(Almost) all you need to know about earwax

Of all the substances our bodies excrete, earwax has to be one of the most mysterious. What possible reason could our ears have for producing this waxy substance? Medical professionals may not yet completely understand all of its properties, but they are certain of its protective nature. To understand more, we’ve assembled some interesting facts about earwax—and why you shouldn’t be hasty to remove it.

What is earwax?

Earwax, known medically as cerumen, is a naturally occurring sticky substance in the outer ear. Earwax contains oil and sweat mixed with dirt and dead skin cells.

Why do people have earwax?

Earwax is natural and helpful

It’s hard to believe something so unappealing can be so important to your ears' good health, yet being sticky and smelly is exactly why a normal amount of ear wax is beneficial. Consider these attributes:

• Earwax is a natural barrier that prevents dirt and bacteria from entering the innermost parts of your ears. Because it is sticky, it collects microscopic debris that finds its way into your ear canal, much like fly paper traps insects. Without this defensive barrier, your inner ear would be at risk.
• It acts as a moisturizer and protective coating for your ear canal. Without earwax, your outer ear might be itchy and flaky, which puts it at greater risk for becoming irritated and infected.
• It acts as an insect repellent. The smell of earwax keeps bugs away, while the stickiness traps those that accidentally venture inside. (Yep, bugs and plenty of other things can get stuck inside your ear.)

Why cleaning your ear canals is not necessary

Many people think you're supposed to clean your ear canals regularly, using things like cotton swabs. But this is almost always unnecessary and may cause more harm than good.

"An overly clean ear can be an unhealthy ear," according to an in-depth article on the harms of earwax cleaning by researcher and hearing instrument specialist, Max Stanley Chartrand, PhD. Anytime someone tries to clean their ear by inserting a finger or small object into their ears, they risk wedging earwax back into the skin, where it can harden and become problematic, even affecting your hearing, he explains.

Hearing aids and earwax

Professionally fitted hearing aids come with wax guards to keep wax from accumulating in your device. They need to be changed out regularly, usually monthly. 

Also, it's important to clean your hearing aids daily. Always use a professional kit with tools made for your hearing aids, and not objects found around the home. Most kits come with a wax pick or wire loop for removing wax and debris.

If you suspect impacted earwax? Proceed with caution

Even though earwax has its benefits, blockages can occur, particularly if you tend to have dry, hard earwax. If you develop a sensation of stuffiness in your ears and suspect earwax is the culprit:

• Buy an over-the-counter ear cleaning kit if your ears are healthy. Ask a doctor for help if you have ear tubes (used to treat chronic middle ear infections) or if you have any ear pain. Earwax buildup is not painful.
• Do not clean ears with a cotton swab, hairpin or any sharp instrument in an attempt to remove wax yourself. This can push the wax deeper into the ear canal where it is unable to be sloughed off naturally, or you could even puncture your eardrum.
• Do not try ear candling. Besides having no proven benefits, ear candling can cause burns, wax blockage, punctured eardrums and serious injury. Instead, follow general rules for keeping ears clean (see below).
• Consider professional ear cleaning (in some cases): Some hearing care providers offer professional ear cleaning using tools like the Earigator. This is not necessary nor a good idea for most people, but it's easy for doctors to look in the ears using an otoscope to check for impacted earwax.

Signs you may have impacted earwax

Along with muffled hearing, an earwax impaction increases the volume of your own voice, so people with impacted earwax may speak very softly. The impaction also can also press upon the vagus nerve, triggering a chronic reflexive cough. Lastly, Chartrand explains, it can also make the eardrum spasm, leading to ringing in the ears that sounds like a roaring or buzzing sound.

Your earwax says a lot about you

Although most everyone’s ears produce earwax, that’s where the similarity ends. Its composition varies from person to person, depending on their ethnicity, environment, age and diet.

Two types of earwax

There are two primary types of earwax—wet and dry:

• Wet cerumen is more common in Caucasians and Africans
• Dry cerumen is more common among Native Americans, Pacific Islanders and Asians

Normal earwax colors

Even the color of your cerumen can say a lot about you:

• Dark brown or black colored earwax is typically older, so its color comes from the dirt and bacteria it has trapped. Adults tend to have darker, harder earwax.
• Dark brown earwax that is tinged with red may signal a bleeding injury.
• Light brown, orange or yellow earwax is healthy and normal. Children tend to have softer, lighter-colored earwax.
• White, flaky earwax indicates you lack a body-odor producing chemical. Dark-colored, sticky earwax indicates you should probably use deodorant.

Diabetes and earwax

Interestingly, the pH of earwax in people with diabetes tends to be less acidic, according to practice guidelines published by the American Association of Family Physicians. This makes it less protective against germs, meaning people with diabetes should take extra care with their ears because they are at higher risk of ear infections.

The more you remove, the more your body will make

When you make a habit of removing earwax, that sends a signal to your body to make more, creating an excess which can interfere with hearing, put you at greater risk for developing ear infections and other complications.

Earwax super-producers

Stress and fear can also accelerate earwax production. Others who have a tendency to produce too much earwax include those:

• with a lot of hair in their ear canals.
• who suffer from chronic ear infections.
• who have abnormally-formed ear canals or osteomata, which is extra bone tissue,
• who are elderly, have certain skin conditions or certain learning disabilities.

How to clean your ears

While your ears are self-cleaning, there are a few things you can do to keep them clean and free of excess debris:

• Wash your ears using a warm, soapy wash cloth. Letting warm water from your daily shower run over (but not in) your ears every so often is probably enough to soften and loosen excess earwax.
• If you wear hearing aids, make sure you clean them properly. 
• If you're older than 60, have your hearing evaluated periodically by a hearing healthcare professional. Ask your family physician for a referral, or search our online directory to find hearing clinics near you. Besides advising you on your hearing health, they will be able to detect excess cerumen and may safely remove it.
• See a doctor immediately if your home treatments don't help or if you experience sudden hearing loss, pain or bleeding.