Dr. Jim Surrell, Journal columnist

By James Surrell, MD

Ear wax is normal in our ear canal, and it is produced by cells lining the ear canal. Ear wax works to protect our ear canal by keeping it clean and healthy. Our ear wax is normally self-clearing but, if there is something placed in our ear, this can disrupt the normal movement of wax, and it can build up in the ear canal. This build-up of wax can occur for many reasons, including using hearing aids, or from cotton balls or other objects frequently inserted into the ear canal. Excessive hair growth in the ear canal can also prevent the normal easy outflow of our wax. This build-up of ear wax can block the ear canal, and this is known as an impaction. This may then cause a temporary hearing loss and ear canal discomfort and may also contribute to an ear canal infection. Any hearing loss due to impacted ear wax can be very frustrating and stressful for individuals and should be medically evaluated without delay.

Be aware that any untreated hearing loss may also contribute to a person going into social isolation which is absolutely the wrong choice to make. Wax in the ear canal can also prevent adequate clinical examination of the ear during a medical examination because the ear drum cannot be properly visualized. Further, with excess ear wax in our ear canal, a hearing aid specialist cannot properly test hearing to allow them to prescribe the proper hearing aids.

So, how does an individual get the ear wax removed? It is often your best choice to get medical help from your health care provider to remove a blockage. Be aware that ear wax removal is one of the most common medical procedures performed by primary health care providers and various medical specialists in the USA today.

Ear wax forms in the outer third of the ear canal, not near the eardrum. So, when there’s a buildup right up against the eardrum, it’s often the result of failed personal removal attempts. If you decide to try to remove your ear wax by yourself, I highly recommend that you first discuss the removal process with your health care provider. Further, you really need to be aware of the following. It is recommended by the medical experts that you should never try to remove the ear wax with a cotton swab, which tends to push the ear wax back into the ear.

If your health care provider approves you doing this on your own, you can buy several types of over-the-counter eardrops that may be used to break up ear wax. Sometimes the eardrops will allow the ear wax to work its way out of the ear on its own. Other times, a few squirts of water with a bulb syringe are needed. No one with a damaged eardrum should use a bulb syringe. If water gets into the middle ear, a serious infection is possible. Again, you should check with your health care provider to see if you should be attempting to remove this ear wax on your own.

Our Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Medical Specialists and other health care providers are highly skilled at removing ear wax. They address the ear wax blockage in one’s ear canal with true expertise. Of course, with their instrument to view the ear canal, called an otoscope, they have an excellent view of the ear canal to assess for any ear wax or other abnormalities. These professional clinicians also have far better tools for mechanically removing earwax with slender, small spoon-like instruments that can comfortably fit into the narrow space of the ear canal. Again, I recommend that you discuss any personal or family ear wax issues with your healthcare provider to get their recommendations to deal with this common medical condition.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. Jim Surrell is the author of “The ABC’s For Success In All We Do” and the “SOS (Stop Only Sugar) Diet” books.Contact Dr. Surrell by email at sosdietdoc@gmail.com.