StatPearls

StatPearls

Book. 2017 06

Authors:

Abstract
Production of cerumen (earwax) is a normal and naturally occurring process in humans and many other mammals. It protects the ear from infection and provides a barrier for insects and water. Cerumen is typically expelled from the ear canal spontaneously through natural jaw movement. However, in certain individuals, the self-cleaning mechanism fails, and cerumen can become impacted. Cerumen impaction can occlude the canal or press against the tympanic membrane, potentially causing ear discomfort, conductive hearing loss, itching, and tinnitus. Cerumen impaction occurs in up to 6% of the general population, affecting 10% of children and over 30% of the elderly and cognitively impaired populations. It is often seen in those with hearing aids or earplugs, in an external canal occluded by a foreign body, or in people with ear canal anatomic abnormality. Excessive buildup of cerumen is likely underdiagnosed and undertreated.  In the United States, it leads to 12 million patient visits and eight million cerumen removal procedures each year.  It can interfere with tympanic membrane examination in the clinical setting.  It is diagnosed by direct visualization by a trained provider using an otoscope.

PMID: 28846265

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