Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesSymptomsRemovalPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Symptoms
Removal
Prevention
When earwax is impacted, it can cause itchiness, coughing, dizziness, ringing in the ear, and a significant loss of hearing. You may be able to remove the earwax at home, but you may be better served to see a healthcare provider if there is any discomfort or hearing loss.
Learn why you may suddenly have so much earwax, ways you can safely remove it, and when it is time to see a healthcare provider.
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Function and Types of Earwax
Ear wax protects theouter ear canalfrom dirt, insects, bacteria, and other harmful agents. It also repels water and keeps the ear canal moist and free from dryness and cracking.
Earwax also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Studies show that a healthy amount of earwax may decrease your risk for ear infections likeotitis externa.
What Causes Excessive Earwax?
Typically the body removes earwax through the action of chewing or talking. Jaw movement causes the earwax to move from yourinner eartowards your outer ear.
However, certain conditions can cause the excess production of earwax and/or the impaction of earwax in the ears. Chief among them is the type of earwax you have.
These include:
Dry earwax can be problematic as it is less able to cling to the walls of the ear canal. Instead, it may start to clump as sebum glues it together with dead skin and debris.
Other causes and risk factors for earwax overproduction and impaction include:
Some people produce more earwax than others for no apparent reason, referred to as idiopathic cerumen overproduction. In cases like these, earwax buildup tends to be recurrent.
Excess Earwax Symptoms
Earwax blockagecan cause the following symptoms:
Removing Excess Earwax
About 12 million people get treated for excess earwax every year in the United States.
There are several ways toremove earwax at home, including over-the-counter ear drops containing mineral oil, glycerin,hydrogen peroxide, and saline (salt) solution.
Rinsing of the ear canal can be done with a rubber bulb syringe purchased at most drug stores. Use only lukewarm water. If cold water or water that is too warm is used, it can cause vertigo (a sensation that the world is spinning around you).
However, if you have pain or significant hearing loss, you should contact a healthcare provider. Similarly, if your child has excess earwax, see a pediatrician rather than trying to remove it yourself.
If left untreated, excessive earwax can cause impaction symptoms to worsen. These include hearing loss, ear pain, dizziness, and tinnitus.A buildup of earwax can also make it difficult to see inside it ear during a physical examination, which can lead to the misdiagnosis of a middle ear problem
What Not to Do
You should never try to remove earwax with the following methods:
The Danger of Q-Tips
Risks of Earwax Removal
Removal of earwax is relatively safe if performed with a healthcare provider. However, rare complications may occur, including:
Preventing Earwax Buildup
The following measures may help prevent the buildup of earwax. However, you should speak with your healthcare provider before trying them, especially if you have a history of ear problems:
Summary
Symptoms of excess earwax may include a cough, hearing loss, ear pain, itchiness, or tinnitus. To treat earwax impaction, it’s best to see a healthcare provider. They may use ear irrigation, cerumenolytic ear drops, or manual extraction tools to remove the earwax safely.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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