It’s likely that earwax and its accumulation haven’t been subjects of extensive contemplation for you, except maybe during ear hygiene routines. Nonetheless, comprehending what causes earwax, how it forms, and its purpose is essential.
What causes the buildup of earwax?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is made up of a combination of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, and ceruminous gland secretions. This earwax presents with a waxy consistency and can show shades of orange, yellow, gray, or brown.
In most situations, kids tend to produce more earwax than adults. Children also usually have softer earwax that’s lighter in color than adults.
Earwax goes by the outer ear canal leisurely, eventually reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed out when you bathe.
Why is earwax important?
Here are a few crucial functions that earwax serves:
- Acting as a protective barricade against external irritants like dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they penetrate deeper into the ear.
- Preventing itchiness and dryness by lubricating and safeguarding the lining of the ear canal.
- Helping prevent ear infections.
Earwax blockages
Typically, there’s no imperative need to clean out earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a common issue linked to earwax. Impacted earwax can stem from narrow or unusually shaped ear canals impeding the natural movement of earwax toward the ear’s opening.
Poor ear hygiene methods, like using cotton swabs or bobby pins, can inadvertently force wax deeper into the ear canal.
Individuals wrestling with hearing loss who utilize earplugs or hearing aids are also susceptible to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How excessive earwax can affect hearing
Auditory health might be impeded and you might feel minor discomfort.
Additionally, substantial buildup of earwax can induce tinnitus, a feeling of ringing in the ears.
Untreated earwax obstructions may escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or lasting hearing loss as a result of acoustic trauma.
How do you deal with impacted wax?
It’s crucial that you get in touch with us as soon as you can if you think your ears are blocked by earwax. You may be advised to use over-the-counter products like a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clean the wax out, depending on the severity of the blockage.
Give us a call right away if you need some help with an earwax obstruction.