Believe it or not, earwax buildup is often the cause of hearing loss!
Earwax — officially called cerumen — is key to a healthy ear. It collects dirt, debris and bacteria, preventing unwanted foreign bodies from entering the ear. It also has lubrication properties to keep the ears from getting dry and itchy. Finally, it acts as an antifungal and antibacterial, helping to fight infections in and around our ears.
But while earwax typically works its way out of the ear naturally as you shower or bathe, sometimes it doesn’t, and can cause blockage, hearing impairment and more.
Earwax Best Practices
Let us start by saying you should never clean the inside of your ear canal with cotton swabs. Not only can this damage your ear drum, it typically just impacts any earwax, making the problem worse. Other home or over-the-counter remedies don’t always work, either.
At Physicians Hearing Centers, we have the expertise needed to properly identify excess earwax and whether it’s causing hearing loss or not.
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