subject: Ear Wax- What to do?- ENT Specialist Bangalore - Dr Sonia S V [print this page] Ear Wax- What to do?- ENT Specialist Bangalore - Dr Sonia S V
By Dr Sonia Suprabha Venugopal, ENT Specialist Bangalore
What is ear wax?
Ear wax or cerumen as it is medically called is produced by small glands in the outer 1/3 rd of the ear canal. The ear wax traps particles and protects the ear.
Why does ear wax accumulate?
Ear wax is normally pushed to the outside by normal mechanisms of the body.
Common causes of ear wax accumulation include:
Use of ear buds[ Q tips]: this is the most common cause of ear wax problem: in an attempt to clean the ear, wax is pushed in deep into the ear canal and accumulates.
Use of pins/ match sticks/rolled napkin corners etc to itch ear/'clean' ears
Using ear plugs
Hearing aid users
Structural variations in ear canal producing narrow/collapsed outer ear canal
Swellings in outer ear canal- eg an osteoma
You may be having ear wax accumulation if
You have used ear buds/other objects in your ear: see Below picture of ear wax cast removed from patient who used ear buds on a regular basis
You use ear plugs
You have narrow ear canals
Bony swellings in ear canal
What are the symptoms of ear wax accumulation?
Ear Blockage
Ear Fullness
Ear Pain
Ear Discomfort
Ear Itching
Hearing loss
Dizziness
Tinnitus[sounds in ear]
What should I do for ear wax?
Prevention is better- DO NOT insert objects into your ear canal.
Visit an ENT specialist in your locality if you have any of the symptoms listed above.The ENT specialist will examine your ears with a headlight,otoscope or endoscope [see picture]and diagnose your condition accurately.
How is ear wax treated?
Wax may sometimes need to be softened with medications before it is removed
