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9 Steps to Stop a Nosebleed
Nosebleeds (also called “epistaxis” in the medical community), are usually not a cause for concern. They often...
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Ear wax protects your ears from dirt, bacteria, and other small debris that can damage your ear canal and hearing. However, too much ear wax can end up blocking your ear canal and can potentially lead to difficulty hearing. Knowing how to safely and effectively remove ear wax can help you protect your hearing and ear health.
Ear wax is a natural substance that protects your ears by trapping small debris like dust and bacteria that can enter and damage your ears. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), ear wax also protects the delicate skin inside your ear canal from water-related irritation.
Ear wax moves from the inside of your ears to the outside part of the ear canal, collecting dead skin cells, dirt, and hair along the way. Harvard Medical School reports that ear wax has antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it an effective natural ear cleanser. It adds that your ears will likely feel itchy and uncomfortable if they do not produce or contain enough ear wax.
Ear wax removal can help you prevent and avoid hearing loss, reports the NLM. The NLM adds, most cases of ear wax buildup can be treated at home using methods that soften the wax so it can be easily removed or washed out. It adds that in some instances, you may need to ask for help from your healthcare provider to avoid damaging your ears or causing an infection.
Difficulty hearing due to ear wax buildup is usually temporary and resolves after the blockage has been removed, adds the NLM. Hearing loss that remains after ear wax removal should be assessed and treated by your doctor.
Excessive ear wax can lead to discomfort in the ears and hearing problems, reports the NLM. Ear pain, the sensation of having clogged ears, and noises in the ear known as tinnitus are common side effects of ear wax buildup, notes the NLM. You may also experience partial hearing loss that progressively gets worse.
Ear wax is also known as cerumen. It is a mixture of secretions from sebaceous glands and sweat glands in the walls of the outer ear canal, reports Harvard Medical School.
When you use your jaw to chew or talk, these secretions move through your inner ear canal to the outer ear canal, where they become dry and flaky. This allows older ear wax deposits to fall out or be removed more easily from your ears, notes Harvard Medical School.
Harvard Medical School describes ear wax as a natural ear cleanser that is produced by glands in your ear canal to protect your ears from harmful dirt and other debris. It adds that no one knows why some people tend to have more problems with excessive ear wax than others.
According to the University of Texas at Austin, older adults with coarse, wiry hairs in their ears tend to have more problems with ear wax buildup than others. People who wear hearing aids also tend to have more ear wax than others due to how some hearing devices are shaped in ways that prevent wax from moving easily out of the ear canal.
Many people use cotton swabs to remove ear wax buildup. However, many medical professionals advise against using this method, as it can push wax further into the ear canal, reports UC San Diego. It adds that the best way to clean ears is to use wax-softening ear drops that can be purchased from nearly any pharmacy.
The NLM suggests using solutions that can soften the wax in the ear, such as baby oil or mineral oil. Then, you can easily remove the ear wax from the outer ear canal using a small piece of cloth or tissue wrapped around your finger once you can see the wax.
The NLM also recommends consulting with a healthcare provider if you are having difficulty removing ear wax. A doctor can remove your ear wax using other irrigation methods or with a curette or suction device.
People who wear hearing aids should have their ear canals checked for excess wax every three to six months, suggests the NLM. Harvard Medical School adds that ear wax is responsible for between 60% and 70% of hearing aid damages. If you wear a hearing aid, ask your doctor to check for ear wax buildup no less frequently than every six months.
It’s possible to develop excessive ear wax if you do not clean your ears. Signs of too much ear wax include pain or itching in the ear, ringing in the ear, and a feeling that the ear is full or clogged, reports the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH adds you may also experience odor or discharge from the ear, or hearing loss if you do not clean your ears.
You do not need to do anything to prevent ear wax buildup. However, in the event it does build up, you should remove the ear wax from your ears or have it removed by a medical professional to prevent hearing loss and ear discomfort., reports the NLM
Too much ear wax can cause symptoms including earache, fullness in the ear, tinnitus, and partial hearing loss, reports the NLM.
Ear cleaning methods for ear wax removal should not hurt or cause pain. If you do experience discomfort while removing ear wax, the NLM recommends consulting with a medical professional for help with removal.
In most cases, your hearing will return completely after the ear wax blockage is removed, says the NLM. Hearing loss caused by ear wax buildup is usually only temporary and lasts until you get your ears cleaned.
The NIH says your ear wax should come out naturally on its own when your body no longer needs it. It adds that you should only remove wax from your ears if you are experiencing symptoms of too much ear wax or you can see the wax near the end of the ear canal
The cost of ear wax removal depends on the method you use, reports the NIH. Your healthcare provider may be able to recommend the best ear wax removal method for you based on your budget and income.
Cotton swabs can push ear wax deeper into the ear canal, which can damage your eardrum or the sensitive skin inside the ear canal, reports the NIH and NLM. The NLM recommends using other ear cleaning methods for safe, effective ear wax removal.
Ear wax can be removed by your primary care doctor or a doctor specializing in ear, nose, and throat health. Use Solv to find an ear wax removal provider today and book a same-day or next-day appointment directly from the website.
Updated on Aug 25, 2024
Solv has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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