Earwax blockage - How to take care of it?

Have you ever wondered why your ears sometimes feel blocked? That could be due to earwax! Don't you pick up that cotton swab without knowing what is happening there?

Earwax is not some nasty, disgusting thing our body produces for no reason. It's practical - it prevents anything from getting into your ears, like dust and bugs. Your ears are often programmed to clean themselves; they expel the old wax as new wax is prepared.

But at other times, your ears are producing excess wax. When wax builds up too much, it can cause what doctors call an 'earwax blockage.' We will discuss what causes these blockages, how to spot them, and, most importantly, how to deal with them safely.

Causes of Earwax Blockage

Do you know what makes our ears go from self-cleaning to waxy blockage? Let's break it down:

1. Your ears are overproducing: Sometimes, the ears produce more wax than is required. This overproduction can lead to buildup, especially if the wax isn't clearing out on its own.
2. Ear cleaning gone wrong: Remember those cotton swabs we talked about? Even when you use them to clean the ears, you will likely push the wax further into the inner ear.
3. The shape of your ears: Some of us are born with ear canals twisted or narrower than others. This can minimise the chances of wax gliding out freely on its own.
4. Wearing earbuds or hearing aids: If you always block your ears with earbuds or hearing aids, you might be preventing the natural expulsion of wax from the ear canal. It is like creating a roadblock on that wax highway.
5. Age and certain medical conditions: Over time, ear wax becomes even drier, and getting rid of it becomes more difficult. Some medical conditions can also affect how our body produces or clears earwax.

Symptoms of Earwax Blockage

How do you know that you have wax congestion in your ears? Here are the main signs to watch out for:

Fuzzy hearing: Your first sign may be that all the sounds around you become masked, similar to being underwater or plugging your ear.

Ear pain or itchiness: Your ears may feel sore or uncomfortable or start itching.

Ringing in your ears: Do you experience a buzzing, ringing, or whistling sound that no one else can hear? That is known as tinnitus, and although it has many causes, one is earwax buildup.

Feeling dizzy: Sometimes, a wax buildup can disrupt your balance. Earwax could cause dizziness and the sensation that the room is spinning or you feel off balance.

Coughing: Do you know earwax, when accumulated, may cause the cough reflex? Has it occurred? It's not common, but it happens!

Difficulty with hearing aids: If you use hearing aids that are not as effective as they used to be or hear strange noises, wax buildup could be an issue.

Home Remedies To Address Ear Wax Buildup

If you have a wax buildup, try a few things at home before you rush to the doctor.

Softening drops: First, you can soften that stubborn wax. It's like trying to melt a candle but in your ear.

• Olive oil: Place a few drops in your ear, wait for a few minutes, and tilt your head to allow the oil to drain out.
• Mineral oil: It works the same way as olive oil. Add a couple of drops, wait a bit, and then drain.
• Over-the-counter drops: You can find these at the drugstore. They're made just for this job.

Irrigation: If the drops aren't doing the trick, you might try gently flushing out your ear.

• Use warm (not hot!) water.
• Get a bulb syringe (it looks like a rubber ball with a pointy end) from the drugstore.
• Tilt your head and gently squirt the water into your ear.
• Let it drain out into the sink or a towel.

The big don'ts:

• Don't stick anything in your ear: no cotton swabs, bobby pins, or car keys.
• Don't use ear candles. They're not safe and can make things worse.
• If you have ear tubes, a hole in your eardrum, or ear pain, skip the home remedies and see a doctor.

Medical Treatments For Treating Ear Wax Buildup

So, the home remedies didn't quite do the job. No worries! It's time to bring in the ear experts. Here's what the doctors might do to get your ears back at work:

Professional Irrigation: The doctor or nurse will use a particular machine to flush out your ears with water. It's like the at-home irrigation we discussed but with fancier equipment and someone who knows what they're doing.

Manual Removal: Sometimes, the wax is too stubborn for water alone. In this case, the doctor might need to remove it by hand. Don't worry—they've got special tools for this, like tiny ear spoons or tweezers.

Prescription Ear Drops: If your wax is giving them trouble, the doctor might prescribe some heavy-duty ear drops. These are stronger than the over-the-counter stuff and can help break down that tough wax.

Microsuction: This is the vacuum cleaner approach. The doctor uses a tiny suction device to pull out the wax gently. It's quick and usually pretty comfortable.

The Combo Approach: Sometimes, the doctor might mix these methods. They might soften the wax with drops, then remove it with irrigation or manual removal.

Prevention Tips

So, now that we've cleared out that waxy buildup, let's talk about how to keep your ears happy and blockage-free in the future. It's easier than you might think!

Keep those fingers out: Your fingers, cotton swabs, or other objects can push wax deeper and cause more problems.

Let your ears do their thing: Believe it or not, your ears are pretty good at cleaning themselves. For most people, a simple wipe of the outer ear with a washcloth during your shower is all you need.

Soften things up: If you tend to get waxy, try using a few drops of baby oil or mineral oil in each ear once a week. This can help keep things moving smoothly.

Be gentle after swimming: If water is in your ears after a swim, tilt your head to the side and gently tug on your earlobe. Do not vigorously rub your towel or excavate your cotton swab!

Watch those earbuds: If you're an earbud addict, give your ears a break now and then. And keep those buds clean - nobody wants waxy, grimy earbuds!

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Summing Up

Taking care of your ears doesn't have to be complicated. A little earwax is good for you - nature's way of keeping your ears protected and clean. But too much of a good thing can cause problems. If you're dealing with wax buildup, try some gentle home remedies first. If those don't work, don't be shy about seeing a doctor. They've got the tools and know-how to get things flowing smoothly again.