Earwax Blockage Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Earwax Blockage?

Earwax blockage occurs when earwax, or cerumen, accumulates in the ear. Such blockage leads to difficulty in naturally washing away the earwax.
Earwax is produced by glands in the ear canal. . Usually, the wax dries up and falls out of the ear, along with any trapped debris. Smaller shaped ear canals may make it difficult for the naturally occurring wax to get out of the canal and lead to wax impactions.
Such accumulation may occur when too much earwax is produced or when the existing wax pushes too far into the ear canal.
Since earwax is a natural element of the body’s defense system and helps in lubricating and protecting the ear canal, earwax blockage may lead to development of further complications if not treated.
Symptoms may persist until the excess earwax is removed. Generally, home remedies are successful in treating earwax blockage. However, in case of severe pain and persisting symptoms, medical intervention may be required.

Causes Of Earwax Blockage:

Earwax blockage may occur when the wax either gets accumulated in the ear or when it gets pushed deep within the ear canal.

Some common causes of ear blockage may include:

•     The use of Q-tips or cotton swabs which can remove superficial wax but also pushes the rest of the wax deeper into the ear canal.
•     Using hearing aids or earplugs

Factors that can increase the risk of excess earwax accumulation:

•     producing naturally hard or dry earwax
•     having narrow or hairy ear canals
•     being elderly, as earwax becomes drier with age
•     bony growths in the outer part of the ear canal

Symptoms Of Earwax Blockage:

The following signs and symptoms may be exhibited by those who suffer from earwax blockage:

•     Earache
•     Feeling of fullness in the affected ear
•     Ringing or noises in the ear (tinnitus)
•     Decreased hearing in the affected ear
•     Dizziness
•     Cough

Diagnosis Of Earwax Blockage:

Diagnoses of ear blockage may be made via examination by an ENT specialist. Such examination may be done with a special instrument that lights and magnifies the inner ear (otoscope).

Treatment Of Earwax Blockage:

Earwax blockage may be treated via:

•     Eardrops
•     Ear irrigation
•     Microsuction
•     Aural toilet
•     Over-the-counter wax softening drops such as Debrox or Murine may be put into the affected ear and then allowed to drain out after about five minutes

By : Natural Health News