Why do our ears get blocked with wax?

Why do our ears get blocked with wax?

Have you previously suffered from ear wax problems? Then read on…

A question we regularly get asked at Click Hearing is ‘Why have my ears suddenly got blocked with wax?’

Many of us have suffered with ear wax blocking our ears giving a feeling of congestion, general itchiness or a sudden hearing loss.

But what is ear wax and why is it there?

Ear wax is not a wax at all, its name coming more from its texture than anything else. It is actually made up of dead skin cells, hair, dust and the secretions of the ceruminous and the sebaceous glands. The technical term for this strange and tacky substance is Cerumen.

Ear wax provides both a protective coating to the skin in your ear canal as well as helping to clean it. Ear wax offers protection from as much dirt and germs that your lifestyle throws at you.

Every time you move your jaw, through eating or talking, the ear wax is gradually moved outwards from inside the ear until it just falls out, normally without you realising. Your body makes ear wax all of the time but the amount does vary from person to person.

Why does ear wax block my ears?

Sometimes wax can cause a blockage or ‘plug’ and these plugs can be more likely if you:

• are just someone who generates more wax than others.
• have narrow or hairy ear canals.
• have a dry skin problem such as eczema or psoriasis.
• wear hearing aids or use audio ear plugs frequently.
• use cotton buds to clean your ear, often forcing the ear wax further into the ear! Don’t!
• use other ‘ingenious’ tools such as keys, pens, matchsticks etc. to try and remove wax yourself. Don’t!

It’s also the case that as we become older the wax we produce becomes drier. This also makes it harder and more difficult to drop out of its own accord. Additionally, some people might have excess hair growth in their ear which can be a catalyst in blocking the ear along with the earwax. Such people tend to get those excessive hairs removed professionally from a place like Semper Laser Hair Removal or similar laser clinics near them. This might help in preventing frequent ear blockages. Having said that, it would be advisable to consult with an ear doctor prior to the procedure.