WHAT IS EAR WAX?
Ear wax is produced naturally by tiny glands in the ear canal, and normally forms a thin film as part of the ear’s natural cleaning system. Ear wax is important for keeping our ears healthy and clean, protecting against infection.
HOW DOES IT BECOME A PROBLEM?
Excess ear wax is normally lost from the ear almost unnoticed, for example when sleeping or towelling our hair. Problems arise when the ear produces too much wax, which can build-up and harden in the ear.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Build-up or hardening of ear wax can make our ears feel blocked and uncomfortable. It can sometimes cause difficulty in hearing. In severe cases, the ear canal can become painful, with temporary hearing loss, dizziness and loss of balance as a result. When this occurs, the ear may need syringing by a medical professional.
WHO SUFFERS?
Anyone can suffer from problematic ear wax, but it’s more common among people aged 40+. The good news is that it’s usually simple and painless to treat, and is certainly nothing to worry about.
THINGS TO AVOID
When ears feel waxy or blocked, there is a temptation to reach for cotton buds but this should be resisted; they will only make the condition worse by impacting and pushing the wax further in. Using cotton buds may also cause serious damage to the ear.
