You probably don’t give a lot of thought to earwax buildup unless you’re in the process of clearing it out. Nonetheless, comprehending 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 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 circumstances, kids tend to produce more earwax than adults. Furthermore, adult earwax tends to be darker and harder compared to that of kids.
Earwax gets discharged or washed out after passing the outer ear canal and reaching the opening of the ear.
Why do we need earwax?
Here are a few important functions that earwax serves:
- Safeguarding and moisturizing the skin lining the ear canal, thereby preventing dryness and itchiness.
- Acting as a protective barricade against outside irritants like dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they infiltrate deeper into the ear.
- Helping counter ear infections.
Blockages caused by earwax
Usually, there’s no crucial need to remove earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a prevalent problem associated with earwax. In some cases, earwax is unable to easily get to the opening of the ear due to narrow or unusually shaped ear canals.
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 use earplugs or hearing aids are also predisposed to experiencing ear canal obstructions.
How too much earwax can impact hearing
The occurrence of earwax blockages may yield mild discomfort and impact auditory health.
Additionally, considerable buildup of earwax can induce tinnitus, a sensation of ringing in the ears.
Neglected earwax blockages may escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or lasting hearing impairment due to acoustic trauma.
Dealing with impacted earwax
It’s essential that you get in touch with us as soon as you can if you think your ears may be blocked by earwax. Depending on the extent of the obstruction, you might be advised to utilize over-the-counter wax softening drops or a bulb syringe for delicate irrigation to relieve the condition.
If you’re concerned about your earwax buildup, call us right away to schedule an appointment.
