To get the best experience while viewing this site, it is recommended that you upgrade to a modern browser version of Chrome or Firefox.

You may do so by clicking on one of these icons:


southern new mexico surgery center
 
  •  

  •  
    Health Library Explorer
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
    Pediatric Health Library
    A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Topic IndexLibrary Index
    Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.
    Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.
    Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

    Impacted Earwax

    Impacted earwax is a buildup of the natural wax in the ear. Impacted earwax is very common. It can cause symptoms such as hearing loss. It can also make it hard for a healthcare provider to check your ear.

    Understanding earwax

    Tiny glands in your ear make substances that combine with dead skin cells to form earwax. Earwax helps protect your ear canal from water, dirt, infection, and injury. Over time, earwax travels from the inner part of your ear canal to the entrance of the canal. Then it falls away naturally. But in some cases, it can’t travel to the entrance of the canal. This may be because of a health condition or objects put in the ear. With age, earwax tends to become harder and less fluid. Older adults are more likely to have problems with earwax buildup.

    What causes impacted earwax?

    Earwax can build up because of many health conditions. Some cause a physical blockage. Others cause too much earwax to be made. Health conditions that can cause earwax buildup include:

    • Bony blockage in the ear (osteoma or exostoses)

    • Infections, such as an outer ear infection (external otitis)

    • Skin disease, such as eczema

    • Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus

    • A narrowed ear canal from birth, chronic inflammation, or injury

    • Too much earwax because of injury

    • Too much earwax because of water in the ear canal

    Putting objects in the ear again and again can also cause impacted earwax. For example, putting cotton swabs in the ear may push the wax deeper into the ear. Over time, this may cause blockage. Hearing aids, swimming plugs, and swim molds can also cause this problem when used again and again.

    In some cases, the cause of impacted earwax is not known.

    Symptoms of impacted earwax

    Excess earwax often does not cause any symptoms, unless there is a large amount of buildup. Then it may cause symptoms such as:

    • Hearing loss

    • Earache

    • Sense of ear fullness

    • Itching in the ear

    • Odor from the ear

    • Ear drainage

    • Dizziness

    • Ringing in the ears

    • Cough

    Treatment for impacted earwax

    If you don’t have symptoms, you may not need treatment. Often the earwax goes away on its own with time. If you have symptoms, you may have one or more treatments such as:

    • Ear drops to soften the earwax. This helps it leave the ear over time.

    • Rinsing the ear canal with water. This is done in a healthcare provider’s office.

    • Removing the earwax with small tools. This is also done in a provider’s office.

    In rare cases, some treatments for earwax removal may cause complications such as:

    • Outer ear infection

    • Earache

    • Short-term hearing loss

    • Dizziness

    • Water trapped in the ear canal

    • Hole in the eardrum

    • Ringing in the ears

    • Bleeding from the ear

    Talk with your healthcare provider about which risks apply most to you.

    Caution

    Healthcare providers don't advise using ear candles or ear vacuum kits. These methods are not shown to work and may cause more problems.

    Preventing impacted earwax

    You may not be able to prevent impacted earwax if you have a health condition that causes it, such as eczema. In other cases, you may be able to prevent earwax buildup by:

    • Using ear drops once a week

    • Having a regular ear cleaning about every 6 months

    • Not using cotton swabs in the ear

    When to call the healthcare provider

    Call your healthcare provider right away if you have:

    • Symptoms of impacted earwax

    • Severe symptoms after earwax removal, such as bleeding or severe ear pain

     

    Online Medical Reviewer: Ashutosh Kacker MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Rita Sather RN
    Online Medical Reviewer: Tara Novick BSN MSN
    Date Last Reviewed: 3/1/2022
    © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
    horizontal line

    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

    Disclaimer