Why do I get earwax?

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The production of earwax is a normal and naturally occurring process in humans. It protects your ear from infection and provides a barrier for insects and water. Earwax typically expels itself from the ear canal spontaneously through natural jaw movement. However, in certain individuals, the self-cleaning mechanism fails, and cerumen can become impacted. Cerumen impaction (ear wax) can block the canal or press against the tympanic membrane, potentially causing a host of symptoms including ear discomfort, conductive hearing loss, fullness, otalgia, itching, and tinnitus.

When should I do something about my ear wax?

There are times when cleaning your ears maybe necessary. Typically, this is when enough earwax accumulates to cause symptoms resulting in a condition called cerumen impaction, and may cause one or more of the following symptoms:

• Earache, fullness in the ear, or a sensation the ear is plugged
• Partial hearing loss, which may be progressive
• Tinnitus, ringing, or noises in the ear
• Itching, odor, or discharge
• Coughing

In addition, your ears should also be cleaned if the wax build up may prevent or hinder the needed assessment of your ear by a doctor, audiologist or hearing aid specialist.

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How do I get relief?

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In April, 2017 the American Academy of Otolaryngology, or better known as your Ears Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor’s professional society updated their recommendation on how to treat cerumen impaction or ear wax. These updates include educating the patient to watchful waiting or observation for a period time to see if the problem clears on its own. Irrigation or ear syringing is the second recommendation and where EarClear Rx products can provide the same relief you would get going to the doctor as irrigating your ears at home. Thirdly, ear drops or cerumenolytics which break up the wax but often do not work alone and may need to be follow up by irrigation. Finally, physical removal which should only be performed by a medical professional who can remove wax with special instruments or a suction device.

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When should I do something about my ear wax?

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There are times when cleaning your ears maybe necessary. Typically, this is when enough earwax accumulates to cause symptoms resulting in a condition called cerumen impaction, and may cause one or more of the following symptoms:

• Earache, fullness in the ear, or a sensation the ear is plugged
• Partial hearing loss, which may be progressive
• Tinnitus, ringing, or noises in the ear
• Itching, odor, or discharge
• Coughing

In addition, your ears should also be cleaned if the wax build up may prevent or hinder the needed assessment of your ear by a doctor, audiologist or hearing aid specialist.

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