Northern Hearing Health | The Northern Hearing Health Centre

What is ear wax and, when is it a problem?

Ear wax (or cerumen) is a naturally occurring substance in the ear canal. The purpose of wax is to lubricate the canal and provide a natural barrier to protect the delicate skin in the ear.
Some people are prone to build-up based on their age, how much their glands secrete, and how small or narrow their ears are. People who frequently have something plugging their ears (earbuds, earplugs and hearing aids) tend to build up wax more often.
Those who try to clean their own ears at home can often push the wax deeper into their ears, creating more harm than good. STAY AWAY FROM Q-TIPS!
When ear wax builds up too much or becomes impacted, it can cause problems such as hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), ear fullness, ear pain and dizziness.