Got an Ear Full?

Why earwax – or cerumen – is nature’s defence

Earwax, also known around the medical tracks as cerumen, is part of our body’s natural defences. Secreted by glands in our ear canals, it cleans and protects by trapping invading dirt and dust and preventing the growth of bacteria.

Thanks in part to the motions of chewing and talking, older cerumen makes its way out of the ear, where it falls out or washes away, bringing germs and other foreign particles with it and making room for the fresh wax that’s been created.

Normally, proper wax management boils down to letting this process happen naturally. If wax is visible on your outer ear, you can gently clean it with a cloth.

However, you shouldn’t try to remove it from the inside. Don’t be tempted by cotton swabs, since “putting anything in the ear risks, at best, pushing the wax back in or, at worst, damaging delicate skin,” says Dr Shakeel Saeed, a professor of otology and neuro-otology. You could even perforate your eardrum.

Your ear canal may become obstructed by wax if the glands in your ears produce an excessive amount, if your body can’t manage to clear it out effectively or if you jam it in further during a misguided cleaning attempt. Symptoms of blockage can include earache, tinnitus, decreased hearing, dizziness or even coughing, since the build-up can push against nerves and trigger the cough reflex.

But, it may not be cerumen that’s causing your symptoms. It could be an infection, age-related hearing loss, an injury from pressure changes, or one of many other problems. Check with your GP, who may recommend using earwax softening drops.