Ear Wax Buildup: What You Should be Aware of

Woman suffering from earwax blockage applying ear drops herself

Don’t forget to wash your ears. It’s difficult not to say that in your “parenting” voice. Maybe when you were a kid you even recall your parents telling you to do it. As you get caught up in past nostalgia, that sort of memory can take you back to simpler times.

But it’s also great advice. Out-of-control earwax buildup can cause a significant number of issues, particularly for your hearing. And additionally, earwax can harden up inside your ear and become really difficult to clean. In other words, the clearer you keep your ears, the better off you’ll be.

Excessive earwax? Eww!

We get it, earwax is not the most appealing of materials. And we’re not going to attempt to change your mind about that. But earwax does serve a purpose. Created by specialized glands in your ear and churned outwards by your jaw’s chewing motion, earwax can help keep dust and dirt out of your ears.

So your ears will remain clean and healthy when they generate the right amount of earwax. However counterintuitive it seems, the reality is that earwax itself isn’t a sign of bad hygiene.

An excessive amount of earwax is where the trouble starts. And, naturally, it can sometimes be a little bit challenging to tell when a healthy amount of earwax begins to outweigh its advantages (literally).

What is the consequence of accumulated earwax?

So, what kind of impact does excess earwax have? Earwax that gets out of hand and, over time, builds up, can cause several problems. Here are a few:

  • Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a condition where you hear a phantom buzzing or ringing in your ears. Tinnitus symptoms can show up or get worse when earwax accumulates inside your ear.
  • Infection: Infections can be the consequence of surplus earwax. If fluid builds up, it can become trapped behind plugged earwax.
  • Dizziness: Your inner ear is vital to your balance. You can suffer from bouts of dizziness and balance problems when your inner ear is having issues.
  • Earache: One of the most common signs of excess earwax is an earache. Sometimes, it doesn’t hurt that bad, and other times it can hurt a lot. This usually happens when earwax is causing pressure in places where it shouldn’t be.

These are just a few. Headaches and discomfort can occur because of uncontrolled earwax accumulation. Too much earwax can hinder the functionality of hearing aids. This means that you may think your hearing aids are having problems when the real problem is a bit too much earwax.

Can your hearing be affected by earwax?

Well, yes it can. Hearing loss is one of the most common problems connected to excess earwax. When earwax builds up in the ear canal it causes a blockage of sound causing a form of hearing loss called conductive hearing loss. The issue normally goes away when the earwax is extracted, and normally, your hearing will return to normal.

But there can be sustained damage caused by accumulated earwax, particularly if the buildup gets extreme enough. And tinnitus is also usually temporary but when earwax blockage lingers, long-term damage can cause tinnitus to become an enduring condition.

Prevention, treatment, or both?

If you want to safeguard your hearing, then it seems logical to keep an eye on your earwax. It’s improper cleaning, not excess production that causes buildup in most cases (a cotton swab, for instance, will frequently compress the earwax in your ear instead of removing it, eventually causing a blockage).

It will often call for professional eradication of the wax that has become hardened to the point that you can’t remove it. You’ll be capable of starting to hear again after you get that treatment and then you can start over, cleaning your ears the right way.



References
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14428-ear-wax-buildup–blockage

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.

Questions? Talk To Us.