You most likely don’t give a lot of thought to earwax buildup unless you’re in the process of clearing it out. Nonetheless, comprehending what causes earwax, how it develops, and its purpose is crucial.
So why does earwax accumulate?
Earwax, also technically called cerumen, is made up of a combination 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.
In most circumstances, kids tend to produce more earwax than adults. Furthermore, adult earwax tends to be darker and harder compared to that of children.
Earwax passes the outer ear canal leisurely, eventually reaching the ear opening, where it either self-expels or gets washed out when you bathe.
Why do we need earwax?
Earwax serves several essential functions, such as:
- Acting as a protective barricade against outside irritants like dirt, dust, and other foreign particles before they penetrate deeper into the ear.
- Fending off potential infections that may occur within the ear canal.
- Preventing itchiness and dryness by lubricating and protecting the lining of the ear canal.
Obstructions caused by earwax
Usually, there’s no crucial need to remove earwax from your ears unless it becomes impacted, a prevalent problem linked to earwax. Sometimes, earwax is unable to easily get to the opening of the ear as a result of narrow or unusually shaped ear canals.
Wax can be accidentally crammed up into the ear canal by utilizing improper cleaning practices like using cotton swabs.
Earwax blockages are frequently experienced by individuals who frequently use earplugs, earbuds, or hearing aids.
How excessive earwax can affect hearing
The presence of earwax blockages might yield mild discomfort and dampen auditory health.
Also, significant accumulations of earwax can trigger tinnitus, a sensation of ringing in the ears.
Acoustic trauma may lead to long-term hearing impairment, perforated eardrums, and long-term hearing loss if earwax blockages go neglected.
Dealing with impacted earwax
Should you think you have an earwax blockage, consulting us quickly is imperative. You may be advised to utilize over-the-counter products such as a bulb syringe or earwax softening drops to clear the wax out, depending on the extent of the blockage.
If you’re worried about your earwax buildup, call us right away to schedule an appointment.