The Important Job of Earwax

Why is Earwax important?

In order to look after your ears and successfully preserve your hearing for a long period, one should be aware of the important role of earwax. Most of us consider the sticky substance as an unpleasant waste material that should be thoroughly removed from the ear canal every few days. However, such an attitude or lack of sufficient knowledge on the role of earwax may cause unpleasant complications in the future.

See our post on How to remove earwax for more information.

How is Earwax produced?

Earwax is produced in the outer ear canal and acts as a natural protector of the ear against bacteria, water, small particles that may be harmful, dust and even insects. Its second important function is to naturally clean and lubricate the ear and successfully preserve its moist environment. When the ear canal is healthy, the amount of the secreted cerumen is barely noticeable and is unlikely to cause any problems. It naturally leaves the ear, together with the gathered dirt, to make room for the newly produced earwax in a constant process. In this case, it is not necessary to take special measures to clean or lubricate the ear. It is advisable to monitor for symptoms that may suggest the amount of formed earwax is either insufficient or excessive.

What happens if the Ear Canal Drys out?

The symptoms of a dry ear canal that is not producing enough earwax include:

• Constant itching
• Skin irritation
• The necessity to constantly rub and scratch your ears
• A feeling of dryness
• Red, inflamed or peeling skin, especially at the entrance of the ear canal

If you feel you may be suffering from any of these conditions, although they may seem unimportant at first, it is crucial to inform your healthcare specialist in order to find the reasons behind them, e.g. skin disorders, the inability of the ear to produce enough earwax or improper cleaning.

Is Excess Earwax a problem?

The excessive production of cerumen is another worrying condition that should be monitored carefully because if neglected and not treated in time, may lead to conductive hearing loss. Some of the symptoms that may be experienced include:

• Ringing in the ears
• Hearing loss
• Blockage feeling

• Pain

If the excessive amount of earwax is not removed, it may gradually block the ear, cause a painful eardrum and lead to hearing problems that may cause permanent hearing loss. However, you should not risk cleaning your ears without input from a professional, because you may harm the delicate parts of the ear. It is important to visit a hearing specialist that will be able to advise on the proper methods and products for ear hygiene and if necessary remove the built-up earwax manually.

Thanks to expert design, the Earpal earwax remover tool cannot touch or perforate the eardrum accidentally. As a result, your ears and hearing will avoid being damaged in the ear cleaning process. Considered safer than Q-Tips.

About Hearing Direct

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• Hearing aids,
• Batteries,
• Hearing Aid Accessories such as earplugs,
• and amplified devices such as super loud alarm clocks and amplified phones.

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