(Earwax; Ear Impaction; Ear Blockage)
Definition
Definition
Cerumen is the soft yellow wax made by glands in your ear canal. It is more commonly known as earwax. Cerumen impaction is a build-up of earwax that becomes wedged in, blocking the ear canal.
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Causes
Causes
Cerumen impaction is usually caused by:
- An inability of the ear to naturally clear itself of cerumen due to hardening
- Putting objects into your ears that push the cerumen deeper into the ear canal
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Cerumen impaction is more common in older adults. It can cause hearing loss.
Other factors that may increase your chance of cerumen impaction include:
- Trying to remove cerumen with a cotton-tipped swab
- A twisted, narrow, or complicated ear canal
- Ears that overproduce or make thick cerumen
- Dense hair growth in the ear canal
- Hearing aid use
- Intellectual disability
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. An ear exam will be done to look for impacted cerumen.
Treatment
Treatment
Treatment involves removal of the earwax from the ear canal. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Cerumen can be removed by:
-
Using one of several instruments, including:
- Curette—This is a surgical instrument shaped like a scoop.
- Suction—When the cerumen is loosened, the earwax will be vacuumed.
- Flushing—The impacted cerumen may be rinsed using flushing equipment.
- Ceruminolytic agents—A ceruminolytic agent may be prescribed. This is a liquid-like solution used in the ear to soften the earwax and ease removal.
Earwax moves out of your ear naturally. Earwax should not be removed by you. In fact, continuously trying to clean your ear of cerumen by using a cotton swab, for example, can damage your ear. By trying to remove earwax, you can:
- Damage your eardrum—the membrane that vibrates and transmits sound to the middle ear
- Make yourself more prone to otitis externa—an infection or inflammation of the skin that lines the ear canal
- Injure the ear canal
- Cause the cerumen to become more impacted and more difficult to remove
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of cerumen impaction:
- Do not clean your ears with anything more than a soapy washcloth on the outer rim of your ear.
- Do not use cotton-tipped swabs to clean anywhere inside your ears.
- Use medications as advised by your doctor to help prevent the build up of earwax.
- If you are concerned about earwax, see your doctor. Do not attempt to remove the earwax by yourself.
- Schedule regular visits to remove earwax build up as advised by your doctor.
RESOURCES:
American Speech–Language–Hearing Association http://asha.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca
References:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated October 30, 2012. Accessed August 7, 2015.
Jabor MA, Amedee RG. Cerumen impaction. J La State Med Soc. 1997;149(10):358-362.
Mahoney DF. Cerumen impaction. Prevalence and detection in nursing homes. J Gerontol Nurs. 1993;19(4):23-30.
Olusanya BO. Hearing impairment in children with impacted cerumen. Ann Trop Paediatr. 2003;23(2):121-128.
Pray WS, Pray JJ. Earwax: Should it be removed? US Pharmacist. 2005;30(5).
2/26/2010 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed:
Ear candles: risk of serious injuries. US Food and Drug Administration website. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm201108.htm. Updated September 5, 2013. Accessed September 11, 2014.
Last Updated: 9/11/2014