Chances are, earwax and its buildup haven’t been subjects of significant contemplation for you, except maybe during ear hygiene routines. Still, it’s crucial to have an understanding of its purpose and how it forms.
What triggers the accumulation of earwax?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is made up of a mix of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, and ceruminous gland secretions. This earwax presents with a waxy texture and can exhibit shades of orange, yellow, gray, or brown.
While the production amount of earwax varies from person to person, adults typically generate less earwax than kids. Furthermore, adult earwax is usually darker and denser compared to that of children.
Earwax goes by the outer ear canal leisurely, eventually reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed away during bathing.
Why is earwax crucial?
Here are some crucial functions that earwax serves:
- Helping counter ear infections.
- Safeguarding and moisturizing the skin lining the ear canal, thereby preventing dryness and itchiness.
- Acting as a protective barricade against external irritants like dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they penetrate deeper into the ear.
Blockages caused by earwax
Typically, there’s no crucial need to clean out earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a prevalent issue associated with earwax. Impacted earwax can stem from narrow or unusually shaped ear canals impeding the natural movement of earwax toward the ear’s periphery.
Wax can be unintentionally pushed up into the ear canal by utilizing poor cleaning methods like using cotton swabs.
Individuals grappling with hearing loss who utilize earplugs or hearing aids are also susceptible to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How is hearing affected by too much earwax?
The occurrence of earwax blockages may yield slight discomfort and impact auditory health.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, could also occur.
Neglected earwax obstructions may escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or lasting hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma.
How do you tackle impacted wax?
If you think you have an earwax blockage, consulting us quickly is essential. You might be advised to use over-the-counter products like a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clear the wax out, depending on the extent of the blockage.
If you’re worried about your earwax buildup, call us right away to schedule an appointment.