Why Are My Ears Waxy All of a Sudden?

Let’s talk about earwax – that golden stuff we all have! First things first, having earwax is entirely normal and healthy. If you didn’t have any earwax at all, that would be a problem. Every one of us produces this natural substance, and what it does for our ears is remarkable.

Think of earwax as your ears’ housekeeping service. It constantly works to keep your ears clean, protected, and healthy. Just like our eyes have tears and our nose produces mucus, our ears need their protective mechanism. That’s where earwax comes in!

Why Do We Have Earwax? Your ears are pretty clever – they’re self-cleaning organs that produce wax (technically called cerumen) to:

• Keep your ear canals moisturised (nobody likes dry, itchy ears!)
• Trap unwanted visitors like dust, dirt, and bacteria
• Protect your delicate eardrum from foreign objects
• Help clean your ears naturally through jaw movements when you talk or chew

So Why the Sudden Increase? If you’ve noticed more wax than usual, don’t worry – there are several common reasons this might be happening. Let’s look at the most frequent causes we see here at The Audiology Place:

Modern Life and Technology: We’re all plugged in now. Those earbuds might be the culprit, whether it’s your favourite podcasts, music, or video calls. Regular use of:

• Wireless earbuds
• Earplugs for sleep or swimming can block earwax’s natural path to leave the ear canal. Think of it like a highway—traffic builds up if there’s a roadblock!

Environmental Triggers: Living in Sydney, we’re exposed to various environmental factors that can cause our ears to produce more wax as a protective response:

• High pollen counts (especially during our beautiful but sneezy spring!)
• Increased dust exposure
• Dry winter weather

Your ears protect themselves by producing more wax to trap these particles!

Stress and Lifestyle: Have you been feeling overwhelmed lately? Surprisingly, stress can increase earwax production. It’s just another way our bodies respond to pressure—and let’s face it, modern life can be pretty stressful!

Age-Related Changes: As we age, our earwax typically becomes drier and more complex. It’s a natural part of getting older, just like those grey hairs that seem to appear overnight!

When Should You Visit Us? While earwax is normal and healthy, sometimes it needs professional attention. Consider booking an appointment if you’re experiencing:

• Muffled hearing (like everyone’s speaking through a pillow)
• Earache or discomfort
• Persistent itching
• Ringing in your ears
• Dizziness
• A blocked feeling in your ears

The Do’s and Don’ts of Ear Care

DO:

• Gently clean the outer part of your ear with a washcloth
• Keep your ears dry after swimming or showering
• Schedule regular check-ups, mainly if you use hearing aids

DON’T:

• Use cotton swabs or other objects to clean inside your ears (yes, we know it’s tempting!)
• Try ear candling or other unproven home remedies
• Ignore persistent symptoms

At The Audiology Place, we offer professional, gentle earwax removal in our comfortable Forestville clinic. Dr. Signe Steers understands that each person’s ears are unique. What’s normal for one person might be excessive for another. We’ll take the time to review your situation and give you the right care.

Remember—earwax is a sign of healthy ears! But if you’re concerned about sudden changes, having them checked out is always better. After all, your hearing health is what we’re passionate about at The Audiology Place. Also, bring your earwax questions—we’ve heard them all, and we love helping our patients better understand their ear health!

Dr Signe Steers

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