What is ear wax?
Ear wax is not a sign of poor hygiene. It is a completely natural substance that is produced by all of us from glands in our ear canals. It helps to lubricate and protect the ear canal.
A small amount of wax is normal and maintains the health of the ear canal but in some cases, the ear wax can build up and form a blockage or plug.
Causes of impacted ear wax
Some people produce more wax than their ears can get rid of naturally. Causes of ear wax include:
- Wearing hearing aids, ear plugs or ear bud headphones.
- Having narrow or hairy ear canals.
- Age – very dry and hard wax is common as we age.
- Exposure to moisture. Wax can absorb water and expand.
Commonly it is when people try to clean their ears, using things like cotton buds, a finger, or other objects, that earwax can is actually pushed further into the ear – where it can build up and become impacted.
Symptoms of blocked ears
An ear blockage can be caused by a number of things. It can cause discomfort and make it difficult to hear. Any of the following symptoms of ear wax may be experienced:
- Earache
- Infection
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Muffled hearing
- Ringing or buzzing sounds in the ear (tinnitus)
- Itchiness in the ear
- Dizziness or vertigo
- A tickly cough
- If you wear hearing aids you may experience whistling (feedback) from your aids
Once the earwax is removed, these symptoms usually improve.
Ear wax removal
If a build-up of ear wax, debris or a foreign body is blocking your ear causing hearing loss, tinnitus, discomfort or dizziness we would normally recommend having it removed.
