Removing earwax

When people think of earwax, they probably first think of “dirty ears” and, in that context, of cleaning the ear canal. Many people even feel a sense of revulsion at the thought of removing earwax.

But did you know that earwax actually serves an important function for our ears? You can find out what that is and what you should bear in mind when removing earwax below.

What is earwax?

Earwax is a secretion from the ceruminous glands, which is usually yellowish or brownish in colour. It is also known as earwax or, in medical terms, cerumen.

What many people don’t know: earwax is not a superfluous waste product. Instead, it is a protective secretion. Its role is to protect our ears and, in particular, our hearing, for example against dirt or dust and other foreign bodies that might enter our ear. Thanks to the oily and sticky consistency of earwax, it traps dirt particles and thus prevents them from entering the ear canal, where they could potentially cause damage.

But that’s not all: earwax also ensures that dirt and bacteria do not become lodged in the ear. Chewing and speaking gradually transport the cerumen out of the ear. Another benefit of earwax is that it keeps the ear canal supple. As a ‘natural lubricant’, it protects the skin inside the ear from drying out.

Furthermore, earwax contains enzymes and acids that inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. In this way, it can prevent infections in the ear. And have you ever wondered why earwax tastes bitter? The reason is that it is intended to deter insects from straying into our ears. Earwax thus plays an important role in maintaining ear health. Instead of viewing it as annoying dirt, we should recognise the beneficial functions of this substance and treat our ears with the care they deserve.

Why do some people have more earwax than others?

Increased production of earwax is by no means due to poor hygiene. Instead, there are various reasons why some people have more earwax than others. These include

genetic predisposition:

Specific genes influence the consistency (for example, moist or dry and crumbly) and the amount of earwax produced.

Gender:

Men generally produce more earwax than women.

Age:

Age also plays a role in the production of earwax. Older people tend to produce more. Furthermore, increased hair growth can slow down the removal process. Children produce significantly more earwax than adults.

Excessive cleaning:

As a rule, the ear produces exactly as much earwax as it needs. Cleaning too frequently can therefore lead to increased production.

External factors:

Regular use of hearing aids, as well as in-ear headphones, can lead to increased secretion in the ear.

Too much earwax? When the ear becomes blocked.

Even though the ear normally regulates earwax production itself, the ear can sometimes become blocked. This is often caused by ‘incorrect’ cleaning, for example with cotton buds. This pushes the earwax too far into the ear, where it becomes lodged. The consequences can range from hearing problems or hearing loss to ear infections and earache.

Symptoms of a blocked ear or an earwax plug include hearing loss, noises in the ear such as buzzing or hissing, a feeling of pressure in the ear, and even earache.

If you notice hearing problems or earache, it is advisable to see an ENT specialist. They can determine the specific cause of the symptoms and check whether an excess of earwax is indeed the reason.

Removing earwax: tips and tricks

As we have now established, our ears basically clean themselves. Excessive or too frequent cleaning can therefore be unnecessary or even harmful.

Nevertheless, removing earwax is sometimes necessary, for example if there is excessive production or a build-up that blocks the ear canal and causes hearing problems.

Here are a few tools and tips for removing earwax:

• Water: Clean your outer ears using a washcloth and warm water. Take care not to let any water get into your ear.
  
• Ear spray: Ear sprays are designed to clear the ear canal of excess earwax. They usually contain a special solution that softens the wax and aids its natural removal.
  
• Ear drops: Ear drops, often based on salt water or oils, help to clear blockages in the ears caused by earwax.
  
• Earwax removers: These mechanical aids are specially shaped instruments designed to remove excess earwax. However, particular care must be taken here to avoid injuring the ear.

It is important to clean the ears carefully and correctly to avoid injuring the eardrum or the ear canal.

Removing earwax at the doctor’s

If you are unsure, consult your doctor. They have various safe methods for removing earwax correctly. These include, for example:

• Ear irrigation: A doctor can perform a professional ear irrigation. During this procedure, they flush the ear canal with a special fluid to loosen the earwax.
• Ear drops: The doctor can prescribe special medical ear drops that soften the earwax and make it easier to remove.
• Curettage: Using a small, spoon-shaped instrument known as a curette, the doctor can manually and gently remove the earwax from the ear canal.
• Micro-suction: Using a special suction instrument, the doctor can carefully remove the earwax.

Best avoided: Methods for removing earwax that should be avoided

Of course, there are also plenty of tips and home remedies circulating for removing earwax. However, some should be avoided as they could potentially be dangerous. These include, for example, cotton buds, which often do more harm than good in the ear. They frequently push the earwax deeper into the ear canal. This, in turn, can lead to blockages and even damage to the eardrum. Other thin objects such as hairpins, matches, etc. should also never be used to remove earwax, as they can damage the delicate tissue inside the ear.

Ear candling is also not recommended. The practice involves inserting a hollow candle into the ear and lighting it, with the resulting suction supposedly drawing out the earwax. However, this is a controversial method and is not recommended by experts. It carries a risk of burns and can even lead to a blockage of the ear canal caused by wax.

Prevention and care

True to the saying “prevention is better than cure”, you should take the best possible care of your ears and ear canal to avoid an overproduction of earwax.

Regular and gentle care, such as cleaning the outer ear with a soft cloth, can help reduce the build-up of earwax

You should also ensure that you do not wear earplugs or headphones for too long. These can, in fact, impair the ventilation of the ear canal.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about removing earwax

How often should I clean my ears?

The question of how often you should clean your ears can only be answered on an individual basis. In any case, gentle external cleaning should be carried out regularly.

However, it is even more important that people with excessive earwax production visit an ENT specialist regularly - that is, every 3 months or at least twice a year - for a check-up, and have the earwax professionally removed if necessary, to prevent blockages of the ear canal and subsequent problems.

How much earwax is normal?

There is no clear-cut answer to the question of how much earwax is ‘normal’, as the amount of earwax a person produces depends on various factors, including, for example, gender, age and genetic predisposition. The important thing to remember is that earwax is not a bad thing.

On the contrary: it protects our ears against viruses and bacteria, as well as dust and dirt. However, excessive earwax production or incorrect cleaning of the ear canal can sometimes lead to a blockage in the ear and consequently to problems, such as earache or hearing difficulties. In such cases, you should definitely consult an ENT specialist.

Is earwax the reason why my hearing is so poor?

Hearing loss or hearing problems can have various causes, including age, illness, but also a ‘blocked’ ear. If there is an overproduction of earwax, the ear can become blocked by a wax plug.

Hearing consequently becomes more difficult. In this case, it is advisable to have this plug professionally removed by an ENT specialist.