Ear wax---also known as cerumen---is formed in the base of the outer ear canal.
It's the self-cleaning system for the ear and serves to protect your ear drum from dirt, bacteria and even insects. Sometimes too much ear wax forms and a blockage can impact your hearing.
How
Glands in the outer ear skin create the ear wax---from dead skin cells, sweat and oil---to coat the walls of the ear canal, where it protects and moisturizes the canal skin. More important, chemicals within it protect the ear canal and ear drum from infections and the sticky texture traps dirt and other foreign objects from getting to the ear drum.
After forming, ear wax begins a journey to exit through your ear canal opening, aided by jaw motions like chewing.
Then it dries, flakes and sheds---primarily on your bed pillow or while washing your hair---or may be removed through daily washing with a wash cloth and soap.
Different people produce different amounts of ear wax. Levels also vary by narrowness of your ear canal, your anxiety level, skin conditions, how much fat you consume and age Ear wax production increases as you grow older.
Occasionally too much ear wax forms.
Symptoms of Overproduction
A partial hearing loss that gets progressively worse is one sign that your ear canal may need some outside help. Ringing in the ears, discharge, itching and/or odor are others. A physical feeling that the ear is plugged or filled with something and earaches are other symptoms, as is unexplained coughing.
Hearing Aids are Vulnerable
DeafnessResearch.org in the United Kingdom attributes 80 percent of the need for repairs to hearing aids to their users' overproduction of earwax. Entry of earwax into a hearing aid can cause damage and too much earwax between the eardrum and the hearing aid can reduce hearing levels and/or produce high-pitched whistle noises.
Ear Wax Removal
Commercial ear wax removal oils are on the market, but olive oil and baby oil are just as effective.
Use an eyedropper to put a few drops of oil in the ear, wait a few minutes then lie with your head down, with the treated ear flat on a towel to absorb the oil that drips out. This treatment once a week is sufficient.
Some ear wax build-ups require professional care. See your healthcare provider, who can employ an irrigation pump or use another tool to remove excess wax. Irrigation may not be possible if you have a perforated ear drum, recently experienced infection or pain in your middle ear, have had ear surgery or if you've experienced problems previously with ear canal irrigation.
Continued excessive production of earwax may require regular medical treatment.
Warning!
Follow the adage, "Never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear." Sharp objects and even soft cotton swabs can scratch your ear canal skin and/or puncture your ear drum. The first result is uncomfortable and, if bacteria are introduced, causes infection. The second can steal your hearing.
