Earwax impaction is a common problem. It can happen slowly over time with a sudden onset of symptoms that include decreased hearing, dizziness, pain in the ear and/or tinnitus (ringing in the ear). Over-the-counter “home remedies” are an easy solution. If these solutions are not helpful, seeing an Audiologist or ear specialist is the next best step.

3. Earwax is a curious thing.
Why do we have it? Do we
need it? What’s its
purpose? You may have
wondered these things or
if you haven’t, most any 9
year-old boy certainly has.

4. Earwax is medically
referred to as cerumen. It
is produced by glands in
the outer ear canal and its
purpose is to trap dust and
other small particles to
keep them from travelling
toward the eardrum and
potentially causing
irritation or damage.

5. A complete blockage, or
impaction of the ear canal
by earwax can happen to
anyone. The most common
cause is from wax getting
pushed deep within the
ear canal by a q-tip or
other object placed in the
ear canal, such as bobby
pins or car keys.

6. Earwax blockage can be
associated with a number
of symptoms that can be
somewhat disturbing to
the person experiencing
them because often, the
symptoms are sudden and
generally do not
accompany any other
incident.

7. The easiest way to handle an
earwax blockage is to try
removing the wax yourself at
home. The only time a “home
remedy” shouldn’t be tried is
if you have a hole in your
eardrum or if an ear, nose and
throat physician has placed a
pressure equalization tube (PE
tube) in the eardrum.

8. If you have tried a
home remedy and
haven’t seen a change
in your symptoms, it
may be time to seek
medical treatment.

9. Your audiologist or
medical doctor can
then keep a close eye
on your earwax
production and make
sure that an
impaction doesn’t
occur in the future.