Ear wax, also known as cerumen, is a natural secretion from the glands in the outer third of the external auditory canal. An average external auditory canal naturally cleans itself by allowing cerumen and other particles to move out of the ear canal with the help of jaw movement.
Excessive earwax can lead to various symptoms such as hearing loss, pain, itching, and a sensation of fullness, along with dizziness, ringing in the ears, and a reflex cough.

According to reports, the most common items used for self-ear cleaning include cotton buds, feathers, pen covers, broom sticks, match sticks, and fingers. Engaging in this habit disrupts the ear’s natural self-cleaning process. Self-cleaning your ears has been strongly discouraged by ear, nose, and throat specialists because of the known risks, such as injury, impacted earwax, infection, and cotton bud residue.

Wax build-up may lead to decreased hearing and a sensation of blockage.
When dealing with cerumen impaction, individuals have the option to consult their GP or audiologist for wax removal through methods like syringing, irrigation, or other safe procedures.
Patients have the option to buy wax-softening drops without a prescription to help soften the wax.