{"id":432,"date":"2025-03-04T14:24:31","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T11:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/?p=432"},"modified":"2025-04-15T12:23:40","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T09:23:40","slug":"earwax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/earwax\/","title":{"rendered":"Earwax"},"content":{"rendered":"

Earwax (Cerumen Impaction): What Is It, Why Does It Form, and How Is It Cleaned?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

What Is Earwax (Cerumen)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Earwax, or cerumen in medical terms, is a natural substance formed by the accumulation of secretions in the external ear canal. It does not mean the ear is dirty; on the contrary, it serves as a protective mechanism for the external ear canal.<\/p>\n

Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Prevents dust and microbes from entering the ear.<\/li>\n
  • Protects the eardrum from external factors.<\/li>\n
  • Maintains moisture balance in the ear canal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Why Does Earwax Form?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Earwax is normally expelled from the ear. However, in some cases, it can accumulate and block the ear canal, leading to hearing loss.<\/p>\n

    Factors causing cerumen impaction<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Excessive earwax production: Some people produce more earwax due to their genetic makeup.<\/li>\n
    • Working in dusty or dirty environments: Air pollution and dust can increase wax buildup.<\/li>\n
    • Narrow or curved ear canals: The structure of the ear canal can prevent natural cleaning.<\/li>\n
    • Poor cleaning habits: Using cotton swabs may push the wax deeper, causing blockage.<\/li>\n
    • Aging: With age, ear secretions may become drier and stickier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Symptoms of Earwax Blockage<\/strong><\/h3>\n

      Earwax usually goes unnoticed, but if it accumulates, it can lead to the following symptoms:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Temporary hearing loss<\/li>\n
      • Sensation of fullness in the ear<\/li>\n
      • Buzzing or ringing (tinnitus)<\/li>\n
      • Itching or discomfort in the ear<\/li>\n
      • Dizziness (rare)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        How Is Earwax Removed?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

        Normally, earwax is expelled naturally. However, if there is a blockage, it can be removed using the following methods:<\/p>\n

        Medical Cleaning Methods<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Ear drops (cerumenolytics): Help soften the wax and make it easier to expel.<\/li>\n
        • Ear irrigation: A procedure performed by an ENT specialist using special liquids to flush out the ear.<\/li>\n
        • Aspiration or curettage: Removal of earwax using special tools or suction devices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          What Not to Do at Home<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Do not use cotton swabs: They may push the wax deeper and cause blockage.<\/li>\n
          • Do not insert sharp or hard objects into the ear canal: This can damage the eardrum.<\/li>\n
          • Do not use unknown ear drops: If your eardrum is perforated, this may cause infection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Can Earwax Recur?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
              \n
            • People with narrow ear canals or excessive wax production may experience recurring buildup.<\/li>\n
            • Some individuals may need periodic professional cleaning (every 6 to 12 months).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

              Earwax is a natural protective mechanism. However, when it builds up, it may cause hearing loss and discomfort. It is recommended to have it removed professionally without damaging the ear canal.<\/p>\n

              Prof. Dr. Elif Aksoy<\/strong>
              \nENT Specialist \u2013 Ear Cleaning and Hearing Health<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Earwax (Cerumen Impaction): What Is It, Why Does It Form, and How Is It Cleaned? What Is Earwax (Cerumen)? Earwax, or cerumen in medical terms, is a natural substance formed by the accumulation of secretions in the external ear canal. It does not mean the ear is dirty; on the contrary, it serves as a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ear-diseases","category-ent-diseases-and-treatment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=432"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":806,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/432\/revisions\/806"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.profdrelifaksoy.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}