What is earwax buildup?

Bouchon de cire Earwax buildup is an accumulation of earwax that partially or fully blocks the auditory canal. It can occur at any age. However, men and seniors are more at risk, as they tend to produce more earwax.

While earwax buildup does need to be removed, it’s important to remember that earwax is an important part of the ear. It protects the ear from bacteria, fungi and foreign bodies (debris) and lubricates the skin of the auditory canal.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms of earwax buildup. Here are a few:

Feeling of fullness or “plugging” in the ear
Hearing loss
Tinnitus
Feeling of having something in the ear
And more

Causes

While causes can vary from one person to the next, here are a few factors that contribute to the formation of earwax buildup:

Excessive earwax formation
Shape of the auditory canal (a more winding canal affects the ear’s natural ability to clean itself)
Earwax consistency
Use of hearing aids, hearing protectors or earplugs for sleeping (these can prevent the ear from cleaning itself and push earwax farther into the auditory canal)
Use of cotton buds

Auditory canal hygiene

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not necessary to clean the auditory canal. It cleans itself by gradually pushing earwax to the outside of the ear, primarily through jaw movements.

Avoid using cotton buds to clean the auditory canal. Doing so compacts the earwax and pushes it back inside the ear instead of removing it, which makes earwax buildup more likely.

All you need to do to clean your ears is use a damp cloth to clean the earwax from the outside of the auditory canal. If you tend to produce a lot of earwax, you may decide to purchase an earwax softener (available over the counter at most pharmacies) as a preventive measure. As the name implies, this product softens the earwax and prevents buildups from forming. Other products, like vegetable oil (e.g. olive oil) or unscented mineral oil, may also be used.

Recommendations

If earwax plugs occur, the auditory canal will need to be cleaned. Many healthcare professionals can do this, such as:

Nurses:

Nurses in both public (CLSC) and private (paid) clinics can clean auditory canals.

Family doctors:

Some family doctors will clean auditory canals.

ENT specialists:

ENT (ear-nose-throat) specialists will often clean auditory canals, but most require a referral from a doctor first.

To find the neareast Lobe clinic that offers ENT specialists' services, click here.