Typically, ear wax performs a number of important and useful functions. However, it can also clog the ear canal. If this is the case, one speaks of an earwax plug. An earwax plug can arise if either too much earwax is formed or the natural transport of the earwax out of the ear canal is no longer sufficient. Another reason can be incorrect cleaning of the ear canal. An earwax plug is usually noticeable through a hearing loss on the affected side. However, other symptoms can often also occur. An earwax plug is usually harmless and easy to remove.
Learn more about: Acute hearing loss
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In order for an earwax plug to form, more earwax has to be reproduced than can be transported away. This causes the wax to build up in the ear canal, causing it to become blocked. In most cases, the causes for the formation of an earwax plug cannot be clearly identified. Ear wax is formed by surrounding sweat glands. Therefore, in situations in which the body sweats more, more ear wax is excreted. This can also be the case with stress over a longer period of time.
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The reasons for an incorrect removal of the ear wax can also be varied. Presumably the movement of the nearby temporomandibular joint pushes the wax out of the ear canal. If this is restricted, ear wax can accumulate. However, incorrectly cleaning the ear with cotton swabs is often the cause of an ear wax plug. If you use cotton swabs to remove the wax, you can easily push some of the wax back into the ear canal. There it condenses. If cotton swabs are regularly inserted into the ear, this leads to an earwax plug deep in the ear canal. This is one of the reasons why cotton swabs should no longer be used to clean the ears. Regular wearing of earplugs or headphones can also be a cause.
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An earwax plug is easy to diagnose. Usually a doctor is consulted because of a hearing loss on the affected side. Normally, after describing the symptoms, this person looks first into the ear that is affected by the hearing loss. To do this, he uses an ear funnel or an otoscope. The otoscope is an illuminated funnel on a handle. The tip of the otoscope is pushed into the ear canal. This enables the doctor to see better into the auditory canal that has now been widened and illuminated by the otoscope. This is not painful. If there is an ear wax plug, it is now visible to the doctor in the depth of the ear canal.
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Hearing loss is often not the only symptom of an earwax plug. Most of those affected complain of additional symptoms on the affected side. For example, the affected ear may itch or feel full. It can even be painful. The affected ear may beep or whistle, known as tinnitus. Even if the organ of equilibrium is located in the area of the inner ear, i.e. remains relatively unaffected by the actual earwax plug, dizziness or vertigo is often reported.
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Parts of the external auditory canal are innervated by what is known as the vagus nerve. This nerve has a number of other diverse functions. Among other things, it supplies most of the human internal organs and influences the heart rate. The vagus nerve can be irritated, especially when removing an ear wax plug. In this case, nausea, coughing or even a sudden slowdown in heart rate can be expected, which can even lead to unconsciousness. However, this rarely occurs. Very young people are particularly affected.
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The safest and best way to remove an earwax plug is to see a doctor. This is especially recommended for more severe symptoms. The doctor can rinse out the wax plug with warm water. In stubborn cases, he may resort to ear drops or even so-called ear curettes. This is a fine tool that the doctor can use to remove the wax plug. However, due to the risk of injury, this should only be carried out by qualified personnel. Normally, an ear wax plug is removed under sight. To do this, the doctor uses a so-called ear microscope, for example. It is safe and easy for a doctor to remove an earwax plug.
Nevertheless, even the layman can recognize and treat an earwax plug. In many cases, it can be sufficient to rinse the affected ear with warm water. This should correspond to the body temperature. Water that is too warm or too cold can irritate the nearby balance organ and the associated nerves. This can lead to dizziness. It is sufficient to gently rinse the ear with lukewarm water. This is made easier by using an ordinary syringe that can be bought in a pharmacy. Especially when a second person is present, they can use this to loosen the wax plug in a targeted manner. In stubborn cases, ear drops or a fatty liquid such as olive oil or glycerin can be used. These are intended to soften the earwax so that the earwax plug can be removed more easily. Some companies also offer special devices with which the ear wax can be suctioned off. However, the use of these devices seems to be rather ineffective in comparison. The use of cotton swabs is not recommended. The same applies to so-called ear candles. These are insufficient in their effect and possibly even dangerous, especially if used improperly.
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The simplest home remedy for wax plugs is lukewarm water. Thorough and regular ear irrigation prevents and can even loosen earwax plugs. A thorough cleaning of the ears also includes washing the auricle. This can be done, for example, with a damp cloth.
The use of high-quality oils, such as almond oil, is often advised to dissolve an ear wax plug. Ear wax is a fatty substance and therefore dissolves well in an oily liquid. The oil is put into the affected ear and washed out again after a while. Baby oil or certain skin oils can also work. All substances placed in the ear should be warmed to body temperature beforehand. Otherwise dizziness could occur.
The essential oils of an onion or garlic clove may also be used to loosen ear wax. To do this, the core of an onion is carefully placed in the opening of the ear canal. The onion's essential oils should then act on the ear wax so that it dissolves more easily. In no case should the bulb be pushed deeply and with force into the ear canal. This can cause injuries and block the opening in the ear canal for the wax to drain away, which can make the problem worse. In addition, there are probably more comfortable and better-working remedies.
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As a fatty substance, ear wax can probably dissolve well in oils such as olive oil. However, it is questionable whether the cleansing effect of olive oil is greater than that of lukewarm water. It is often advised to mix olive oil with citric acid. This is said to increase the cleansing effect of the olive oil. As a mixing ratio, it is often advisable to mix one part of olive oil with an equal part of citric acid. The exposure time should be about five minutes.
It should be noted that regular washing of the ears is usually not necessary as they clean themselves. In addition, the skin of the ear canal may be sensitive to regular cleaning with various substances.
Otowaxol® is a special ear cleaning agent. It is introduced into the ear canal with the help of the syringe that is usually included, where it is supposed to act on and loosen the ear wax. Then the ear can be cleaned with warm water and the syringe that is usually included. In addition to purified water, Otowaxol® contains the alcohols ethanol and glycerol. Docusate sodium was also added. All of these substances are supposed to be fat-soluble and so soften the greasy ear wax. Ear drops such as Otowaxol® should not be used, especially if the eardrum is damaged.In addition, children's ears are often more sensitive, which is why the use of ear drops could be harmful here.
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