Earwax is a substance naturally produced by the body to protect the ears. Contrary to what you were likely taught as a child, it is best left alone. Ears are self-cleaning organs: under normal circumstances, they do not need to be cleaned.
That said, it sometimes happens that earwax accumulates and causes various hearing problems: tinnitus, ear pain, or even hearing loss in some cases.
Discover the possible causes of earwax impaction as well as ways to prevent and treat it.
What is earwax and what is it for?
Earwax is a yellow, sticky substance that helps protect the ears. When you think about it, the ear canal is nothing more than a small opening on the side of the head that leads to the delicate membrane of the eardrum.
Without earwax, injuries and infections of the inner parts of the ear would likely be much more frequent. Here is an overview of the properties of earwax that benefit the ear.
Sticky
Without earwax in the ear, every trip to the beach or time spent underwater would send particles to the bottom of your ear canal, where they would get stuck. This is the primary function of earwax: to trap foreign bodies before they reach the deeper parts of the ear.
These particles include dirt, dust, and dead skin cells. By lining the outer ear canal, earwax acts as a sticky trap for your ears (much like flypaper).
Self-cleaning
The second function of earwax is to promote the expulsion of these particles from the ear. It achieves this through the ear's continuous production of wax. Freshly produced earwax constantly and slowly pushes the old wax outward. Even the simple act of moving your jaw and chewing contributes to this process.
Antimicrobial
The final function of earwax lies in its natural antimicrobial properties. Ear canals are a tempting habitat for many bacteria: they are sheltered, dark, warm, and humid. Earwax, thanks to its antimicrobial properties, makes the area much less welcoming.
Causes of earwax impaction
Under normal circumstances, earwax is expelled on its own, but it sometimes gets stuck in the canal and accumulates in the affected ear. Occasional buildup is nothing to worry about.
Ears are quite good at expelling it themselves, but a significant accumulation, known as an earwax plug, can occur. (Earwax refers to the secretions produced by the glands in the ear.)
An earwax plug corresponds to an accumulation of wax that hardens and can completely obstruct the ear canal. Several factors can cause this; here are a few.
Understanding what increases the risk of earwax impaction allows you to adapt your habits to limit the risks of significant buildup.
Cotton swabs
Many people use cotton swabs to clean their ears. Even if you grew up using them after showering, specialists strongly advise against their use for ear cleaning.
The main reason is that they increase the risk of eardrum injury. In fact, audiologists, otologists, and doctors recommend avoiding any cleaning instrument that enters the ear canal.
It may seem paradoxical, but cotton swabs can actually promote the formation of a plug. When you insert a cotton swab into your ear, you have no visibility on what is happening.
It is therefore quite possible to push the earwax deeper instead of removing it. Over time, this repeated use leads to accumulation and then a full-blown plug.
Best practice guidelines also advise against ear candles for manually removing excess earwax.
Frequent use of earphones
Earphones are a great way to listen to your favorite songs, a podcast, or a show. Wireless models have exploded in popularity in recent years, and many people spend hours at a time listening to audio with them.
While earphones are very convenient, they can contribute to the formation of an earwax plug. The main reason: they obstruct the entrance to the ear canal. Since earwax is constantly and slowly migrating outward, by plugging the canal with earbuds, you are literally putting a stopper in your ears. Hence the accumulation.
This is why you sometimes notice earwax residue on your earphone tips after wearing them for a while. Even over-ear headphones increase the risk of excess earwax because they retain moisture around the ear.
This doesn't mean you have to give up your earphones. Just remember to take a break from time to time to let your ears breathe. For example, if you wear headphones at work, give yourself a ten to twenty-minute break after an hour of use. Earplugs can actually cause the exact same problems.
A narrow ear canal
Another possible cause of an earwax plug is a naturally narrow ear canal. No two people are identical, and there are many anatomical variations. The size of the ear canal is one of them.
The ear canal is the structure that carries sound to the eardrum. Your morphology and genetics largely determine its size. If it is narrower than average, the risk of accumulation and blockage increases.
Indeed, the less space there is in the canal, the less earwax is needed to fill it and cause an obstruction. Think of pipes: it is much easier to clog a small-diameter pipe than a wide one.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin condition that makes the skin dry, irritated, flaky, and prone to itching. While not a classic symptom of the disease, eczema can promote the formation of earwax plugs.
Specifically, if an eczema flare-up occurs around the ears, the additional inflammation and dryness increase the risk of earwax accumulation. Since one of the functions of earwax is to remove dead skin from the ear.
With eczema, the increased dryness boosts the amount of skin to be eliminated. And dried-out flakes make the earwax denser. Eventually, the amount of skin mixed with the earwax becomes such that the mass can no longer be expelled on its own.
Treatments for earwax impaction
An earwax plug can cause various symptoms, such as tinnitus or hearing loss. Fortunately, most of these disappear when the plug is properly removed. Removing earwax may seem simple, but some methods are more effective and safer than others.
Here are the best methods for treating an earwax plug.
Oil
A method that may seem unusual: using oil to get rid of a plug. The oil works by softening the plug. Simply put a few drops of oil in your ear each day for a few weeks to soften it. The earwax then becomes malleable enough to be expelled naturally.
You can use paraffin oil or baby oil, for example.
Oil is not the fastest method for treating an earwax plug, but it is one of the safest. For a more immediate result, it can be used as a preliminary treatment to facilitate earwax extraction.
Ear irrigation
Another common method: ear irrigation, which involves rinsing the ears with water. Warmed saline solution is usually placed in an irrigation bulb. The solution is then gently sprayed into the ear, which can dislodge the plug.
Ear cleaning solutions
Ear cleaning solutions are another option. They generally contain some form of peroxide that foams upon contact with earwax: hydrogen peroxide, glycerin, or products like Debrox. The effervescence breaks up the plug and helps the earwax dissolve into the solution.
Usually, you lie on your side, let the solution work for a moment, and then tilt your head to the other side to let the solution and dissolved earwax drain out.
Earwax impaction under the microscope
An earwax plug corresponds to an accumulation of earwax that obstructs the ear canal. It can be the cause of conductive hearing loss or tinnitus.
These symptoms are concerning, but there are treatments, such as ear irrigation, capable of reversing hearing loss by removing the obstruction.
Sources
Human antimicrobial proteins in ear wax | NCBI
Ear Eczema | National Eczema Society
Earwax: Blockage Symptoms, How to Remove & Clean | Cleveland Clinic
The ear canal: Anatomy, diagram, and common conditions | Medical News Today
