Earwax, or cerumen, is a yellowish waxy secretion produced by glands in the outer portion of the ear canal, according to the Nemours Foundation. Although earwax may seem unpleasant, your body continues to produce it because it serves a number of important functions. On the other hand, you may need to seek medical advice if you think your ears have too much wax in them.
Function
Earwax is a protector for the ear. It lubricates the ear canal to prevent itchiness and dryness, contains antibacterial properties that fight off infections, and it shields the eardrum from potentially damaging particles, according to the Nemours Foundation. Dirt and other particles that enter the ear won't be able to travel far because they become trapped in earwax.
Where It Goes
Earwax typically migrates from the ear canal out toward the ear opening. Chewing and any other jaw motion aid old earwax in its outward movement, and once earwax reaches the opening, it typically becomes dry and flaky so that it falls out with ease, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology --- Head and Neck Surgery.
Signs of Blockage
If more earwax is produced than can travel out in an orderly fashion, earwax can block the ear canal. Symptoms of an earwax blockage can include a sensation of fullness in the ear, earache, ringing or other noises in the ear, and reduced hearing in the ear, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other symptoms may include itching, discharge, odor and coughing, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology --- Head and Neck Surgery. Symptoms of earwax blockage, such as earaches and reduced hearing ability, can also point to other problems such as ear infections, so the Mayo Clinic recommends seeing your doctor for a formal diagnosis.
Evaluation and Treatment
Earwax removal is most safely performed by your doctor because your ear canal and eardrum can be easily damaged, says the Mayo Clinic. Taking measures into your own hands can be especially dangerous if your eardrum has a hole or if you've had any ear surgery in the past, says the Mayo Clinic. Your doctor may vacuum out the earwax, wash it out or remove it using a viewing device and a small scooping tool called a curette. If he believes your ears can safely be flushed at home, he may also prescribe wax softening ear drops or suggest an at-home or over-the-counter wax softening formula so that you can safely flush your ears in the future.
Cleaning the Ear
Regular cleaning for your ears should only involve rubbing a wet washcloth around the external areas. Never use a thin tool such as a cotton swab or hair pin to get earwax out of your ear; it may cause injury to your inner ear or eardrum. Digging with a thin tool can also push earwax farther into the ear and cause blockages, says the American Academy of Otolaryngology --- Head and Neck Surgery. If your doctor instructs you to flush your ears, the process of flushing typically involves three steps: holding an eyedropper externally to place the softening solution in your ear twice daily for four or five days; holding externally a rubber-bulb syringe to squirt water into the canal; then tipping your head to the side to let the water and wax drain into the sink. Remember to use caution and follow your doctor's instructions, and never place any tool inside the ear canal.
