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Earwax blockage

Earwax blockage



Overview

Earwax blockage occurs when earwax (cerumen) builds up in your ear or becomes too hard to wash away naturally.

Earwax is a helpful and natural part of your body's defenses. It cleans, coats and protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria.

If earwax blockage becomes a problem, your health care provider can take simple steps to remove the wax safely.

Who is most likely to develop impacted earwax?

Earwax blockage can happen to anyone. About 10% of children and 5% of adults have it.

Impacted cerumen is more likely to occur in people who:

Use hearing aids, earplugs or earbuds.

Have a lot of ear hair.

Have certain skin conditions like eczema.

Put cotton swabs or other items into their ears.

Are over the age of 55.

Have developmental disabilities.

Have misshapen ear canals that interfere with natural wax removal.

Symptoms

Impacted earwax symptoms may include:

A feeling of fullness in your ear.

Pain in your ear (earache).

Hearing loss, which may worsen over time.

Ringing in your ears (tinnitus).

Itchiness in your ears.

Discharge or odor coming from your ears.

Dizziness.

Causes

The wax in your ears is made by glands in the skin of your outer ear canal. The wax and tiny hairs in these passages trap dust and other materials that could damage deeper parts of your ear, such as your eardrum.

In most people, a small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the ear opening. At the opening, it's washed away or falls out as new wax replaces it. If your ears make too much wax or if earwax isn't cleared well enough, it may build up and block your ear canal.

Earwax blockages often happen when people try to get earwax out on their own by using cotton swabs or other items in their ears. This usually just pushes wax deeper into the ear, rather than removing it.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider can see if you have earwax blockage by looking in your ear. Your provider uses a special tool that lights and magnifies your inner ear (otoscope) to look in your ear.

Diagnosis

Your health care provider can see if you have earwax blockage by looking in your ear. Your provider uses a special tool that lights and magnifies your inner ear (otoscope) to look in your ear.

Treatment

Your health care provider can remove excess wax by using a small, curved tool called a curet or by using suction techniques. Your provider can also flush out the wax using a syringe filled with warm water and saline or diluted hydrogen peroxide. Medicated ear drops may also be recommended to help soften the wax, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox Earwax Removal Kit, Murine Ear Wax Removal System). Because these drops can irritate the delicate skin of the eardrum and ear canal, use them only as directed.

If earwax buildup continues, you may need to visit your health care provider once or twice a year for regular cleaning. Your health care provider may also recommend that you use earwax-softening agents such as saline, mineral oil or olive oil. This helps loosen the wax so that it can leave the ear more easily.

Type of Doctor Department : Otolaryngologist



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