What Causes Earwax?
Earwax, also called cerumen, is a normal part of a person’s ear. It is created by the body as protection for the ears. Earwax has antibacterial properties. It is secreted by glands in the skin that line the ear canal. The ceruminous glands and the sebaceous glands produce the wax. Earwax can trap foreign particles from going deeper into the ear canal. As stated above, earwax is a normal substance in the ear. When earwax is blocking the ear or causing pain, hearing loss, tinnitus among other symptoms, it is recommended to see an audiologist or ear, nose and throat physician.
What Is Earwax Buildup?
Earwax buildup is an accumulation of wax in the ear. Earwax comes out of the ear naturally with jaw movements, or with new skin growth, but sometimes, the earwax is unable to move out naturally. In these cases, there are over the counter treatments available or the person with wax accumulation may need to see an audiologist or an ENT physician for earwax removal. In some cases, an excess build up may cause hearing loss, tinnitus, pain, ear drainage and in these cases, the person should see a hearing health professional
Earwax Buildup Symptoms
Some symptoms of earwax buildup are the following: muffled sounds, feeling of ear fullness, ear pain or ear ache (otalgia), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dizziness, cough, itchiness in ear or ear canal, ear odor, ear drainage, and/or hearing loss.
An excess amount of earwax (cerumen) can cause a temporary hearing loss since the ear canals are blocked or occluded. A person would notice muffled hearing or asking for repetition.
A buildup of earwax can cause the ear to feel full. Otoscopy will help confirm this. In these cases, once the excessive wax is removed, the feeling of fullness is gone. Tinnitus can be caused by excess earwax by the excess pressure in the ear canal. In most cases, once the ear canal is free and clear of cerumen (earwax), the tinnitus should go away. If it does not, it is recommended to consult with an audiologist.
Dizziness can be caused by excessive earwax. Impacted earwax can cause a dizzy or spinning sensation as the earwax is pushed up against the eardrum affecting the auditory and vestibular system. Dizziness can lead to falls or accidents. People who spend a lot of time in the water (swimmers, surfers) are known to have earwax buildup issues which can affect their vestibular system while swimming or balancing on a surfboard.
What does it mean when earwax becomes impacted?
If earwax becomes impacted, the earwax has built up in the ear canal to a point where it can no longer exit the ear canal naturally. f an audiologist or physician were to look in the ear using an otoscope, the provider would not be able to see the eardrum (tympanic membrane) because the earwax is occluding the ear canal.
Earwax comes out of the ear naturally with jaw movements, or with new skin growth, but sometimes, the earwax is unable to move out naturally. In these cases, there are over the counter treatments available or the person with wax accumulation may need to see an audiologist or an ENT physician for earwax removal.
Impaction can cause pain, itchiness, tinnitus, temporary hearing loss, ear ache, and/or ear fullness.
How is earwax buildup and blockage diagnosed?
Earwax buildup and/or blockage is diagnosed using otoscopy. The audiologist or physician would use an otoscope to view the health of the ear and ear canal. A blockage would impede the viewing of the ear canal and other ear anatomy. Sometimes, a person may know at home because he/she is noticing some symptoms such as muffled sounds, feeling of ear fullness, ear pain (otalgia), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dizziness, itchiness in ear or ear canal, ear odor, ear drainage, and/or hearing loss. If a blockage is diagnosed, there are multiple treatments for earwax buildup. Some of these treatments can be completed at home, however, some are performed by an audiologist or ENT physician.
What are possible complications of earwax buildup and blockage?
Some complications of earwax buildup or blockage are the following: otitis externa (outer ear infection), hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), ear odor, and/or ear drainage.
An excess amount of earwax (cerumen) can cause a temporary hearing loss since the ear canals are blocked or occluded. A person would notice muffled hearing or asking for repetition.
A buildup of earwax can cause the ear to feel full. Otoscopy will help confirm this. In these cases, once the excessive wax is removed, the feeling of fullness is gone.
Tinnitus can be caused by excess earwax by the excess pressure in the ear canal. In most cases, once the ear canal is free and clear of cerumen (earwax), the tinnitus should go away. If it does not, it is recommended to consult with an audiologist.
The vagal nerve runs through the ear canal. The vagal nerve is responsible for coughing and gagging amongst other bodily functions. Excessive earwax can activate the vagus nerve and/or when the earwax is removed, the instrumentation can cause the vagus nerve to trigger.
How is earwax buildup and blockage treated?
Earwax can be removed in a few different ways. There are over the counter (OTC) treatments for home use such as earwax softening solutions. The person would place a few drops of an OTC solution into his or her ear canal and lie on the opposite ear so that the solution can enter the ear canal and touch the impacted earwax. Then, a paper towel or washcloth is placed over the affected ear and the person will empty their ear canal of the solution.
Another way earwax can be removed is with irrigation using a small syringe or bulb with water to rinse out the ear canal gently. This technique should be carefully monitored as the temperature of the water and the depth of the syringe may cause further problems.
An audiologist or physician can also remove earwax in the office using an instrument such as a curette or forceps. The provider could also use irrigation or suction in the office.
How can I prevent earwax buildup and blockage?
We have all heard the old wive’s tale about not putting something smaller than your elbow into your ear. This is completely true. Cotton swabs are not meant to go into the ear canal, instead they can be used on the pinna and the bowl of the ear canal.
When in the shower, the water can enter the ear canal and help to keep the wax soft and it can help the earwax move out of the ear as well.
Over the counter products or hydrogen peroxide can be used regularly to keep the wax soft as well.
It may not be entirely preventable, if this seems to be a chronic problem, it may be best to proactively schedule earwax cleaning appointments with your audiologist or physician.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
If you are noticing issues such as muffled sounds, feeling of ear fullness, ear pain (otalgia), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dizziness, itchiness in ear or ear canal, ear odor, ear drainage, and/or hearing loss; it may be best to call your healthcare provider to ask for otoscopy and possible earwax cleaning.
Earwax buildup and/or blockage is diagnosed using otoscopy. The audiologist or physician would use an otoscope to view the health of the ear and ear canal. A blockage would impede the viewing of the ear canal and other ear anatomy. Sometimes, a person may know at home because he/she is noticing some symptoms such as muffled sounds, feeling of ear fullness, ear pain (otalgia), tinnitus (ringing in the ear), dizziness, itchiness in ear or ear canal, ear odor, ear drainage, and/or hearing loss. If a blockage is diagnosed, there are multiple treatments for earwax buildup. Some of these treatments can be completed at home, however, some are performed by an audiologist or ENT physician.
