Often when you hear about ear wax it is in the context of having too much of it and needing to have it removed.
But ear wax actually serves a very important purpose for the health of our ears – even though some people can produce too much. The good news is that if you do have excess ear wax, it is easy and convenient to sort out with home visits for ear wax removal.
What is ear wax?
Ear wax isn’t actually wax at all – although its name comes from the fact that its consistency is similar to wax. It is actually a mixture of natural oils (sebum), dead skin, dust and hair that builds up in the ear canal.
Why do our bodies make ear wax?
When you have too much ear wax, you might wonder why your ears produce it at all. But ear wax in normal quantities plays a vital role in protecting your inner ear.
The sebum naturally produced by your skin is essential for ensuring that your inner ear doesn’t dry out. Meanwhile, it also provides a waterproof barrier, again to protect the sensitive inner ear.
In addition, ear wax prevents dust and dirt from getting into your ear or getting trapped in there – all of this is removed as your ear wax falls out, which is the natural process most people experience.
Your body also produces antibacterial and antifungal substances that it releases along with the sebum into your ear, again helping to protect this delicate part of your body. So, ear wax is a vital part of healthy ears.
Why does my body produce too much ear wax?
Many people suffer from ear wax build-up, which can make hearing more challenging. There are various reasons why this affects some people and not others.
Genetics play a role. As we get older our bodies seem to produce more ear wax too. Meanwhile those who wear hearing aids or ear buds a lot can experience ear wax build-up because the wax is unable to fall out in the normal way.
In addition, people with more ear hair are more likely to have issues with ear wax build-up than those who have less hairy ears.
