Earwax Impaction

Blocked ear canal from accumulated cerumen

Overview

Earwax, or cerumen, is a mixture of secretions from glands in the outer ear canal and shed skin. It protects and lubricates the canal, and normally migrates outward on its own as the skin of the canal grows toward the opening. In some people wax accumulates and blocks the canal, causing fullness, mild conductive hearing loss, and sometimes tinnitus, itching, or a cough through stimulation of a branch of the vagus nerve. Cotton swabs and other objects tend to push wax deeper and are a common contributor to impaction. Narrow or hairy canals, hearing aids, and earplugs also raise the risk. Clinical methods of removal include softening drops, irrigation, and microsuction or manual removal under direct vision, chosen according to the ear and its history. Wax build up matters particularly for hearing aid users because it can cause feedback and block the device. Ear candling has been shown to be ineffective and carries a risk of burns and eardrum injury.