What is earwax?
Earwax is a naturally produced substance found in your ear canals. It is typically yellow or brown, and its texture can vary from dry to soft and waxy. Earwax is made in the outer section of the ear canal and helps keeps our ear canals healthy by collecting old skin cells and hair, keeping the ear canal lubricated, and protecting it against bacteria.
Everyone has earwax, but the texture and amount will vary from person to person. If you are one of the people whose body produces a lot of earwax, or earwax gets stuck deeper in your ear canal, it can cause problems. These may include difficulty hearing, ear pain and other symptoms. In most cases, everyday movements such as chewing and talking help push wax toward the outer ear, where it can flake away naturally or be wiped away in the shower. But sometimes wax can build up and cause blockages (also called impaction).
Signs of earwax buildup include:
- Reduced or muffled hearing
- A feeling of fullness in the ear
- Itching or discomfort
- Ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- Dizziness (in rare cases)
If you find your ears are blocked, it’s important to visit your local hearing professional, rather than risk damaging your ears by attempting to clean them at home. To book a ClearEars ear wax removal appointment, call 0800 727 662.
