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Earwax

Earwax Overview

Earwax is produced by glands in the outer ear canal. Its purpose is to trap dust and other small particles and prevent them from reaching, and potentially damaging, the eardrum. Normally, the wax dries up and falls out of the ear, along with any trapped dust or debris.

Earwax Causes

Blockage, or impaction, occurs when the wax gets pushed deep within the ear canal. Earwax blockage affects about 6% of people and is the most common ear problem doctors see.

The most common cause of this is the use of Q-tips (and other objects such as bobby pins and rolled napkin corners), which pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal.

Hearing aid and earplug users are also more prone to earwax blockage.

Earwax Symptoms

Decreased hearing

Dizziness
Ear pain
Plugged or fullness sensation
Ringing in the ear

When to Seek Medical Care

When to go to the doctor

If at-home removal is unsuccessful

If you suspect you have a perforated eardrum (recent ear infection, injury, loud noise, or pressure change from scuba diving)
If you develop drainage from your ear
If you experience severe pain, fever, or continuing hearing loss

When to go to the hospital

If you have a severe spinning sensation, loss of balance, or inability to walk
Persistent vomiting or high fever
Sudden loss of hearing

Exams and Tests

A doctor can diagnose earwax blockage (or eardrum perforation) by listening to your symptoms and then looking into your ear with an otoscope (ear-scope).

Earwax Treatment Self-Care at Home

You may try a few earwax removal methods at home unless you have a perforation (hole) or tubes in your eardrum.

Over-the-counter wax softening drops such as Debrox and Murine or warmed mineral oil may be put into the affected ear and then allowed to drain out after about 5 minutes.

A bulb-type syringe may be used to gently flush the ear with warm water. Ear-Clear is a warm-water irrigation device that is available online for about $25-30. It is very important not to use forced water such as a Water Pik, because this may cause damage to the eardrum.

Ear candling is not recommended. It is a hollow cone made of paraffin and beeswax with cloth on the tapered end. The tapered end is placed inside the ear, and an assistant lights the other end, while making sure your hair does not catch on fire. In theory, as the flame burns, a vacuum is created, which draws the wax out of the ear. Limited clinical trials, however, showed that no vacuum was created, and no wax was removed. Furthermore, this practice may result in serious injury.

Medical Treatment

The doctor may remove your earwax with a small plastic spoon called a curette, or by irrigating your ear with warmed water, sodium bicarbonate, or other prescription-strength eardrops.