Earwax, scientifically known as cerumen, is a natural substance produced in the ear canal that serves several protective functions. This waxy material acts as a self-cleaning agent, trapping dust, dirt, and debris before they reach the delicate inner ear structures. Cerumen also provides lubrication to the ear canal skin and possesses antibacterial properties that help guard against infection. While its presence is universal, the amount produced varies significantly from person to person, rooted in both biology and environmental factors.
The Biological Mechanism of Cerumen Production
Cerumen is a complex mixture created by two types of glands located in the outer third of the ear canal. Ceruminous glands are modified sweat glands that secrete antimicrobial proteins, peptides, fatty substances, and alcohols. Simultaneously, sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles produce an oily substance called sebum, which lubricates the skin and prevents it from drying out.
The final composition of earwax includes these glandular secretions mixed with sloughed-off dead skin cells, hair, and dust particles. Keratin, a protein from the dead skin cells, accounts for roughly 60% of the cerumen’s mass, while the remainder is made up of lipids like cholesterol and long-chain fatty acids. The ear has a natural self-cleaning mechanism where jaw movement, such as when chewing, slowly transports the old earwax out toward the ear opening.
Genetic Differences: The Wet vs. Dry Factor
One of the most significant factors determining both the quality and perceived quantity of earwax is genetics. The difference between having “wet” or “dry” earwax is determined by a single change in the ABCC11 gene. This gene provides instructions for a protein involved in transporting molecules that give earwax its sticky, lipid-rich nature.
People who inherit the ‘G’ allele of this gene typically produce wet earwax, which is sticky, soft, and yellowish-brown in color, and has a higher lipid content. In contrast, individuals who inherit two copies of the ‘A’ allele produce dry earwax, which is flaky, lighter in color, and contains significantly less fat. Because the wet type is more viscous and tends to accumulate as a cohesive mass, it often appears to be a greater quantity than the dry, flaky type.
The distribution of these two types is strongly linked to ancestry. The wet type is overwhelmingly common in populations of European and African descent. The dry earwax type is highly prevalent in people of East Asian descent, particularly among Chinese, Korean, and Japanese populations, where 80% to 95% of people possess the dry variant. This genetic variation is a classic example of a visible trait determined by a single gene.
Environmental and Lifestyle Influences on Quantity
Beyond genetics, several non-inherited factors influence the quantity of earwax produced or how quickly it accumulates. The ear canal is part of the body’s defense system, and exposure to environmental irritants can trigger an increased protective response. Spending time in dusty or polluted environments prompts the ear to produce more cerumen to trap particles and prevent irritation.
The frequent use of devices that block the ear canal can also impede the natural self-cleaning mechanism, leading to buildup. Items like earplugs, in-ear headphones, or hearing aids can push existing wax deeper into the canal. This contact stimulus can accelerate cerumen production as a response to chronic irritation, especially if the devices are worn for long periods.
Age also plays a role in earwax consistency and mobility. In older individuals, the cerumen tends to become drier and harder, making it less mobile and more likely to cause a blockage. Certain skin conditions, such as eczema, or attempts to clean the ear with cotton swabs can irritate the ear canal lining, which may also stimulate the glands to increase secretion.
Recognizing Excessive Buildup and Impaction
When earwax accumulates faster than the ear can naturally expel it, it can harden and completely block the ear canal, a condition known as cerumen impaction. Impaction is often caused by attempts to clean the ear, which merely push the wax further inward, compacting it against the eardrum. Since the ear canal is shaped like an hourglass, inserting a cotton swab can force the wax past the narrowest point, making natural removal almost impossible.
Symptoms of impaction can include a feeling of fullness, a plugged ear, a partial loss of hearing, or an earache. Other signs may involve tinnitus, dizziness, itching, discharge, or an odor coming from the ear. If these symptoms begin to interfere with daily life, or if attempts to soften the wax at home fail, a medical professional should be consulted for safe removal.