Earwax, also called, cerumen, is actually a good thing most of the time. Without it your ears would be dry and itchy. Cerumen is a self-cleaning agent for the ear that has antibacterial and protective qualities. Most of the time your ears will become clean without any help. When you chew it helps to transport earwax to your ear's opening where it will dry up before flaking off, according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. There are times, however, when your ears do need to be cleaned. In most cases, this can be done at home.
Significance
Each year, 12 million people need medical treatment due to impacted earwax, according to National Public Radio.
Mild Symptoms
When enough earwax accumulates it can cause several symptoms. Mild symptoms include discharge, odor, itching, a sensation of a plugged ear, fullness in the ear and coughing.
More Serious Symptoms
Symptoms of more concern due to earwax build up can include an earache, partial hearing loss, and noises or tinnitus in your ear.
Infections
Middle ear infections, or otitis media, are the most common hearing loss cause among children. If left untreated by a doctor, otitis media can cause the mastoid bone behind the ear to become infected, and result in an ear drum rupture and hearing loss. The outer ear can become infected as well. This is commonly called "swimmer's ear." It occurs when water gets trapped a person's ear canal and leads to a collection of trapped bacteria. Also called otitis externa, this condition can actually cause the ear to swell shut and cause temporary hearing loss.
When to See a Doctor
When earwax blocks the ear canal and impacts hearing a doctor may need to vacuum the wax out.
Anyone who possibly has a perforation or puncture in the ear should seek a doctor's care because, in these cases, home remedies can result in infection or pain, according to the AAO.
No Swabs
When the ear needs cleaning it's best not to use a cotton-tipped applicators to probe the ears, recommends the AAO. A top cause of hearing loss is wax blockage, which can be caused by attempts to use a swab to clean the ear. That's because this actually pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal in most cases. Instead of using a swab, wash your external ear with a cloth. Also avoid oral jet irrigators like a Waterpik and ear candling, advises NPR.
Softening
The AAO recommends using a treatment to soften wax. This is done by placing a couple of drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin, or commercial drops into the ear. Detergent drops including carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide can also be used. People also can use a store-bought ear syringe to clean the ear. These usually have saline and water, and need to be warmed to body temperature. Otherwise use can make a person dizzy. These work best following a softening treatment. Also, anyone who is diabetic, who has a weak immune system or a tube in the ear should visit a doctor to have earwax removed instead of doing so at home.
