.jpg)
Ear Wax Dos and Don'ts
‘Nothing smaller than your elbow goes in your ear!’
How to Best Keep your Ears Healthy
Understanding the Self-Cleaning Mechanism of Your Ears​
Many people may not know this, but our ears are designed to clean themselves. It's a natural process that continually helps to keep our ears healthy. As our skin cells grow and die, they move from the eardrum to the ear opening, facilitating the migration process of the ear canal. This process is essential for maintaining ear health and preventing the build-up of harmful substances.
​​
Why You Should Avoid Self-Cleaning Your Ears
Despite our ears' self-cleaning ability, some people may feel the need to clean their ears themselves, which can be harmful. This practice can lead to cerumen impaction, a condition where earwax blocks the ear canal. The act of self-cleaning can push the wax deeper into the ear, causing blockage and potentially leading to pain, hearing loss, ringing in the ear, or even an ear infection.
​
Reasons Some People are Prone to Ear Wax Build-Up
It's important to note that some individuals may be more prone to ear wax build-up due to their anatomy or frequent usage of earplugs or earphones. These factors can interfere with the natural migration process, causing wax build-up that requires professional intervention for removal.
​
The Significance of Professional Ear Cleaning
For those prone to ear wax build-up, professional ear cleaning, such as the services offered at an ear suction clinic or through ear wax removal in Perth, is crucial. These services involve safe, effective methods of removing excess wax without causing harm to the ear. Remember, you should never attempt to remove ear wax by yourself, as this can lead to serious complications.
What is the best way to clean your ears?
This is one of the most common questions we are asked. Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural protectant and should be left alone to move out of your ear through the self-cleaning mechanism of the ear canal. But when ear wax accumulates to a stage that it causes issues such as; a blocked feeling in your ears, itchy ears, problems hearing, whistling hearing aids or tinnitus, then you may require removal of the ear wax manually. Book an appointment to see one of our Clinical Audiologists if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
For the majority of the population, the ears are self-cleaning and don't require professional ear cleaning. Ear wax produced by the ear canal protects the ear by trapping dust and other small particles, and also has antibacterial properties. The ear wax naturally moves from the eardrum to the ear opening, where it dries and falls out.
But in some cases wax can accumulate and become impacted, and will require professional ear cleaning. Those with a family history of ear wax build-up can inherit an overproduction of ear wax or ear anatomy that is not conducive to self cleaning. Some people are born with narrowed ear canals or a sharp bend in the canal, which prevents the natural migration of ear wax, which becomes trapped and needs to be manually removed. Unfortunately there is not much you can do to change your anatomy, and in these cases prevention and maintenance is recommended (plus sending your parents the invoice for the consultation!).
​
The prevalence of ear wax impaction in the population varies depending on age, race, and occupation. According to some studies, approximately 6 to 10 per cent of adults experience ear wax impaction. The likelihood is much higher in older adults, with estimates that between 14 to 29 per cent of adults over the age of 65 are impacted by ear wax blockages.
Some studies have reported that ear wax impaction is more common in certain ethnic groups, with higher rates reported in Asians, Africans, and African Americans.
Those who work in mining and construction may have a higher risk of ear wax blockage due to exposure to dust and other irritants, while those with conditions including Down's syndrome, eczema and psoriasis are also known to have increased levels of impaction.
Anecdotally, the growing use of in-ear headphones and ear plugs is also contributing to ear wax issues in the wider population. This is why we recommend our patients consider using over the ear headphones, instead of in-ear, to avoid the ear wax from compacting and needing to be removed in the future. For those that are severely prone to ear wax build up, Bone Conduction headphones that don’t sit in the ear canal are now readily available and affordable.
​
​
​
​
The prevalence of ear wax impaction is likely vastly under reported, as many people may not seek medical attention or attempt to resolve the issue themselves - which can cause further damage. The frequency at which people require ear cleaning and ear wax removal depends on individual needs and circumstances but in general, it’s recommended that healthy adults only need to have their ears cleaned if they experience symptoms of ear wax impaction, such as hearing loss, aural fullness, ear pain, or ringing in the ears.
Those with a history of ear wax impaction, and those with a hearing aid or who wear earplugs, may need to have their ears cleaned every six to 12 months.
Patients are highly discouraged to attempt to remove ear wax themselves - with cotton swabs, hairpins or other objects, which can all push the wax further into the ear and cause damage to the eardrum. Those who suspect they have ear wax impaction should seek professional help and avoid DIY ear wax removal or home remedies.
