By Kristine Herrman, MS, CCC-A, Clinical Audiologist, Hometown Hearing & Audiology
It isn’t necessarily a pleasant topic with patients, and they often feel the need to affirm their good hygiene habits when it’s discovered, but earwax (cerumen) production is normal and essential.
This mixture of secretions originates in the cerumen gland deep within the skin of the external ear canal. It protects the ear canal and eardrum from dust and bacteria as well as foreign matter that may crawl, fly, or be blown into the ear. It also helps prevent itching and irritation of the ear by providing moisture. Once this material has been secreted and has collected any debris, it is then expelled and migrates out the ear, often aided by jaw movement. The problem arises when the wax is not expelled but, rather, accumulates.
The failure of the cerumen to dislodge and travel out the ear can be due to anatomical abnormalities. Also, while the quantity and quality of earwax is similar for men and women, compaction is more common in men due to large, coarse hairs within the canal that impair the natural cleansing process. Increasing age may be another contributor, as the cerumen gland becomes less effective at producing its secretions, resulting in drier earwax composition. Caucasians and African-Americans tend to have softer cerumen, which aids in removal.
Additionally, nearly 30 percent of malfunctioning hearing aids or complaints of feedback are the result of wax compaction and incomplete cleaning of the device. It is recommended that hearing aids be cleaned nightly while the wax is still moist from the day’s use rather than waiting until morning.
Some symptoms indicating the presence of cerumen buildup in the ears include ear ringing (tinnitus), cough, earache, a feeling of fullness in the ear, dizziness, and deafness.
The safest way to clear your ears is to clean what you can with a washcloth and let nature take its course. For some, though, this isn’t enough and softening agents may be indicated for the relief of wax compaction. After a few applications, the wax will break down and travel out the ear on its own, or a syringe and rinse may be necessary. If these methods are not effective, removal should be performed by a medical professional. Cleaning the ears with cotton swabs is not advised as it may push the cerumen further into the ear, disrupting the natural process, and possibly causing rupture of the tympanic membrane.
To help minimize the chance of experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of excessive earwax, make a mental note to ask for your ears to be checked on a regular basis at your appointments with your primary care physician. While cerumen has a definite purpose, it can also be the cause of increased difficulties for those already dealing with hearing challenges.
For more information, you may contact Kristine Herrman, Certified Lyric provider, at Hometown Hearing & Audiology, 309-452-9300. Her office is located at 112 Boeykens Place, Suite 4A. Kristine has been in practice for 20 years and currently resides in the Bloomington/Normal community with her family.
Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1293500