It is needed for proper hydration of the skin of the ear canal and its protection against small insects. Earwax is often a source of hearing problems, especially in the elderly. How to deal with an ear plugged by earwax?
Earwax is a natural secretion that moisturizes and protects the delicate skin inside the ear canal. It is produced by the glands present in it. It is a mixture of secretions of the endophage glands (very short hairs may grow up inside the cord), sebaceous glands and exfoliated epidermis. Chemically, earwax consists of glycopeptides, lipids, hyaluronic acid and sialic acid, lysosomal enzymes and immunoglobulins.
How much wax is formed in the ear depends on many factors. Its production is increased by the influence of noise, the use of intrathecal headphones, as well as during the aging of the body. In children, earwax is usually soft, but with age it becomes drier and easier to clog with wax plugs.
Wave of a drum
How is it that we hear something? The sound waves propagating in the air go to the external auditory canal, which ends with a flexible eardrum. This element transmits vibrations through the ossicles to the fluid environment that fills the inner ear. In it there are nerve endings, which are sensitive to sound waves.
There are many reasons that can lead to weakness and damage to your hearing. These include congenital malformations, hearing disorders, drug-induced damage or accidents. However, one of the most common causes of hearing disorder is clogging of the auditory canal through the hollow ear wax. It is estimated that this problem accounts for about ten percent of the causes of visits during the ENT.
Plug
Ear plugging often occurs during bathing when earwax swells. Another reason for the formation of congestion is poor ear hygiene, especially the cleaning of their inner part using sticks ended with a cotton swab. With this method, it is easy to stuff the earwax and plug the ear.
In older people, up to one-third of hearing impairments may have their source in the occurrence of a wax plug. This is mainly due to changes that occur in the chemical composition and consistency of wax. This persistent embolism may be the reason for the development of chronic inflammation in the middle ear and worsening of hearing.
In patients who have undergone radiotherapy around the head, an ear wax-epidermis can form in the ear. It forms when the epidermis begins to grow to hardened wax. For its removal it is necessary to visit a doctor who will pull it out using a special hook or a mammal. This procedure is associated with a high probability of injury to the delicate skin of the auditory canal and the need to use drops prescribed by the laryngologist.
How to unclog your ear?
What to do when the ear has been plugged through the wax plug? First of all, you should not try to remove earwax using different spatulas or other metal tools. In this way, it is easy to hurt the skin of the auditory canal and the eardrum. Tampering with such tools can also lead to blockage of the embolism up to the eardrum, which can also contribute to its damage.
The ear can be cleaned using home-made special kits. However, if we can not remove the wax plug in this way, please consult your doctor. Typically, the procedure starts with the doctor's ear being rinsed with warm water from a large syringe. If this does not work, the doctor will use a crochet hook to remove the metal tool.
In order to prevent ear wax from clogging frequently, it is important to remember about proper hygiene. Hygienic sticks should be used only to clean the ear mucus, and when the water gets into the ear while bathing - let it float freely without helping yourself with a stick or a towel.
Based:
R.Gwinner, J. Matlak,Earwax as a therapeutic problem. Pharmaceutical Scientific Review No. 4/2007 pp. 15-20
