Often misunderstood and overlooked, earwax (or cerumen) plays a crucial role in safeguarding your ears and maintaining their health. This naturally produced substance not only keeps dirt and debris out but also moisturises and guards against infections.
Like anything in the body, balance is important. Too much earwax can lead to discomfort, blockages, or even hearing loss, making professional ear wax removal essential in some cases.
In this blog, we’ll explore how earwax is formed, why your body produces it, and when professional earwax removal might be necessary to maintain optimal ear health.
What Exactly Is Earwax?
Earwax, or cerumen, is a naturally produced substance in the ears, but despite its reputation, it plays a crucial role in maintaining ear health. From protecting your ears to self-cleaning, earwax is more than just a sticky nuisance. But how is earwax formed, and when should you consider professional earwax removal to avoid hearing issues?
The Origins of Earwax: Where Does It Come From?
Sebaceous and Sweat Glands at Work
Earwax forms in the outer ear canal through the combined efforts of sebaceous (oil) glands and ceruminous (sweat) glands. The oil secretions lubricate the ear canal, while sweat mixes in to create a protective substance—earwax—that helps keep foreign particles out.
Dead Skin Cells and Natural Shedding
Earwax also contains dead skin cells, which naturally shed from the ear canal. These cells mix with the secretions, resulting in the waxy texture. Earwax traps dust, dirt, and debris, slowly carrying these particles out of the ear, cleaning it in the process.
Why Do Our Bodies Produce Earwax?
A Natural Cleaner
Earwax acts as a natural cleaning agent. As it slowly moves out of the ear canal, it carries trapped dirt, dust, and debris along with it, preventing blockages deep in the ear.
Protective Barrier Against Infections
The slightly acidic nature of earwax helps create a hostile environment for bacteria and fungi, reducing the risk of infections. Additionally, earwax can even keep tiny insects from entering the ear canal.
Moisturising the Ear Canal
Earwax keeps the skin inside the ear canal from becoming dry or irritated, helping maintain a comfortable ear environment.
Why Do Some People Produce Too Much Earwax?
While earwax is necessary for ear health, some people naturally produce more than others, leading to frequent buildups. Some of these reasons are:
Genetic Factors
Genetics play a significant role in how much earwax your body produces. Some individuals naturally have more active glands in their ear canals, leading to excess earwax. Certain genetic backgrounds are also associated with either wet or dry earwax types, which can affect how it builds up and how easily it exits the ear.
Ear Canal Shape
The structure and size of the ear canal can also influence earwax production. If your ear canal is particularly narrow or curved, it can trap earwax inside, causing blockages even when your glands are producing a normal amount of wax.
Environmental Influences
Exposure to environments with high levels of dust, debris, or other particles can cause your ears to produce more wax as a protective measure. This is common for individuals who work in industrial settings or in areas with a lot of airborne particles.
Aging
As people age, the texture of earwax can become drier and harder, which makes it more likely to accumulate. Additionally, older adults may experience more wax buildup due to slower natural cleaning processes in the ear.
Use of Earbuds or Hearing Aids
Regular use of earbuds, headphones, or hearing aids can block the natural movement of earwax out of the ear, causing it to accumulate. The frequent insertion of these devices can also stimulate the glands to produce more wax.
How Earwax Buildup Can Affect Hearing
In some cases, earwax buildup can impact hearing, especially in children and older adults. If you're concerned about your child’s hearing, at our Auckland clinic we offer child hearing tests to ensure their ears are clear and healthy. We also provide general hearing tests for adults, so you can monitor your hearing health and detect any issues early on.
Hearing Aids and Ear Health
For individuals who require hearing aids, maintaining a clean and healthy ear canal is vital. Excess earwax can interfere with hearing aids, affecting sound quality and comfort. Our team provides expert advice on earwax management to ensure your hearing aids function optimally.
When to Seek Professional Earwax Removal
If you notice ear pain, muffled hearing, or a feeling of fullness in your ear, it could be time to consult our Auckland audiologists at Family Hearing Centre. Also, if you're prone to earwax buildup, you might need more regular care to prevent discomfort or hearing loss.
Our expert Auckland audiology team at Family Hearing Centre can assess your condition and provide safe, effective treatment. For anyone experiencing hearing difficulties, we recommend a combination of professional earwax removal and hearing tests to ensure comprehensive ear care.
Why Professional Earwax Removal is Necessary
While earwax is beneficial, sometimes it can build up to the point where it causes discomfort, blockages, or hearing loss. If you're experiencing any of these issues, professional earwax removal might be necessary.
DIY earwax removal using cotton swabs or other objects can do more harm than good, often pushing wax deeper into the ear canal and causing impaction. Using cotton swabs can even damage the eardrum.
At our audiology clinic, we offer professional earwax removal using the gentle technique of microsuction. This method is safe, quick, and designed to avoid damaging your ear canal.
Final Thoughts
Earwax is essential for your ear health, but when it builds up, professional removal is the safest and most effective option. If you're experiencing symptoms like blocked ears, pain, or hearing loss, don’t hesitate to book a professional earwax removal appointment at our Auckland audiology clinic today. We also offer a range of services to support your ear health, including child hearing tests, general hearing tests, and hearing aids. Take care of your ears with expert care at Family Hearing Centre in Epsom, Auckland.
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