What is Ear Wax, Is it Necessary?
It may be hard to believe that ear wax can affect your health, but
this light brown, orange, or yellow substance plays an important role in
protecting your inner ear from bacteria and keeping you infection-free. In this
post, we’re addressing these commonly asked questions about ear wax:
·
What is ear wax?
·
Why is ear wax necessary?
·
How do I safely clean my
ears?
·
Can you have too much ear
wax?
Keep reading below to
learn more about ear wax and your ear health.
What is ear wax?
Ear wax, also called
cerumen, is a naturally-occurring substance that contains sweat, dead skin
cells, and oil produced by apocrine glands in your ear canal. Everyone has ear
wax, but the amount, color, and type may differ because of genetic characteristics,
environmental factors, age, and diet.
Why is ear wax necessary?
Although scientists still
don’t fully understand ear wax, we know it is beneficial to our health. Ear wax
is a natural barrier in the outer ear that helps keep dirt and bacteria away
from the inner ear. It also acts as a moisturizer and protective coat for your
ear canal to help prevent itchiness or flakiness of the ear, two common
problems that can lead to infections.
How do I safely clean my ears?
With a healthy diet, good hygiene, and regular jaw movement from chewing or talking, your ears will naturally get rid of any excess ear wax or debris without intervention. In cases of excess ear wax, contact your doctor or audiologist for ear cleaning austin.
There are a few simple
things you can do on a regular basis to help ensure your ears stay clean and
free of debris, including:
·
Wash the outer part of
your ears gently with a warm, soapy washcloth
·
Do not use cotton swabs,
hairpins, or other sharp materials to try to remove wax yourself as they can
push the wax even deeper into your ear canal or, in extreme cases, puncture
your ear canal or eardrum
·
Schedule regular hearing
exams by a trained hearing healthcare provider for ear wax removal austin.
Can you have too much ear wax?
In most cases, your body
will naturally produce the amount of ear wax needed to maintain healthy ear
health. However, some people may experience excess wax due to genetic
characteristics or other health factors. People who use hearing aids or
earplugs frequently are also more prone to ear wax blockage.
Some symptoms of ear wax
blockage include:
·
Dizziness
·
Ear pain
·
Ringing or muffled sound
in the ear
·
Itching or drainage from
the ear
Seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms or notice changes in balance. Your doctor for ear wax removal audiologist austin can examine your ears and safely remove the buildup. For people prone to excess ear wax, scheduling regular appointments every six months to a year can help keep symptoms at bay.
While ear wax may not be something you usually think about, this natural substance helps keep your ears healthy and safe from harmful bacteria or debris. While there is very little maintenance customarily required to keep ear wax in check, be sure to check in with your doctor for ear cleaning austin if you experience excessive amounts of wax or hearing loss symptoms.
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