What Your Earwax Says About Your Hearing Health
Most people don’t even realize what earwax is for until it starts causing trouble to their hearing health. This natural substance is very important in making sure that the ears are protected and healthy.
The texture, color, and amount being produced allow one to understand what’s happening to their hearing health. Knowing the condition of earwax isn’t a reliable way to diagnose health completely, but it can help to warn when it’s time for a check-up.
Why Earwax Exists in the First Place
Earwax, also medically known as cerumen, doesn’t just have to be cleaned from the ears. It is a natural defense system for the ears. Earwax works by stopping dust, dirt, and any other particles from going deep into the ear and starting an infection. It also has substances that ensure bacteria and fungi won’t grow in the ears.
Even if there is earwax in every ear, it won’t be produced in the same way. Some ears make a lot of wax, while others make less. There are also soft and dry types depending on the person. This depends on the age, genetics, and environment of the person.
Color and Texture Clues
How long earwax has been in the ear will determine its color, whether it’s pale yellow or deep brown. Fresh earwax has a light and soft color, but when it’s been there for a long time, it becomes dark and hard. Some people from certain ethnic backgrounds have dry, flaky earwax, although it could also be a sign of dry skin.
If earwax is dark or almost black, it might seem scary, but this is simply because it’s been in the ear for a long time and has picked up a lot of debris. But when one notices blood or a greenish color on the wax, it could be a sign of an infection. That’s when a hearing health professional is needed.
When Earwax Affects Hearing
Earwax is supposed to protect the ears, but when there’s too much, it can be problematic. If it builds up in the ears and hardens, it stops sound from going through the ear canal. This will then lead to a muffled or reduced sense of hearing. People with a buildup of earwax notice that their ears always feel full, or they might have ringing in the ears.
Having too much earwax can be due to different reasons. Some people naturally have a lot of earwax, so they need to visit a professional often for cleaning. The best way is to avoid using cotton swabs to clean the ear because they can push wax even deeper, blocking the ears.
How Earwax Can Point to Other Ear Issues
The texture and smell of earwax can also be a sign of healthy and unhealthy ears. For instance, if the earwax is watery, it could mean an infection. But if there’s a foul smell coming from the earwax, it means there’s bacteria growing in the ear. The earwax could also be crumbly because the skin in the ears is dry and irritated.
Changes in earwax alone don’t mean a person has a medical illness, but they could be a sign of something worse. If the texture of earwax suddenly changes, it’s a good idea to have a hearing exam.
Caring for Earwax the Right Way
The ears are made to clean themselves. Usually, earwax works by moving to the outer ear and then getting washed off naturally. Due to this, cotton swabs and other objects shouldn’t be placed into the ear canal. This will only push the wax in deeper.
If there’s a lot of wax in the ear and the hearing health professional calls it unhealthy, they can provide cleaning. This reduces the chances of injuring the ears, ensuring that all the defenses are intact.
Listening to the Signs and Taking Action
One might think that earwax is not important, but it can be a major symptom of ear and hearing health issues. Pay attention to its appearance and other changes in hearing to identify potential problems on time.
A professional hearing test will determine whether earwax is causing changes in hearing or is a symptom of other health problems. So, pay attention to any changes and seek care when needed.