Chances are, earwax and its accumulation haven’t been subjects of extensive consideration for you, except maybe during ear hygiene sessions. Still, it’s crucial to have an understanding of its purpose and how it develops.
So why does earwax accumulate?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is made up of a mix of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, and ceruminous gland secretions. This earwax presents with a waxy texture and can exhibit shades of orange, yellow, gray, or brown.
In most instances, kids tend to generate more earwax than adults. Kids also typically have softer earwax that’s lighter in color than adults.
Earwax passes the outer ear canal leisurely, ultimately reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed away when you bathe.
Why is earwax crucial?
Earwax serves several essential functions, such as:
- Helping prevent ear infections.
- Stopping itchiness and dryness by lubricating and protecting the lining of the ear canal.
- Before things like dust, dirt, or other outside debris get further up into the ear canal, earwax acts as a roadblock.
Obstructions caused by earwax
Usually, there’s no imperative need to remove earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a common problem linked to earwax. In some cases, earwax is unable to easily get to the opening of the ear due to narrow or unusually shaped ear canals.
Improper ear hygiene methods, like using cotton swabs or bobby pins, can inadvertently force wax deeper into the ear canal.
People wrestling with hearing loss who make use of earplugs or hearing aids are also predisposed to experiencing ear canal blockages.
How excessive earwax can impact hearing
Auditory health might be hindered and you may feel mild discomfort.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, may also happen.
Untreated earwax blockages may escalate into middle ear infections, perforated eardrums, or lasting hearing loss due to acoustic trauma.
How do you tackle impacted wax?
It’s essential 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 utilize over-the-counter products like a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clean the wax out, depending on the extent of the obstruction.
Call us right away if you need some help with an earwax obstruction.
