Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is a naturally occurring substance produced by glands within the ear canal. It serves several important functions: providing lubrication, protecting the delicate skin, and trapping dust, dirt, foreign particles, and microbes to prevent them from reaching the eardrum. It also contributes to the ear’s self-cleaning mechanism, as old earwax naturally moves outward.
How Earwax Changes with Age
As individuals age, earwax often undergoes observable changes. It tends to become drier and harder. This change can also lead to a darker appearance, from amber-orange in younger earwax to dark brown or black with age and debris accumulation. While overall production may not significantly increase, its drier, harder nature can lead to greater accumulation. This altered consistency makes the ear’s natural self-cleaning process less effective.
Why Earwax Changes as We Age
The changes in earwax with aging stem from physiological shifts within the ear canal. The ceruminous and sebaceous glands, which produce earwax components, experience reduced activity. This decline contributes to earwax becoming drier and more concentrated. Additionally, the skin lining the ear canal can thin, affecting its ability to facilitate earwax migration. Changes in the ear canal’s shape or elasticity can further impede the natural movement of earwax.
Issues from Age-Related Earwax Changes
The altered characteristics of earwax in older adults primarily lead to earwax impaction. This occurs when earwax builds up and blocks the ear canal, affecting approximately one in three older adults. Impaction can result in noticeable, often temporary, hearing loss, making sounds seem muffled. Other symptoms include a feeling of fullness or pressure, persistent itching, and discomfort. Impacted earwax may also contribute to ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and can cause dizziness or balance issues.
Addressing Age-Related Earwax Concerns
Managing age-related earwax changes often involves at-home care or professional intervention. For at-home softening, individuals can use a few drops of mineral oil, baby oil, glycerin, or hydrogen peroxide in the affected ear. These solutions help lubricate and soften the earwax, making it easier for it to move out naturally. After allowing the drops to work for a day or two, gently flushing the ear with warm water using a rubber-bulb syringe may assist in removal, provided the eardrum is intact.
Avoid inserting cotton swabs, hairpins, or any other objects into the ear canal. This can push earwax deeper and potentially cause injury or impaction.
If earwax buildup persists, causes significant symptoms like pain, discharge, or worsening hearing loss, or if there is a history of eardrum issues, seeking professional medical attention is advisable. Healthcare providers can safely remove excess earwax using methods such as ear irrigation, microsuction (a gentle vacuum technique), or manual extraction with specialized tools.