All About Earwax

Most people don’t think twice about the sticky substance which comes out of your ears. It rarely takes center stage unless you have an excess or a blockage. However, earwax plays an important role in the overall health of your auditory system. Let’s explore this sticky substance.  There are amazing attributes of earwax that may surprise you!

It’s Not Actually Wax

The technical name for earwax is cerumen and it’s not actually wax at all. It gets its name for its sticky, tacky wax-like properties but it’s comprised of dead skin cells mixed with the secretions from two glands near the ear. These glands are the ceruminous and the sebaceous glands. The ceruminous gland is a sweat gland located just outside the ear canal and giving cerumen its name. The sebaceous gland, the other related gland, excretes oil aiding in the lubrication of the skin.  

Our inner ear is constantly shedding and renewing skin cells to remain healthy. As the skin cells fall away, instead of clogging the ear canal, they are absorbed by the secretions from these two glands which we all call earwax.

Earwax Plays an Important Role

Earwax exists for a reason, not just to “gross us out” or force us to clean it up. Cerumen is antimicrobial which aids in the protection of the skin throughout the inner ear. Small cuts do occur in the inner ear and without earwax, they would be susceptible to frequent infections. Earwax is the auditory system’s protection against this. In addition to protecting against infection, earwax also acts as a conveyor belt moving dust and dirt particles out of the ear canal. Throughout the day it’s common for all sorts of tiny particles to find their way into our ear canal, which would otherwise gum up the works and make it difficult to hear. A healthy supply of cerumen ensures that our ears stay clear, clean, and open.   

You Need Just the Right Amount

Too little earwax can leave your ears feeling dry and itchy, susceptible to infection, and unlubricated. However, you can also have a buildup of earwax. When earwax builds up in the ear canal it can cause blockages which can quickly turn into difficulty hearing. Ironically, this often occurs due to improper cleaning of the ears. 

Don’t Stick Anything In Your Ears!

A common saying is don’t stick anything in your ears smaller than your elbow. Do not stick anything in your ears and that includes the very popular and dangerous method of cleaning earwax away with a cotton swab. The auditory canal is a very fragile and sensitive system and inserting anything in there risks damage and earwax impaction. Ultimately this can cause more significant problems than a bit of earwax which is supposed to be there.

Safe Ways to Clean

Just because you can’t use a cotton swab to clean your ears doesn’t mean that there aren’t ways to clean them. Your ears are self-cleaning and should do most of the work on your own. Most safe cleaning methods include allowing the wax to loosen and break down on its own. For instance, a warm and steamy shower is often enough to loosen earwax and allow it to flow outwards. All you need to do is then wipe it away from your outer ear, using a soft washcloth. 

Consult a Professional

If you are experiencing hearing issues and you suspect it could be caused by a buildup of earwax do not hesitate to reach out. If at-home methods don’t work, please leave it up to us. We can diagnose your hearing and find the safest method to ensure your ears enjoy optimal health.