Earwax is an important substance found in the ear canal which plays an important role in trapping dust and dirt, repelling water (and therefore protecting the eardrum from damage), and lubricating the lining of the ear canal. The ears are self-cleaning, so the wax is gradually moved by jaw movements, such as chewing or talking, to remove it from the ear canal.
Most of the time, the earwax is removed from the ear canal by this process and a normal production of earwax is both healthy and beneficial for your ears. However, sometimes if you do not look after your ears properly, or if you attempt to clean your ears using cotton swabs, bobby pins or pencils, then you will simply be pushing the earwax further into your ear and compressing it against the eardrum.
When earwax is pressed up against the eardrum, this is known as earwax blockage, or cerumen impaction. It can cause a range of symptoms which can be unpleasant and/or uncomfortable.
Some symptoms people experience includes an earache, feeling of fullness in the ear, hearing loss, itchiness, ringing in the ear (tinnitus), or dizziness. If you find that you are experiencing these symptoms, then it may well be because you have earwax build-up. This is very simple to treat, by an at-home treatment of olive oil over the course of 2 weeks. Alternatively, you can get in touch with a professional here at Ear Wax Care and we will let you know how we can help.
