Cerumen impaction is the medical term for earwax buildup in the ear canal. Earwax is designed to protect the ear canal by catching dirt and debris that enter the ear and making it difficult for bacteria to grow. Wax comes from glands within the skin of the ear canal. Along with the tiny hairs that line the ear canal, the wax helps keep debris from getting to the ear drum. Normally, the extra wax falls out of the ear while bathing. For unknown reasons, the wax seems to buildup in some people. The body normally washes away ear wax naturally, but sometimes cannot. Nobody is sure why earwax blockage happens or may be more likely to occur in one ear than the other. Earwax blockages become much worse when people try to remove the earwax on their own with cotton swabs. Using a cotton swab to clear the ear may just push the earwax deeper into the canal.
Decreased hearing, pain in the ear, feeling of fullness in the ear, ringing of the ear
Your doctor will talk to you about your symptoms and do a physical exam focusing on the ear. Cerumen impaction is generally seen very easily with looking into the ear with an otoscope. In certain situations, your doctor may recommend that you see a specialist called an otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) who has more specialized instruments to look into the ear and remove wax or other objects.
Your doctor may try a variety of ways to remove earwax in the office including a bulb filled with warm water to flush out the wax or a curved instrument called a curette to gently scrape out the wax. Your doctor can do this and look into the ear canal to make sure that he or she protects your ear. You should not try to do this at home. If your wax removal is more complicated, your doctor may recommend that you see an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) who has more specialized tools for earwax removal. For people who require multiple removals of wax, several treatment options are available. Your doctor may recommend ear drops like carbamide peroxide which comes under several brand names. These drops should be used to soften wax every four to eight weeks, but should be used sparingly as it can irritate the ear canal. At home, some things can be tried to soften wax including drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide dropped into the ear for four to five days. You can then use warm water to help flush out the wax with very gentle pressure. Place the warm water into the canal, let it sit, then tilt the head to the side and let the water flow out. You can then pat dry the outside of the ear. However, you should make sure that you have seen your doctor so that he or she can make sure that you do not have a hole in your eardrum prior to placing any liquids in your ears. You should never put anything in your ear canal, including cotton swabs because they can push wax deeper and damage the inside of the ear canal. Ear candling is used by some to try and extract earwax. It involves placing a hollow cone into the ear which is then lit on fire. Ear candling is not effective and can be quite dangerous. You should talk to your doctor about your treatment options.
