Don’t forget to wash your ears. It’s hard not to say that in your “parenting” voice. Perhaps you even recall getting that advice as a kid. As you get wrapped up in past nostalgia, that sort of memory can take you back to simpler times.

But that advice can be rather helpful. Out-of-control earwax buildup can cause a substantial number of issues, especially for your hearing. Even worse, this organic compound can solidify in place making it challenging to clean out. Bottom line, you’ll be best off keeping those ears clean.

Excessive earwax? Eww!

We get it, earwax isn’t the most appealing of substances. That’s an opinion that most individuals share. But it is actually essential for your ear’s health. Created by specialized glands in your ear and pushed outwards by the chewing motions of your jaw, earwax can help keep dust and dirt out of your ears.

In other words, the correct amount of earwax can help keep your ears healthy and clean. It may seem peculiar, but earwax doesn’t indicate poor hygiene.

The problems begin when your ears produce too much earwax. And it can be rather difficult to know if the amount of earwax being created is healthy or too much.

What is the consequence of accumulated earwax?

So, what happens as a result of excess earwax? There are numerous issues that could arise due to out-of-control earwax or earwax that builds up over time. Those issues include:

• Dizziness: Your inner ear is essential to your balance. You can suffer from episodes of dizziness and balance issues when your inner ear is having trouble.
• Infection: Excessive earwax can lead to ear infections. In some cases, that’s because the earwax can trap fluid where it shouldn’t be.
• Tinnitus: Tinnitus is a condition where you hear a phantom ringing or buzzing in your ears. Earwax buildup can cause tinnitus symptoms to worsen or to emerge.
• Earache: An earache is one of the most prevalent indications of excess earwax. It doesn’t have to hurt too much (though, in some cases it can). This typically occurs when earwax is creating pressure in places that it shouldn’t be.

These are only a few. Headaches and pain can occur because of uncontrolled earwax accumulation. Too much earwax can hinder the functionality of hearing aids. So excessive earwax might make you think your hearing aids are malfunctioning.

Can earwax impact your hearing?

Well, yes it can. One of the most common problems associated with excess earwax is hearing loss. Usually producing a form of conductive hearing loss, earwax builds up in the ear canal, stopping sound waves and vibrations from getting in. The issue usually goes away when the earwax is eliminated, and normally, your hearing will go back to normal.

But if the buildup becomes severe, permanent damage can occur. The same goes for earwax-related tinnitus. It’s normally temporary. But the longer the excess earwax sticks around (that is, the longer you neglect the symptoms), the bigger the danger of long-term damage.

Prevention, treatment, or both?

If you want to safeguard your hearing, then it seems logical to keep an eye on your earwax. It’s incorrect cleaning, not excess production that leads to buildup in most situations (for example, blockage is frequently a result of cotton swabs, which tend to push the earwax further in rather than removing it).

Frequently, the wax has become hardened, thick, and unmovable without professional help. You’ll be capable of starting to hear again after you get that treatment and then you can start over, cleaning your ears the right way.

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