Chances are, earwax and its buildup haven’t been subjects of significant consideration for you, except maybe during ear hygiene routines. Nonetheless, understanding what causes earwax, how it forms, and its purpose is crucial.
What initiates the buildup of earwax?
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 usually be yellow, orange, brown, or even grey.
In most instances, children tend to generate more earwax than adults. Moreover, adult earwax is usually darker and denser compared to that of kids.
Earwax goes by the outer ear canal naturally, ultimately reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed away during bathing.
Why is earwax important?
Earwax serves several critical functions, such as:
- Protecting and lubricating the skin lining the ear canal, thereby preventing dryness and itchiness.
- Fending off potential infections that may develop within the ear canal.
- Before things like dust, dirt, or other outside debris go further up into the ear canal, earwax acts as a roadblock.
Obstructions caused by earwax
Impacted earwax is a common problem, but it’s usually the only time you need to be concerned about it. In some cases, earwax is unable to easily get to the opening of the ear due to narrow or abnormally shaped ear canals.
Wax can be accidentally pushed up into the ear canal by utilizing improper cleaning methods like using cotton swabs.
People grappling with hearing loss who make use of earplugs or hearing aids are also predisposed to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How too much earwax can impact hearing
Auditory health may be impeded and you might feel slight discomfort.
In addition, significant buildup of earwax can trigger tinnitus, a sensation of ringing in the ears.
Acoustic trauma may result in long-term hearing impairment, perforated eardrums, and long-term hearing loss if earwax blockages go ignored.
How do you tackle impacted wax?
It’s essential 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 such as a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clean the wax out, depending on the extent of the blockage.
If you’re worried about your earwax buildup, call us today to schedule an appointment.
The content of this blog is the intellectual property of MedPB.com and is reprinted here with permission.
The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive a personalized free hearing test and hearing loss consultation, call today to set up an appointment.
