Impacted earwax happens when there is a build-up of earwax in the ear, which could lead to infection if not removed.
Our ears are very efficient at cleaning themselves. Ironically, it’s usually when people try to clean their ears that impacted earwax is caused. Using things like cotton buds, your finger, or other objects to try and remove earwax can actually push it further into the ear – where it can build up and become impacted.
It can also be caused by excessive earwax, which can simply happen when your body naturally produces more earwax than it needs, or if it becomes drier or stickier than normal. It’s when this excessive earwax builds up that it can become impacted.
Other causes of impacted include:
Hearing loss is the most obvious sign that you may need to have wax removed from your ear. There are a few other slow-growing signs that you can look out for, especially if you have a history of compacted earwax.
Usually resulting purely from pressure on the ear canal, if the wax has been pushed deep into the ear, the pain may come from direct pressure on the eardrum as well.
This is actually caused by the hard wax pressing on the vagus nerve which runs along the ear. The pressure can excite the nerve and make you cough, despite your throat being clear.
If the hard wax is pressing equally around the ear canal, then you may feel a sensation of fullness inside the ear.
If you feel earwax is causing a problem, get in touch with us to discuss treatment options.
If you have impacted earwax, it can make your hearing sound a bit muffled in the affected ear. If a hearing loss is caused by a blockage, it’s called conductive hearing loss and it will usually resolve itself once your blockage – in this case, the build-up of earwax – is removed.
In rare cases though, if the earwax is left untreated for too long, there is the potential for it to lead to a more permanent hearing loss caused by long-lasting damage to the ear canal. That’s why it’s important to come in and have your ears checked by a specialist if you think there is something wrong.
Your ear canal regularly secretes earwax thanks to the sebaceous glands located in your outer ear. The movement of your neck and jaw massage these secretions along the ear canal, picking up debris like dirt and dead skin along the way. Once combined, this is what forms earwax as we know it.
If there is a change in the consistency of secretions from your ear canal, this will naturally cause harder earwax to be formed. This is common as we get older. If there is an increase in the amount of debris in your ear, then this will also have a similar effect. Harder wax moves more slowly along the ear canal, making you more prone to a build-up.
Medical conditions like eczema, which increase the amount of dead skin in the ear, can also cause excess earwax.
Living or working in a dirty environment, such as construction, may increase the amount of debris mixing with earwax and again lead to blockages.
There are several other factors that can cause compacted and hard earwax – these are just a few examples that can contribute to it.
Some people have an increased chance of experiencing earwax issues. This usually stems from an underlying medical problem, such as trauma or disease affecting the ear.
Bony growths, known as osteomas, and narrow ear canals can restrict the passage of earwax and increase the chances of hardening and blockage. Skin problems such as eczema, or more systemic diseases like lupus, affect both secretion in the ear and the amount of dead skin that needs to be cleared by the body.
It’s also worth remembering that regularly using things like earphones and hearing aids will naturally push against the wax and can increase the risk of a problematic build-up.
Earwax is a common problem for many and may only be part of the picture when it comes to any changes to your hearing that you may be experiencing.
Finding out if you do have hearing loss is the best first step to take. Book in for a consultation with Dr Sandhu.
Unfortunately, impacted earwax is unlikely to go away on its own. This is because the wax will have hardened and become stuck, and the normal movement of your jaw and the muscles in your face aren’t making it move out of your ear anymore.
The good news is that having your impacted wax removed is a really easy procedure. All you need to do is book an appointment and visit our clinic in Stapleford.
If you have impacted earwax, there’s a greater risk of you developing an ear infection caused by irritation to the sensitive skin inside your ear canal. This can be uncomfortable and may require further treatment – so it’s important that you get your impacted earwax removed safely.
Depending on the extent of your earwax build-up, the clinician will either remove it manually, with a specialist tool, or use a method called microsuction, which essentially sucks out the earwax build-up without any contact with the eardrum or sensitive skin of the ear canal.
Removing impacted earwax is generally a pain-free experience and you won’t need anaesthesia or any pain medication. It might feel a little strange to have someone poking around in your ear, but try your best not to move during the procedure, just to prevent any potential damage to the ear canal caused by a sudden movement.
Our clinicians will talk you through the procedure before they begin so you’ll be aware of the steps being taken to remove the wax.
As the earwax tries to clear dead skin and debris, it can also trap bacteria inside the ear canal. If left untreated there is potential for an outer ear infection known as otitis externa. Dr Sandhu can discuss treatment options for your ear infections.
Nottingham Ear Clinic
200 Derby Road, Stapleford, Nottingham, NG9 7AY
Copyright © 2024 Nottingham Ear Clinic - All Rights Reserved.
Regulated by the Care Quality Commission