​Earwax Blockage

Ear wax is a waxy substance produced by special glands in the ear canal. The purpose of earwax is to trap dust and debris from the surrounding air so that it does not enter the inside of the ear canal, thus protecting your ear from damage and infections. It also lines up the ear canal, forming a waxy film over it which acts as a temporary water repellent. Everyone produces earwax, but the amount of earwax produced varies from person to person.

Normally earwax dries up and falls out of the ear on its own, along with the trapped dust and debris. However, for those with smaller ears or oddly shaped ear canals, the earwax may not fall out by itself, leading to earwax blockages. When earwax does not fall out on its own, it can build up inside the ear, leading to earwax blockages, also known as earwax impactions. Excessive earwax production can also occur due to some other conditions, such as in infection or trauma to the ear.
Besides failure to fall out itself, earwax blockages can also happen if the wax is pushed deep inside the ear canal, leading to further problems. Ironically, the most common cause of earwax blockage occurs by attempts to clean it. When you insert an object inside your ear to clean the earwax, you may be able to clear the wax visible from outside the ear, but you may also push the wax inside deeper into the ear canal. For the same reason, people who use hearing aids, ear plugs or earphones frequently are also more prone to earwax blockages because they may inadvertently push earwax further inside the ear canal.