Impacted Earwax

We all have earwax that forms naturally inside our ear canals from modified sweat glands. And while the yellowish-orange, sticky substance isn’t always the most pleasant sight, earwax serves a very important role in the function of our ears, as it helps keep them clean and protects them from foreign objects.

However, earwax can become a medical problem when too much builds up in the ear canal. Earwax blockages can lead to a host of hearing and vestibular (balance) issues, including hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and dizziness. Sometimes the earwax impaction will need to be removed by your doctor.

The nationally ranked ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, treat all sorts of hearing and balance issues, ranging from more common problems like earwax impaction to more serious issues like acoustic tumors and chronic vertigo. If you need help with earwax removal, you’ll be in good hands with our ENT experts.

What is impacted earwax?

Impacted earwax, also called cerumen impaction, means you have too much earwax built up in the ear canal and it’s causing a blockage. The hardened earwax will need to be softened by special eardrops or removed by a health care provider.

The earwax blockage usually is more of a nuisance than a serious condition; however, it’s important to consult your doctor about it so you don’t further damage your ear trying to remove it yourself.

Impacted earwax symptoms

Having some earwax in your ears is normal. Its presence benefits your ears since it helps clean and protect them. However, if it starts to build up too much and block the ear canal from the eardrum, then symptoms can appear. Those symptoms include:

• Hearing loss or muffled hearing
• Pain in the ear
• Ear pressure or a feeling of fullness in the ear
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ear)
• Vertigo or dizziness
• Coughing
• Drainage or odor coming from the ear

What causes earwax buildup?

Since our ears self-clean themselves, most of the time there’s no need for earwax removal. Impacted earwax happens when your body produces earwax faster than it removes it. Anyone can need help with earwax removal, but some people are more prone to this ear condition simply because they produce more earwax than the average person.

Sometimes other health conditions can cause earwax to build up. These conditions include:

• A bony blockage, such as an osteoma
• An ear infection
• An injury to the ear
• Autoimmune disorders
• Eczema (a skin condition)

Repeatedly putting an object in your ear, such as a cotton swab, can also push the earwax farther back into the ear canal, making it difficult to remove and leading to unwanted buildup.

Who is at risk for impacted earwax?

While anyone can experience impacted earwax, some people are more at risk for the problem than others. Risk factors for earwax buildup include:

• People who regularly use cotton swabs (like Q-tips).
• People who frequently wear earplugs or hearing aids.
• People with a lot of hair.
• People with structural issues, such as narrow ear canals.

How to remove impacted earwax

Symptoms typically start slowly, but the more the earwax builds up, the stronger the symptoms will be. Once symptoms become more apparent, the earwax is usually more impacted — almost creating a hard plug — and over-the-counter methods are less effective. However, some at-home methods for hardened earwax removal include:

• Ear-cleaning drops – Make sure you buy drops with hydrogen peroxide in them and lie down flat for at least five minutes after administering them. These can be an effective method for softening a small amount of wax, but for larger amounts or very impacted wax, they might not work.

Other at-home methods, such as ear candling or earwax vacuums, aren’t recommended. It’s important to consult your doctor before trying any at-home treatments for earwax removal.

If the earwax buildup is too large or hard, it might require your doctor to remove it. Ways your ENT can do this include using a bulb syringe to irrigate it or different instruments to manually remove it.

How to prevent impacted earwax

Impacted earwax isn’t always preventable, especially if you have a condition that predisposes you to the issue. However, there are steps you can take to lessen your chances of needing earwax removal. Prevention measures include:

• Avoid using cotton swabs in the ear or putting any foreign object in your ears.
• Schedule regular ear cleanings every six months if you have risk factors.
• Treat conditions that could contribute to producing too much earwax.
• Use a topical ointment that might help prevent buildup.