The Problems with Too Much Earwax

It’s healthy to have some earwax in your ears. However, too much earwax can become a problem. On top of causing minor issues, excess earwax can cause blockages deep within the ear, which can lead to discomfort and hearing loss. 

This post delves more into the problems with too much earwax and how you can remove this earwax and prevent future build-ups. 

What is Earwax?

Earwax is sometimes medically referred to as ‘cerumen’. It is produced by the body in order to protect the ears – on top of helping to trap dust and other foreign substances, it has antibacterial properties.

A lot of people think that earwax is produced deep within the ear, but in fact it is produced by two glands outside of the ear canal. As we chew and exercise, earwax is naturally expelled out of the ears. However, sometimes earwax can end up moving deeper into our ears, leading to unwanted build-ups.

What Earwax Buildups?

There are many things that can cause earwax to build-up. A few common causes of excess earwax include:

• Inflammation of the ear (such as ‘swimmer’s ear’)
• Skin conditions affecting the ear
• Excess ear hair
• Using cotton buds to clean your ears (this usually ends up pushing earwax further into your ears)
• Regularly wearing earbuds, earplugs or an in-ear hearing aid (this prevents earwax from being expelled by ears, causing it to build up)

What are the problems with too much earwax?

Too much earwax in your ears could lead to build-ups, which may eventually turn into blockages known as ‘impactions’. An impaction can cause many problems such as:

• Hearing loss: Having too much earwax could make it difficult to hear out of the affected ear. This hearing loss could get worse if the impaction is not treated.
• Discomfort within the ear: Excess earwax can create a sense of fullness within the ear. There may even be itchiness that you cannot reach to scratch. This can be very uncomfortable.
• Tinnitus: Some people experience tinnitus or ‘ringing in the ears’ when they have too much earwax. This can make concentration difficult and may make it hard to get to sleep.
• Pain within the ear: Earwax can sometimes harden up and form a plug within the ear that may cause mild pain. It may even cause pressure on the eardrum.
• Dizziness: Our ears affect our sense of balance. Some people experience a feeling of dizziness if they have too much earwax in their ears. 

Removing Too Much Wax

Our ears are designed to clean themselves. However, when impactions start to occur deep within the ear canal, your ears may no longer be able to naturally expel this earwax.

So just how should you clean your ears? One thing you should never do is use cotton swabs. Contrary to popular belief, cotton swabs are not designed to clean your ears with. In fact, in most cases, you’ll just end up pushing earwax further into your ear, causing greater problems. This could lead to drying ear canals, which actually signals thee body to produce more wax, a deeper impaction or a ruptured eardrum.

When dealing with a stubborn compaction, schedule an appointment with a hearing provider. The professional uses special tools to clean out your ears, which could include pumping water and saline into the ear or using microsuction options. 

Preventing Further Impactions

You cannot always prevent earwax build-ups – some people are naturally prone to impactions due to having smaller ear canals or more active glands. However, there are some causes of excess earwax that you can take measures against. 

For example, you could consider which types of hearing instruments you use. If you wear an ITE hearing aid and you are experiencing earwax build-ups, you want to ensure you are frequently cleaning your device to remove any stuck wax. A hearing instrument specialist may also be able to help you choose earplugs to reduce earwax.

It’s also important to stop using cotton swabs inside your ears. You can use them to clean around the ears, but you should avoid putting them inside your ears – this really is a major cause of build-ups. If you have excess hair growth within your ears, you could also consider buying an ear trimmer. There are also professional ear hair removal services that you can look into. Removing this hair could help to prevent build-ups. 

You can find out more about how to deal with too much earwax by talking to professionals at Hearing Well Matters. Call (647) 247-2704 for more information.