Earwax is a sticky, waxy substance produced by the ears. We often grow up with the idea that it absolutely must be removed, when in reality earwax plays an important role in the health of your ears.
While earwax is beneficial for the body, there are specific situations where it becomes problematic. Earwax buildup, for example, is one instance where this secretion can contribute to hearing loss.
Observing the color of earwax coming out of your ears is a way to learn a little about their condition. Color variations are normal, but many people panic when they discover black earwax.
Here's a detailed examination of black earwax and everything you need to know about earwax in general.
What is earwax for?
The body secretes many substances, and most of them fulfill several functions. Skin sebum is an excellent example: it helps the skin retain moisture and forms a first line of defense against potentially harmful bacteria and fungi.
Mucus also plays many roles: it traps particles in the air you breathe and protects the stomach lining. Faced with these multi-functional secretions, one might wonder what earwax is really for, besides getting your hearing aids dirty.
Here's an overview of the many functions of earwax and why it's so important for the proper functioning of your ears.
Antimicrobial
The first property of earwax is its antimicrobial action. Specifically, it helps limit bacterial infections of the outer ear. Without earwax, the ear canal would be an ideal place for bacterial proliferation, as it is moist, warm, and dark.
Hydrophobic
Another property common to all waxes is being hydrophobic. Hydrophobic literally means "water-repelling," and wax is an excellent waterproofing agent. Some waterproof jackets even use wax for this purpose.
This is a real asset in the ears: it repels water out of the ear canal and prevents it from getting stuck. These hydrophobic properties also insulate the skin of the ear canal and help prevent it from drying out.
Sticky
The stickiness of earwax is not pleasant, but it is precisely what allows it to fulfill one of its major functions in the ear: trapping foreign particles. In this regard, earwax acts like mucus, both retaining particles before they reach deeper areas of the body.
It makes the ear self-cleaning
The last and perhaps most important aspect is that earwax allows the ears to clean themselves. As we've seen, it traps particles, but it's its continuous outward flow that allows the ears to clean themselves.
Old earwax is constantly replaced by new earwax. The old earwax therefore slowly moves outwards. Combined with the slight downward slope of the ear canal, this mechanism allows the ears to clean themselves effectively. It keeps foreign particles such as dust or dead skin out of your ears, which keeps your ear canals clear and ready to transmit sound to your eardrums.
What is black earwax?
Most people are familiar with the usual shade of earwax, ranging from off-white, yellow, to orange. However, other colors can sometimes be observed. Black earwax is the most concerning, but in reality, there's no need to be alarmed.
Here's an overview of the possible causes of black earwax:
Old earwax
The age of the earwax is one of the possible causes of a darker, even black, color. When fresh, earwax is usually free of particles, hence its almost translucent appearance. The longer it stays in the ear, the more particles it accumulates. It then becomes more opaque and can even change color.
Earwax impaction
An impaction forms when earwax accumulates to the point of getting stuck in the ear canal. It can no longer drain and has ample time to trap anything trying to enter the ear: dirt, dust, and even dead skin.
An earwax impaction causes few symptoms. But if it sufficiently obstructs the canal, it can reduce your hearing, cause tinnitus, or even lead to some ear pain.
How is an earwax impaction treated?
Now that you know an impaction can cause black earwax, the next question arises: how to treat it? The first reflex is often to insert something into the ear to remove it, but this risks not only worsening the situation but also damaging your ear.
Here are the most effective and safest methods for removing earwax buildup:
Professional extraction
Professional extraction is the best solution for a significant impaction that impairs hearing or causes discomfort. When the earwax is too hard, too compact, and too dense to drain on its own, extraction is sometimes the only option.
Many viral videos circulate on social media showing earwax extractions. This may seem simple enough to be entrusted to a friend or loved one, but it is absolutely not something to do yourself.
Earwax impaction extraction is considered a medical procedure and requires the expertise of a healthcare professional. They must understand ear anatomy and be qualified to remove the impaction safely.
Olive oil
A long-standing tip is to use olive oil to remove excess earwax. The oil softens hardened earwax, allowing it to naturally exit the ears.
Olive oil doesn't work overnight; it can take several weeks. You simply put a few drops in your ear each day. Over the weeks, the blockage starts to soften and then eventually drains out.
The olive oil trick is an excellent home solution, but it can also accompany an extraction, so that the practitioner has a slightly softer impaction to deal with.
Irrigation
Another method, irrigation, helps remove excess earwax by rinsing the ears with warm water. Ear irrigation is often combined with oil, as the oil softens the earwax beforehand.
Irrigation is usually done with a syringe, using low-pressure water to rinse the ears. This technique is safe when done correctly, but some precautions are necessary.
Use only very low pressure to avoid injury. If home irrigation makes you uncomfortable, you can always consult an ENT for ear cleaning.
What factors promote black earwax?
Black earwax can be completely normal, but certain factors favor its more frequent appearance in some people.
Let's review the main factors likely to promote black earwax.
Age
Age is one of the most common factors in the appearance of black earwax. With age, earwax production and the self-cleaning ability of the ears decrease. Earwax therefore drains less efficiently. It tends to stagnate longer in the ear canal, accumulate particles, and turn black.
Heredity
Heredity can also explain a higher frequency of black earwax. Some people are born with narrower ear canals, which are more prone to accumulations. Others naturally tend to produce more earwax than average, which promotes the formation of impactions.
Black earwax: caution and support
Black earwax can signal an impaction or old earwax, but there's no need to worry. It can result from age, narrow ear canals, or even more abundant earwax production.
There are several remedies for earwax impactions. If a particularly bothersome impaction concerns you, you can always make an appointment with an ENT for treatment.
Sources
Human antimicrobial proteins in ear wax | NCBI
Earwax blockage - Diagnosis and treatment | Mayo Clinic
Impacted Earwax | Cedars-Sinai
