Key Takeaways
-
Earwax helps protect and moisturize the ear canal and remove debris.
-
Using Q-tips can cause blockages or even eardrum damage.
-
Certain groups, including hearing aid users, are more prone to excessive wax and may need regular professional care.
Earwax, or cerumen, may not be glamorous, but it’s one of your body’s best defenses against infection and irritation. This waxy substance naturally forms in the ear canal and helps trap bacteria, dust, and even insects, keeping the inner ear clean and safe.
But like many things in the body, too much of a good thing can cause problems. When earwax builds up or is pushed too deep—often due to cotton swabs or hearing aid wear—it can lead to symptoms like muffled hearing, ringing, or pressure in the ear. Understanding the role of earwax and how to manage it can make a big difference in your overall ear health.
What Is Earwax?
Earwax is a natural mixture of oil, sweat, skin cells, and debris, produced by glands in the outer ear canal. It can vary in color and consistency depending on your genetics, health, and environment. Some people produce wet, sticky wax, while others have dry, flaky wax—both are normal. Learn more from this overview on what you need to know about earwax at Healthy Hearing.
Cerumen isn’t just waxy buildup. It’s antibacterial, antifungal, and moisturizing. The skin inside the ear canal is thin and fragile. Without a protective coating, it would dry out, crack, and become vulnerable to infection.
As earwax forms, it slowly moves from the inner canal toward the outer ear, carrying dust, skin flakes, and other trapped material along with it. This self-cleaning mechanism typically prevents buildup—unless something interferes.
Why Do We Have Earwax?
Protection and Self-Cleaning
Think of earwax as your ear’s own natural filter and security system. It captures tiny particles like dust, pollen, and bacteria before they can irritate or infect more sensitive areas deeper inside. Without earwax, you’d be far more prone to chronic ear infections and inflammation.
The ear canal has a built-in cleaning process. As your jaw moves—during chewing, speaking, or yawning—wax migrates outward. Most of it falls away unnoticed during sleep or while showering. If left alone, this process keeps your ears balanced and healthy.
Moisturization and pH Balance
Beyond protection, earwax also maintains moisture and acidity in the canal. This is especially important for older adults, whose ear canals may naturally produce less oil. According to the Mayo Clinic, cerumen helps keep the ear canal skin supple and acidic, creating an environment that’s hostile to pathogens.
Without this natural barrier, the canal could become dry, itchy, or even develop tiny fissures—openings that increase infection risk.
Signs of Earwax Buildup or Blockage
Although earwax is beneficial, problems arise when it accumulates or gets trapped. The most common cause? Well-meaning people trying to clean their ears with Q-tips or small objects, which end up pushing the wax deeper toward the eardrum.
Here are signs you may have a blockage:
-
Muffled or distorted hearing
-
A feeling of fullness or pressure in one or both ears
-
Sudden or unexplained coughing, due to stimulation of the vagus nerve
-
Ear pain or itching deep inside the canal
People who wear hearing aids, earbuds, or earplugs are especially at risk, since these can trap wax and block the canal from self-cleaning. If you use hearing devices, check out our guide on cleaning and maintenance tips, including when to change wax guards.
How to Safely Clean Your Ears
What to Avoid
Most earwax-related problems stem from over-cleaning or cleaning the wrong way. Cotton swabs, hairpins, and even fingers can push wax deeper into the ear, compacting it or scratching the skin. In some cases, this leads to painful impactions or even a ruptured eardrum.
Ear candling—a practice that involves placing a lit cone in your ear—has been thoroughly discredited. According to the FDA and the NIH, it is not effective and can cause serious injury, including burns or candle wax deposits in the ear.
Best Practices at Home
For the vast majority of people, the best cleaning strategy is… do very little. The ears are self-regulating. If you want to assist that process:
-
Let warm water from your shower run over your outer ears, then gently towel them dry.
-
Use a soft washcloth to wipe the outer ear and behind the ears.
-
For occasional wax buildup, use over-the-counter drops with hydrogen peroxide or saline—but only if you’ve never had a perforated eardrum.
You can also take a free online hearing test if you’re noticing new symptoms and want to rule out hearing loss.
When to Get Professional Help
See a healthcare provider if:
-
You experience persistent fullness or hearing loss
-
There is discharge, bleeding, or significant pain
-
You’ve tried drops but symptoms persist
-
You wear hearing aids and are cleaning them more frequently due to buildup
Doctors may use irrigation, suction, or specialized tools to remove wax safely. It’s painless, fast, and much safer than DIY alternatives.
Who Is More Likely to Have Earwax Issues?
Some people produce more wax than others. You may be prone to buildup if you:
-
Are over 60 (wax becomes drier with age)
-
Have narrow, curved, or hairy ear canals
-
Experience chronic ear infections or skin conditions like eczema
-
Have diabetes, which affects cerumen pH and immunity
You may also be a “wax super-producer” due to stress or genetics. According to this overview on cerumen differences, ethnicity plays a role too: wet-type wax is more common in African and European populations, while dry-type is more common in Asian and Indigenous populations.
Earwax and Hearing Aids
Hearing aids and earwax have a complicated relationship. On one hand, hearing aids can stimulate more earwax production due to the friction and warmth they create in the ear canal. On the other, wax can clog microphones and speakers, leading to distorted sound or device failure.
Maintenance Tips:
-
Use wax guards and replace them every 3–4 weeks, or sooner if blocked.
-
Gently clean devices with a soft, dry cloth and tool kit after daily use.
-
Store devices in a dry place, especially if you perspire heavily or live in humid climates.
If you notice muffled sound, distortion, or frequent repairs, wax buildup may be the reason. It’s a good idea to have your provider check your ears during routine maintenance visits. For more support, visit our page on hearing aids and earwax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to clean earwax with a Q-tip?
No. Q-tips can push wax deeper, cause impaction, or even puncture the eardrum. The ear is self-cleaning and should only be cleaned externally.
What color should healthy earwax be?
Healthy earwax can be light yellow, orange, or even brown. Color varies based on age, environment, and genetics. Darker wax usually means it’s older, not necessarily unhealthy.
Can earwax cause temporary hearing loss?
Yes. Impacted wax can block the ear canal and prevent sound from reaching the eardrum. Once removed, hearing typically returns to normal.
How often should I clean my ears?
For most people, never. If wax builds up or becomes visible at the ear opening, wiping gently with a cloth is sufficient. Over-cleaning can actually make the problem worse.
Should hearing aid users be more proactive about earwax?
Yes. Hearing aids can trap wax and increase buildup. Regular cleaning of both the device and the ears, along with wax guard use, is essential to maintain performance.
