You probably don’t give much thought to earwax buildup unless you’re in the process of clearing it out. Nonetheless, understanding what causes earwax, how it forms, and its purpose is crucial.
So why does earwax accumulate?
Earwax, also scientifically called cerumen, is composed of a mix of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, and ceruminous gland secretions. Earwax will appear as a waxy substance that will usually be yellow, orange, brown, or even grey.
In most circumstances, children tend to generate more earwax than adults. Children also usually have softer earwax that’s lighter in color than adults.
Earwax gets discharged or washed out after passing the outer ear canal and reaching the opening of the ear.
Why do we need earwax?
Earwax serves several critical functions, such as:
- Fending off possible infections that might occur within the ear canal.
- Acting as a protective barricade against external irritants including dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they infiltrate deeper into the ear.
- Stopping itchiness and dryness by lubricating and safeguarding the lining of the ear canal.
Earwax obstructions
Typically, there’s no critical need to remove earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a common issue linked to earwax. In some cases, earwax is unable to easily get to the opening of the ear as a result of narrow or abnormally shaped ear canals.
Wax can be unintentionally crammed up into the ear canal by utilizing poor cleaning methods like using cotton swabs.
Individuals wrestling with hearing loss who utilize earplugs or hearing aids are also susceptible to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How is hearing impacted by excessive earwax?
The occurrence of earwax blockages might yield mild discomfort and impact auditory health.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, could also occur.
Untreated earwax blockages might escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or enduring hearing impairment as a result of acoustic trauma.
How do you tackle impacted wax?
It’s essential that you get in touch with us as soon as possible if you think your ears may be blocked by earwax. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, you may be advised to make use of over-the-counter wax softening drops or a bulb syringe for delicate irrigation to relieve the condition.
If you’re worried about your earwax buildup, call us right away to schedule an appointment.
