ear hygiene routines. Still, it’s essential to have an understanding of its purpose and how it develops.
So why does earwax build-up?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is composed of a combination of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, 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 produce more earwax than adults. Children also normally have softer earwax that’s lighter in color than adults.
Earwax goes by the outer ear canal leisurely, ultimately reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed out during bathing.
Why is earwax important?
Here are some crucial functions that earwax serves:
- Preventing itchiness and dryness by moisturizing and protecting the lining of the ear canal.
- Acting as a protective barricade against outside irritants like dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they penetrate deeper into the ear.
- Helping prevent ear infections.
Obstructions caused by earwax
Typically, there’s no critical need to remove earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a common problem linked to earwax. Sometimes, earwax is unable to easily get to the opening of the ear due to narrow or unusually shaped ear canals.
Poor ear hygiene methods, such as using cotton swabs or bobby pins, can inadvertently push wax deeper into the ear canal.
Individuals wrestling with hearing loss who use earplugs or hearing aids are also predisposed to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How too much earwax can affect hearing
The presence of earwax blockages might yield slight discomfort and impact auditory health.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, could also occur.
Acoustic trauma may lead to long-term hearing loss, perforated eardrums, and long-term hearing loss if earwax blockages go ignored.
How do you deal with impacted wax?
It’s crucial that you contact us as soon as possible if you think your ears are blocked by earwax. You might be advised to utilize over-the-counter products like a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clear the wax out, depending on the extent of the obstruction.
If you’re concerned about your earwax buildup, call us right away to schedule an appointment.
