Why is sulfur needed and how does a traffic jam form?
Earwax is a mixture of secretions from the sulfur and sebaceous glands, exfoliated skin cells and dust. It moisturizes the skin of the ear canal, traps particles and has protective properties. The skin of the ear canal gradually moves outward, taking wax with it, so the ears usually do not need deep cleaning. A blockage forms when wax builds up faster than it can be removed, or it is constantly compacted. It can be soft and light or dense, dark and dry - the latter is more difficult to remove.
- Soft paste plug
- Tight dry plug
- Epidermal plug - made from desquamated skin cells
- Partial - there may be no complaints
- Complete—severe hearing loss
Causes and risk factors
The main cause that can be eliminated is improper hygiene. Cotton swabs remove wax only at the entrance, and push the main part deeper, towards the eardrum. Contributors to the formation of plugs are a narrow or crooked ear canal, excessive hair growth in the ear, increased production of wax, and dry skin. Hearing aids, earbuds, and earplugs interfere with the natural removal of wax. In older people, sulfur becomes drier and denser. Working in dusty areas also accelerates the formation of traffic jams.
- Cleaning ears with cotton swabs and matches
- Narrow or tortuous ear canal
- Hearing aids, earplugs, in-ear headphones
- Old age
- Skin diseases - eczema, dermatitis
- Dusty working conditions
Symptoms
As long as there is a gap between the plug and the wall of the ear canal, there may be no complaints. As soon as the passage is completely closed, a feeling of congestion and decreased hearing in one ear appear. Often this happens suddenly after a shower, swimming or swimming, when the sulfur swells from the water. The person may hear their own voice louder than usual or experience a buzzing or itching sensation in the ear. If a dense plug puts pressure on the eardrum, slight dizziness, coughing due to irritation of nerve endings, and discomfort are possible.
- Ear congestion
- Hearing loss in one or both ears
- The booming sound of your own voice
- Noise or ringing in the ear
- Itching and foreign body sensation
- Sometimes - slight dizziness and reflex cough
Diagnostics
The diagnosis is made by examining the ear using an otoscope or endoscope: the doctor sees the accumulation of wax and assesses how much it blocks the passage. It is important to find out whether there has been a perforation of the eardrum, ear surgery, frequent otitis media, or diabetes mellitus - the method of removal depends on this. After removing the plug, the doctor examines the eardrum. If hearing has not been fully restored, audiometry is prescribed to rule out other causes of hearing loss.
- Otoscopy or endoscopy of the ear
- Clarification of the history of perforations, operations and otitis media
- Inspection of the eardrum after removal
- Audiometry for persistent hearing loss
- Tympanometry according to indications
Removal and prevention
The doctor removes the soft plug by rinsing with warm water from a Janet syringe or a special system. The dense cork is pre-softened with drops for several days. If washing is contraindicated - in case of perforation of the membrane, after ear surgery, in acute otitis - wax is removed by aspiration or microinstruments under visual control. You cannot remove the plug yourself using sticks, pins, and especially ear candles: this leads to injury to the ear canal and membrane. For prevention, it is enough to wash the auricle and the entrance to the ear canal.
- Softening drops as recommended by a doctor
- Flushing the ear canal
- Aspiration and removal with instruments under visual control
- Refusal of cotton swabs and ear candles
- Preventive examination by an ENT doctor if you are prone to traffic jams
- Regular cleaning of hearing aid earmolds
