Earwax buildup, known as impacted earwax, occurs when earwax production exceeds the body's ability to remove it. This can be caused by conditions like swimmer's ear or ear canal injuries. Symptoms include diminished hearing, discomfort, earache, and dizziness. Diagnosis involves a health history, physical exam, and using an otoscope to look in the ear. Impacted earwax is usually treated by softening and loosening the wax with drops before removing it through irrigation or instrumentation with tools like a cerumen hook and scoop.
2. INTRODUCTION
• Ear Wax (Cerumen) is a natural protective oily
substance which is produced in the outer third of
the ear canal.
• Its function is to remove small foreign particles,
such as dust, from the canal.
• This is achieved by the ciliary hairs.
6. ETIOLOGY
Earwax build up happens when there is a formation of earwax
faster than the body can remove it. This can happen with
many health conditions, such as:
Bony blockage (osteoma or exostoses)
Infectious disease, such as swimmer’s ear (external otitis)
Skin disease (such as eczema)
Autoimmune disease (such as lupus)
Narrowed ear canal (from birth, chronic inflammation)
Injury.
7. SYMPTOMS
Diminished hearing : often sudden onset after “cleaning” the
ears
Discomfort : complain of pain unless the wax is pressing on
the drum
Tinnitus occasionally
Hearing loss
Earache
Sense of ear fullness
Itching in the ear
Dizziness
Reflex Cough : This occurs due to stimulation of auricular
branch of vagus