What Causes Ear Wax

For most of us, ear wax is nothing more but a dirty yellowish sticky substance that we try to get rid of as soon as possible to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene. However, this yellowish waxy substance is produced by the wax gland to serve an important purpose. The exact medical term for ear wax is cerumen. There are mainly two types of ear wax, dry cerumen and wet cerumen. Dry cerumen is usually gray and flaky, while the wet type is moist and yellowish or dark brown in color. The dry type of cerumen is usually found in East Asians and the Native American population, while Caucasians and Africans are more likely to have the wet type of ear wax.

Functions of Ear Wax
Ear wax is produced by the wax glands, known as ceruminous glands, of the ear canal in many mammals including humans. These glands produce a watery substance that acts as a lubricating agent. Ear wax is also known to have antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. The main function of ear wax is to protect the inner parts of the ear from dust, dirt, insects and harmful microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. This sticky substance traps these particles and thereby prevents them from entering deeper into the ear canal and ear drum. As a lubricating agent, it protects the inner skin of the ear canal from infection and irritation. Now, let's have a look at what causes ear wax or how does ear wax build up inside our ear.

What Causes Ear Wax?
Ear wax engulfs all the foreign particles and comes out through the ear canal. The tiny hairs that line the ear canal, facilitate its movement. However, in many instances, ear wax fails to come out of the ear canal on its own and leads to an ear wax buildup, also called impacted ear wax. Though it can happen to individuals belonging to any age group, it is more commonly found in older individuals. There can be several reasons behind the build up of excess ear wax inside the ear canal. Sometimes, it can be caused by the habit of using a cotton swab, hair grip or fingers for cleaning the ear. Putting such things into the ear can push the ear wax deeper into the ear canal and cause impaction.

One can also experience impacted ear wax, when the ear fails to perform its regular functions. Excessive hair in the ear canal can be another possible cause of ear wax impaction. Sometimes, if an excessive amount of dust and dirt enter our ear, they can cause ear wax to build up. Abnormalities in the structure of the ear canal, such as a narrow canal or a canal which is at such an angle that the ear wax cannot come out naturally, can also lead to the accumulation of excess wax inside the ear canal. It has been observed that people who use hearing aids and ear plugs are more likely to experience buildup of ear wax.

The common symptoms of ear wax buildup are pain in the ear as well as a sensation of fullness and a ringing in the ear. Eventually, hearing is hampered due to the blockage of the ear canal. To remove such impacted ear wax, one should immediately consult a physician as it can cause ear problems like temporary loss of hearing. Besides this, it is also important to keep in mind that cotton swabs or hair grips should never be used for removing ear wax from inside the ear canal.