Ten Facts About Earwax

There are many misconceptions about earwax. Here are ten facts about earwax you may not know…

1. Earwax Is Not Wax

   • Cerumen is the scientific name for ear wax. It consists of skin cells, hair, and secretions from the glands in the outer ear and includes cholesterol, fatty acids and alcohols. It has a waxy consistency that helps it perform essential functions.

2. Your Body’s Natural Defence Mechanism

   • It performs a valuable function, preventing dirt, dirt, and various foreign bodies from reaching your inner ear. Without wax, your ears would be more susceptible to infection and inflammation. It even doubles up as an insect repellent since it contains acids that they find unpleasant.

3. It Has Antibacterial Qualities

   • Earwax is not only a physical barrier but also has anti-fungal and antibacterial qualities. A 2011 German study described ten peptides in earwax that contain these properties.

4. It is Soluble in Water

   • It may be that your shower can dissolve or loosen earwax, and in some instances, it may be as effective and potentially less irritating than over the counter remedies. A few warm water droplets might be sufficient to loosen your stubborn earwax. However, you must not prod or poke as this will likely have the opposite effect.

5. Earwax can Disappear Naturally

   • For most people, earwax migrates towards the outer ear of its own accord and needs no assistance. Chewing and talking create natural jaw movements that help to facilitate this. Sometimes adding a few drops of natural oil such as almond or olive oil to your ears can help.

6. The Causes of Earwax Build-Up

   • Not all ears are the same. If you have odd-shaped ears or smaller ear canals, this can affect the natural migration of earwax. Sometimes clumsy DIY attempts at wax removal using hair grips or cotton buds can cause it to become solidly impacted and need specialist treatment.
   • Music lovers who use earbuds and wearers of “in-the-ear” hearing aids are also more vulnerable to wax build-up since these prevent the natural migration of earwax. Stress and anxiety can also result in earwax build-up because of a stimulation of the sweat glands.

7. Earwax Varies Depending on Your Origins

   • Strangely, earwax varies depending on your ethnic origin! Monell Research Centre identified that it is dry and crumbly for some while wet and sticky for others. The latter is more likely to occur in those with European or African ancestry.

8. Symptoms of Excess Earwax

   • Excess earwax can result in various symptoms. These can range from earache, fullness, tinnitus, and sufferers have also noted hearing loss, dizziness, coughs and fevers and unpleasant odours or secretions.

9. Hopi Ear Candles

   • • Widely believed to originate from ancient medicine, even the Hopi Tribe denied that they ever used ear candles. The Universities of Exeter and Plymouth describe ear candling as “a triumph of ignorance over science” and assert that there is a complete lack of positive data. They conclude that they do more harm than good. We advise speaking to your doctor or an AIHHP hearing aid audiologist rather than relying on dubious remedies.

10. Microsuction – The Highest Standard for Earwax Removal

    • With doubts about the safety and effectiveness of ear syringing and as resources are limited, most GP surgeries can no longer offer an earwax removal service. Microsuction is the gold standard solution in private practice audiology. A microscope is used with depth perception to view the removal of wax, so it is perfectly safe. The process is fast and painless.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these facts about earwax! If you would like to talk to a local, independent audiologist about your hearing or ear wax removal, we can help. Use our online too to find your local AIHHP Centre of Excellence that offers ear wax removal services. CLICK HERE