Ear wax serves an important purpose by protecting the delicate ear canal from damage and keeping dirt away from the inner ear. Occasionally, however, earwax can build up and create a blockage, resulting in mild discomfort, pain, dizziness, and even affecting our ability to hear clearly. Why does this happen, and what can we do about it?

Natural causes of ear wax build-up

If you have noticed a build-up of earwax, it may simply be because of your age or the amount of hair that you naturally have in your ears. It can also come about following an ear infection. Fortunately, ear infections often clear up on their own, but the NHS advises that you should visit your pharmacist or GP if the pain goes on for longer than three days

Other causes of ear wax build-up

One of the most common reasons for ear wax build-up is when we try to clean our ears ourselves. Using a cotton bud may seem like a good idea to clean inside the ear, but this area is very delicate and cleaning the area with a cotton bud can do more harm than good by pushing the wax further down into the ear canal and causing uncomfortable blockages. Luckily, ear wax removal Poole or elsewhere can quickly and painlessly resolve this problem. An audiology specialist such as www.earwax.co.uk/ear-wax-removal-near-me/poole/ can irrigate the ear canal, removing any build-up and restoring your hearing.

Another cause of ear wax build-up is the use of in-ear headphones or earbuds. While they are great for playing music or listening to a podcast, these small in-ear devices can stop wax from naturally leaving the ear, resulting in a blockage in the ear canal.

Looking after yourself

Surprisingly, stress can also affect our ears. When we experience stress on an ongoing basis, we produce more of a hormone called cortisol in our brain. This affects the body in many ways, including increased ear wax production. Taking time to relax, exercise, and drink plenty of water can assist with this.