Is ear wax really bad for you?

By Amanda Barbur, Doctor of Audiology; Amanda’s Family Hearing

People usually consider ear wax to be an icky, unsightly bodily secretion they are quick to get rid of.

In reality, this protective, hardworking unsung hero serves several beneficial functions to your ears. It traps stray dirt, dust and debris from entering your ear canal. The anti-microbial chemical composition of ear wax is slightly acidic, so not only does it inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria, but it also repels bugs from flying into your ear, as the scent is unpleasant to them.

With so much going for it, in general, we recommend people stop worrying about removing ear wax and leave it where it’s supposed to be.

For the record, the proper way to clean your ears is with a warm, damp washcloth just around the outside of the ear.

Never clean the inside of your ears with a cotton swab. It’s a shock to us when a patient tells us he or she is still engaging in this dangerous practice. All it accomplishes is to push ear wax further into your ear, and you can damage the ultra-sensitive mechanisms by doing this.

Ear wax only becomes a problem if it becomes too dry or too wet or there’s too little or too much of it. Too little can cause dry, itchy ears and leave you more susceptible to infection, and too much can build up and create a symptom of hearing loss. Oftentimes we see patients who think they are suffering from hearing loss, then after we perform a cleaning, find out their hearing is fine.

If you think you have an excessive amount, come see us. As licensed doctors of audiology, we routinely perform cleanings and can make an evaluation as to whether ear wax is the issue or there are other medical conditions happening. Come hear with us.

Amanda’s Family Hearing is located at 1701 Mentor Avenue, Suite 5, in Painesville. Financing options are available. Call 440-357-4327 or visit AmandasFamilyHearing.com for more information.