Earwax Blockage

Our ears naturally produce earwax (also called cerumen) as part of the human body’s defense against dirt and bacteria. Earwax traps dust and dirt and expels water in the ear canal to protect the delicate eardrum from infection or damage. Accumulated earwax is gently pushed out by the ear canal lining, then dries and falls or is cleaned out of the ears.

Some people, however, produce an excessive amount of earwax that hardens and blocks the ear canal. This condition causes earache and temporary hearing loss.

What causes earwax blockage?

Excessive production of earwax leads to earwax blockage. It is not known, however, why earwax accumulates more for some people and why earwax blockage usually occurs in only one ear. Earwax blockage is often caused by improper ear cleaning. If the ear isn’t cleaned regularly, the wax buildup can harden and block the ear canal. Forceful or excessive use of cotton swabs or poking the ears with objects such as pencils, sticks, hairpins, paper clips or even the finger may push the wax deeper into the ear and against eardrum. There, the earwax can build up and harden, causing pain and temporary hearing loss.

What are the symptoms of earwax blockage?

The common symptoms of earwax blockage are:

• A feeling of fullness or stuffiness in the ear
• Pain in the ear
• Diminished hearing
• A ringing noise in the ear

Any indication of a possible earwax blockage should be brought to the attention of a doctor or other health professional. It is best not to attempt to remove the earwax on your own, since further poking into the ears can lead to eardrum perforation or irritation of the ear canal. A doctor also will be able to confirm whether there is indeed earwax blockage. The symptoms of earwax blockage may indicate another medical condition.

How is earwax blockage diagnosed?

A doctor checking for earwax blockage will examine the patient’s ears, particularly the ear canal and eardrum, using an otoscope, a medical instrument fitted with a light and a magnifying lens.

How is earwax blockage treated?

Once earwax blockage is established, the doctor will remove the wax build-up using a curette, a scoop-shaped surgical instrument designed for removing body tissue or matter. If the wax build-up has become very compact and hard to remove with a curette, the doctor may opt to soften and flush out the wax by using a water pick or a rubber-bulb syringe that has been filled with warm water.

Earwax removal medication or eardrops may also be prescribed for recurring build-up. Such medication is recommended for use only every month or two since it can irritate the ear if used more often.

Can earwax blockage be prevented?

Yes, earwax blockage can be prevented by cleaning the ears properly (cotton swabs should be used only on the outer ear) and regularly and not putting inappropriate objects into the ear canal.