Is your hearing impaired due to earwax buildup? (Earwax Buildup) Let's find out more about this.

Have you ever had a sudden feeling of tightness in your ear, a loss of hearing, and perhaps a slight ache? When that happens, most of us reach for a cotton bud. It's normal to think, "My ear is probably full of dirt, I need to clean it out." But today we're going to talk about what earwax is, why it gets filled up, and whether a cotton bud is as good a friend as we think.

What exactly is earwax?

Simply put, earwax is a substance naturally produced by glands inside our ears. Although scientists are still not 100% sure, one of the main functions of this earwax is to protect our ears. Think of it like a natural 'guardian' that stops things like dust and small insects from entering our ears and damaging them.

Usually, this dirt dries out and falls out of the ear along with the dust. The amount, color, and thickness of dirt in everyone's ears are determined genetically, as are our hair color, height, and genes. Therefore, it is normal for some people to have more dirt in their ears. Also, if the ear canal of some people is a little narrow or has a different shape, it may be difficult for this naturally formed dirt to get out. This is what we call 'Earwax Buildup' or 'Earwax Impaction'.

What are the signs that you have earwax?

If your ear is full of dirt, you may experience a variety of discomforts. However, some symptoms may indicate that the condition is more serious, and may even indicate an infection. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.

Do you need to see a doctor?

Yes. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is best to see your doctor and have your ear examined before trying any home treatments . This is because there are other conditions that can cause the same symptoms. Therefore, it is very important to make sure that earwax is the cause.

Why does earwax get stuck like this?

The main and most common reason for earwax getting stuck is the wrong things we do when cleaning our ears.

• The main culprit: Cotton Buds: Imagine you're cleaning your ear with a cotton bud after a shower. What happens is that some of the dirt on the surface gets stuck in the cotton bud, while the rest of the dirt gets pushed deeper into the ear canal. It's like putting butter in a gun and cleaning it. If you keep doing this, the dirt gets pushed in and gets stuck near the eardrum. Putting things like bobby pins and rolled-up napkins in your ear is just as dangerous.
• Other reasons: People who frequently use hearing aids and earplugs are also more prone to earwax buildup because these devices naturally block the passage of earwax.

Medical treatment and things you can do at home

When you go to the doctor, he will ask you about your symptoms and examine the inside of your ear with a small instrument called an otoscope. This will help you determine if your ear is full of wax or if there is a problem like a perforated eardrum.

The doctor's treatment

Doctors use several methods to remove earwax.

• Curette:You can scrape out the dirt with a small plastic spoon-like device (curette).
• Irrigation: Warm water, sodium bicarbonate solution, or other medication can be placed in the ear to rinse out the debris.
• Suction: You can also use a gentle suction method to suck out the dirt.

Things you can do at home (only on medical advice!)

Very important: You should only try these things at home under the advice of your doctor if you don't have a hole in your eardrum or a tube in it.

1. Soften the wax: Put a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, or over-the-counter ear drops in your ear for a few days. This will help soften the wax and allow it to come out on its own.

2. Ear irrigation: After softening the dirt, you can use a bulb-type syringe to very slowly irrigate the ear with water that is about body temperature. Be careful if the water is too cold or too hot, as it can cause dizziness.

3. What not to do - Ear Candling: This is a dangerous myth . It involves placing a hollow cone made of wax in the ear and lighting the other end on fire. This is said to create a vacuum and draw out the dirt. However, research has proven that this does not happen, the dirt does not come out, and it can cause serious burns to the ear and face . So, never try this.

What can happen if you dispose of garbage incorrectly?

If earwax is not removed properly, various complications can occur.

• Perforated eardrum
• Middle-ear infection
• External-ear infection / Swimmer's ear
• Permanent hearing loss due to acoustic trauma caused by improper methods

That's why we say, when you have an ear problem, don't experiment and see a doctor.