Earwax (cerumen) is part of your body's natural defenses. It protects your ear canal by trapping dirt and slowing the growth of bacteria.

At times, however, too much earwax may accumulate and become too hard to wash away naturally, resulting in earwax blockage.

It's not known why some people experience earwax blockage more often and why earwax blockage often occurs in only one ear. If earwax blockage becomes a problem, you or your doctor can take steps to remove the wax safely.

Signs and symptoms of earwax blockage may include:

• Earache
• Feeling of fullness in the involved ear
• Ear noise (tinnitus)
• Decreased hearing in the involved ear

However, having these symptoms doesn't necessarily mean you have earwax blockage.

The wax in your ears is secreted by glands in the skin that lines your ear canals. The wax and tiny hairs in these passages trap dust and other foreign particles that could damage deeper structures, such as your eardrum.

In most people, a small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the opening of the ear, where it's washed away or falls out as new wax is secreted to replace it. If you secrete an excessive amount of wax or if it isn't cleared effectively, it may build up and block your ear canal.

Additionally, earwax blockages commonly occur when people try to clean their ears on their own by placing cotton swabs or other items in their ears. This often just pushes wax deeper into the ear, rather than removing it.

About 10 percent of American children and 5 percent of adults have an earwax blockage at any given time. Earwax blockages occur more often in people living in nursing homes and in people with mental retardation.

There's no way to know if you have excessive earwax without having your doctor look into your ears. Having signs and symptoms such as earache or decreased hearing doesn't necessarily mean you have wax buildup. Even if you've had a past problem with earwax, you can't be sure that wax buildup is the cause of your current symptoms. It's possible you have other another medical condition involving your ears that may need attention.

Asking your doctor to remove earwax may seem unnecessary, but your ear and eardrum are delicate and can be damaged easily by excess earwax. Seek medical advice instead of trying to remove hardened wax that resists your initial self-care measures. Also, don't try to remove earwax on your own with any device placed into your ear canal, especially if you've had ear surgery, have a hole (perforation) in your eardrum, or are having ear pain or drainage.

Children usually have their ears checked as part of any medical examination. If necessary, a doctor can remove excess earwax from your child's ear during an office visit.

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Earwax removal by a doctor

Your doctor can remove excess wax using a small, curved instrument called a curette. Your doctor can also flush out the wax using a water pick or a rubber-bulb syringe filled with warm water. Your doctor may also be able to remove excess wax using suction while inspecting the ear with the aid of a microscope.

If earwax buildup is a recurring problem, your doctor may recommend that you use a wax-removal medication, such as carbamide peroxide (Debrox, Murine Ear Drops), every four to eight weeks as a preventive measure. Because these drops can irritate the delicate skin of the eardrum and ear canal, it's recommended that they be used sparingly and only on the advice of your physician.

Ear candling: Not a good option
Ear candling, a technique that involves placing a lighted, hollow, cone-shaped candle into your ear, is not recommended. The theory is that the heat from the flame will create a vacuum seal and the earwax will adhere to the candle. But, research has found that ear candling doesn't work and it may be dangerous.

If your eardrum does not contain a tube or have a hole in it, these self-care measures may help you remove excess earwax that's blocking your ear canal:

• Soften the wax. Use an eyedropper to apply a few drops of baby oil, mineral oil, glycerin or hydrogen peroxide in your ear canal twice a day for no more than four to five days. This will soften the wax.
• Use warm water. After a day or two when the wax is softened, use a rubber-bulb syringe to gently squirt warm water into your ear canal. Tilt your head and pull your outer ear up and back to straighten your ear canal. When finished irrigating, tip your head to the side to let the water drain out.
• Dry your inner ear. When finished, dry your outer ear with a towel or a hand-held hair dryer. Dry your ear canal by applying one full eyedropper of rubbing alcohol, then tip your head to the side to drain the alcohol. However, do this only if your doctor advises it. If you have a hole in your eardrum or a sore in your ear canal, the alcohol can be painful and may even damage the inner ear, affecting your hearing and balance.

You may need to repeat this wax-softening and irrigation procedure several times before the excess earwax falls out. However, the softening agents may only loosen the outer layers of the wax. If your symptoms don't improve after a few treatments, see your doctor.

Earwax removal kits available in stores also can be effective at removing wax buildup. If you're unsure which one is right for you, ask your doctor for advice on how to properly use other earwax-removal methods.

Don't try to dig it out
Never attempt to dig out excessive or hardened earwax with items such as a paper clip, a cotton swab or a hairpin. You may push the wax farther into your ear and cause serious damage to the lining of your ear canal and even to your eardrum.