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What Causes Excess Ear Wax?

Earwax, which is also referred to as cerumen, is a naturally occurring substance but can look unsightly or cause itching, tinnitus or temporary hearing loss when it accumulates to excessive amounts. Fortunately, most of the causes of excessive earwax result from personal behaviors or ear disorders that are preventable or treatable with lifestyle changes and medical care.

  1. Improper Cleaning

    • Improper or too frequent cleaning of the ear canal can lead to excessive earwax or earwax blockages. Using a cotton swab to clean the ears can push earwax further back into the canal, leading to even more earwax in the canal, which can become impacted. Using other devices, such as a bobby pin, rolled up tissue or paper or an ear candle to clean inside of the ears can also lead to excessive earwax buildup in the ear canal, as these objects simply push the earwax further away from the opening of the ear and inhibit its natural ability to flake off and fall out of the ear. Improperly using ear irrigation solutions could also result in excessive earwax due to increased irritation inside of the ear canal.

    Ear Disorders

    • Overactivity of the hair follicles and oil producing glands in the ear canal can result in an excess of earwax. People who are heavily exposed to airborne particles of dust and dirt might also develop excessive earwax. People who wear assistive hearing devices inside of the ear canal might produce excessive earwax as a result of the body protecting against the foreign object (the hearing aid) inside of the ear canal. Bacteria, fungi and viruses can enter the ear canal and cause ear infections; the body often produces excessive earwax to trap these microorganisms and prevent infections.

    Personal Habits

    • Lifestyle behaviors such as wearing ear buds pushed too deeply within the ears could cause excessive earwax or impact the existing earwax in the ear canal, leading to an earwax blockage. Sticking objects into the ears is sometimes a behavior of young children, and lodged objects could result in excessive earwax accumulation inside of the ear canal. Similarly, adults might have a habit of using earplugs to protect ears from loud noise or while sleeping; these can also result in excessive earwax accumulation or earwax blockage in the ear canal.

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