How does earwax form in the ears?

How does earwax form in the ears?

Earwax, which we call cerumen, is something your ears naturally make. In the outer part of your ear canal, there are tiny glands that produce a soft, oily wax. This mixes with dead skin cells that naturally shed inside the ear, along with small bits of dust or debris from the environment.

As you talk, chew, and move your jaw, this wax slowly moves its way out toward the ear opening. For most people, it dries up and falls out on its own without you even noticing. So in many cases, earwax doesn’t need to be removed at all.

Earwax actually has an important job. It helps trap dust and bacteria before they travel deeper into the ear, and it keeps the ear canal moisturised so it doesn’t become dry or itchy.

It only becomes a problem when too much builds up or gets stuck. When that happens, you might feel blocked, notice reduced hearing, ringing in the ears, or some discomfort.

If that’s the case, having it safely removed by a qualified audiologist is the best and safest option.