Earwax Blockage - Everything You Should Know

Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is a waxy oil that is produced by earwax glands. This is to protect the inner parts of the ears, from the microorganisms, dust, and foreign objects. After the secretion, this oil gets hardened and finds its way out of the ears naturally.

What Causes Earwax Buildup?

Earwax buildup occurs when there is excessive secretion of cerumen than what’s necessary and also when the hardened oil fails to find its way out. Both the cases can lead to earwax buildup, ear block, and temporary hearing loss, eventually. Sometimes people who are cleaning might accidentally push the wax further deep causing the blockage.

Signs and Symptoms of Earwax Blockages

Buzzing or ringing sound in the ear is a common sign of earwax blockage. You might lose hearing ability temporarily based on the percentage of the block.

Becoming aware of the inner voice when you talk, a sense of fullness in the ear, and sometimes earache are the other signs of it.

Earwax Buildup in Children

Earaches are associated with infants and children more than the adults. In children, you can find earwax buildup by checking for the darker brown substance inside the ear walls. Using ear swabs, however sensitive they are, can damage ear canal linings, and eardrums in extreme cases.  Consulting an ENT specialist and seeking assistance is a sensible thing to do.

Earwax and the Infection -

Earwax blockage will become an infection only when the buildup stays inside the ear walls for too long. Ear infections can cause excruciating pain and such an ear infection in children can become a nightmare to live for both the child and to the parents.

This pain could not be subsidised, and a discharge from the ear also could be observed in the case of infections caused by earwax buildup. Other symptoms include fever, coughing, and giddiness.

Treatment for Earwax Blockage and Infection -

Followed by the initial diagnosis at the ENT hospital, the ear specialist uses an otoscope that helps them to see the inner ear.

Certain oils or hydrogen peroxide to soften the earwax block. Then the ear doctor may use irrigation, a technique where water is sent like a stream, inside the ear to clean the block. Curette, a curved instrument, is also used to clean earwax blockage.

Earwax removal is a simple process. Once the block is cleared, it is important to follow the after-care instructions by your doctor. Ear irrigation kits are also available as the over-the-counter kits. You can practice as instructed by your ENT specialist.

Softening and irrigation techniques should work. However, sometimes the softeners could only melt the outer layer of the wax and force removing might cause damage. If your condition is not improving, consult your doctor.

How to Avoid Earwax Blockages

Generally self-care and hygiene are the remedies for earwax blockages. But it is essential to see your ENT specialist periodically to maintain ear hygiene. It becomes imperative if your ear glands produce more cerumen.

It is common to see people using ear swabs to remove the earwax buildup. Using a soft and sensitive ear swab once or twice a week might help you keep your ears clean but in order to remove a blockage, you should reach out to an ENT clinic.

If you feel there is a block inside your ear and you could not hear properly, do not try to insert any swab, paper rolls or any other item. They will only cause more damage.

Even though earache, ear discharge, and the sense of fullness are the symptoms of earwax blockage, there are other conditions that show the similar symptoms.

The Takeaways -

Earwax buildup is a common issue in people who secrete more cerumen. This can happen in both children and adults. If you know how to use the irrigation method, try it periodically based on your doctor’s recommendation. In children, consult your ENT doctor to get the wax removed.

Earwax is useful for your ears. It keeps them clean, and protects in many ways. Once the work is done, the wax gets washed away by the body. And, all this happens naturally. Follow your doctor’s recommendation to keep your ears clean.