Earwax is produced inside the ears to keep them clean and free of germs. It usually passes out of the ears harmlessly, but sometimes too much can build up and block the ears. The wax in the ears is made by glands in the skin of the outer ear canal. The wax and tiny hairs in these passages trap dust and other materials that could damage deeper parts of the ear, such as the eardrum. In most people, a small amount of earwax regularly makes its way to the ear opening. At the opening, its washed away or falls out as new wax replaces it. If the ears make too much wax or if earwax isnt cleared well enough, it may build up and block the ear canal.

Some factors that can increase the risk of too much earwax include:

• Naturally producing a lot of earwax
• Having smaller or oddly shaped ear canals
• Frequently inserting objects into the ear canal, such as cotton buds, ear plugs, or hearing aids
• Having hairy ears
• Having frequent or chronic ear infections

Using cotton swabs or other objects in the ear canal can remove superficial wax but also push the rest of the wax deeper into the ear canal, leading to blockage. It is important to note that earwax removal is most safely done by a healthcare provider, as the ear canal and eardrum are delicate and can be easily damaged.