Causes Of Ear Wax Build Up

Excess Ear Wax Causes

Excess ear wax causes a range of ear problems and can even lead to hearing loss.

What's the purpose of ear wax? Ear wax, of course, is the name given to a sticky substance that is secreted by the cerumen glands in the body. Even though excess ear wax causes irritation and embarrassment sometimes, normal amounts actually serve a useful purpose. Ear wax is the natural way for the body to protect the ear by guarding it from foreign objects, dirt and even small insects that might try to crawl in. It prevents potential pollutants from going deeper into the ear where they can cause serious damage. So ear wax is a good thing and why it's vital to hearing health.

In addition, excess ear wax causes a ringing in the ear sensation known as tinnitus along with other ear sounds and noises. These can be quite annoying and even interfere with your hearing. Ear wax accumulation can cause a tickling sensation in your throat that makes you want to cough. The reason for this is because the throat and the ear share the same nerves.

Whenever excess wax builds up to the point where it begins to cause problems, you need to have ear wax removed. You can find many ear wax removal products sold online or at your local grocery store or pharmacy. These can help you remove wax safely and cleanly. If you have had problems with your ears in the past, you may want to see a professional for this procedure. Always use caution when using swabs to clean the ear to avoid causing other problems and damage to the inner ear.

Causes of ear wax build up Sometimes the body will produce excess ear wax, which can lead to trouble. Most of the time though, excess ear wax builds up because it's not being removed in a timely manner. When too much ear wax accumulates and starts to harden it can interfere with your ability to hear. Compacted ear wax muffles sounds and over time if the wax hardens and becomes packed tightly in the ear canal. It can be very painful.

Also see ear candling for additional information.