Chances are, earwax and its accumulation haven’t been subjects of significant contemplation for you, except maybe during ear hygiene sessions. Still, it’s crucial to have an understanding of its purpose and how it forms.
What triggers the accumulation of earwax?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is composed of a mix of sweat, skin particles, hair, debris, and ceruminous gland secretions. This earwax presents with a waxy consistency and can exhibit shades of orange, yellow, gray, or brown.
While the production amount of earwax varies from person to person, adults typically produce less earwax than kids. Kids also usually have softer earwax that’s lighter in color than adults.
Earwax passes the outer ear canal leisurely, eventually reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed away when you bathe.
Why is earwax important?
Earwax serves several critical functions, such as:
- Fending off potential infections that might occur within the ear canal.
- Stopping itchiness and dryness by moisturizing and protecting the lining of the ear canal.
- Acting as a protective barrier against external irritants including dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they infiltrate deeper into the ear.
Obstructions caused by earwax
Typically, there’s no crucial need to clean out 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 abnormally shaped ear canals.
Improper ear hygiene methods, like using cotton swabs or bobby pins, can unintentionally force wax deeper into the ear canal.
Earwax obstructions are often experienced by people who often use earplugs, earbuds, or hearing aids.
How is hearing impacted by too much earwax?
Auditory health might be impeded and you may feel mild discomfort.
Ringing in the ears, or tinnitus, might also occur.
Acoustic trauma may result in long-term hearing loss, perforated eardrums, and long-term hearing loss if earwax blockages go ignored.
Dealing with impacted earwax
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 such as a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clean the wax out, depending on the extent of the obstruction.
Give us a call right away if you need some help with an earwax obstruction.
