Guideline to help with earwax impaction
Sept. 5, 2008
Listen up: Formal instructions for ear care have arrived.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation released the first comprehensive clinical guideline on earwax impaction last week.
The guideline was also written to inform patients about the purpose of earwax and to promote appropriate ways of preventing impaction.
Contrary to what some hear about earwax, (the guidelines say cerumen, the medical term for earwax) it is good for the ears. According to the guidelines, earwax "is a naturally occurring substance that cleans, protects and lubricates the external auditory canal."
The guidelines explain that earwax is formed when glandular secretions from within the ear canal mix with a thin tissue forming the outer layer of the body's surface. This gooey golden substance is then slowly pushed through the ear canal with the help of the jaw. Jaw movement, like chewing, can cause earwax to migrate toward the outer section of the ear canal.
David Chang, a doctor at the department of otolaryngology at the School of Medicine, said earwax is an important part of the ear's structure.
"The ear, to a certain degree, is self-cleaning," Chang said.
According to the guidelines, there are cases in which the self-cleaning mechanism can fail. Cerumen begins to accumulate within the ear canal and might lead to ear-related problems. Failures are often caused when people intervene with the ear's cleaning process.
Chang said devices such as a hearing aid or a cotton swab can push earwax back into the ear.
"You can think of it as an old Civil War musket, where they used a ramrod to pack the powder in," he said.
The guidelines list several symptoms associated with earwax impaction: hearing loss, a ringing noise, fullness, itching, discharge, odor and cough.
Earwax impaction is present in one in 10 children, one in 20 adults and more than one-third of the elderly and developmentally delayed populations. The elderly and developmentally delayed appear to be most prone to developing earwax impaction, but the guidelines state "the prevalence of cerumen impaction varies enormously."
About 12 million people seek medical care annually for ear problems caused by earwax. This results in nearly 8 million earwax removal procedures.
According to the otolaryngology agency Web site, the ear canals, under ideal conditions, should not have to be cleaned. Ear cleaning should only take place when earwax accumulation causes symptoms.
Chang said clinicians aren't encouraging their patients to have dirty ears.
"We wouldn't go as far as to say leave it in your ear as a protection mechanism," Chang said.
Chang said the best removal method is one conducted by an otolaryngologist, who would be able to see inside the ear, unlike a person with a cotton swab.
"There is an advantage in direct visualization," he said. "There is less likely a chance of trauma in the removal of cerumen."
According to the guidelines, treatment of earwax impaction may result in ear canal lacerations and infection.
The otolaryngology agency Web site recommends washing the external portions of the ear with a cloth without inserting anything into the ear canal.
The Web site also recommends avoiding ear candles for cleaning ears. Ear candling involves lighting one end of a hollow candle and sticking the other end in the ear. The candle creates suction and draws earwax out of the ear.
More Sept. 5, 2008 Outlook Stories
- Columbia soldier's funeral held on Tuesday — Steven Fitzmorris, a Columbia soldier, was remembered during his funeral on Tuesday.
- Few Gustav evacuees take shelter in Columbia — A solid 790 miles separate New Orleans and Columbia. But when Hurricane Gustav threatened Louisiana with what some feared was ...
- Columbia programs encourage biking — From counting carbs to counting cars: A diet recommended by a city wellness organization might not be Atkins, but it ...
- Same-sex marriage: election issue — Same-sex marriage will be a hot ballot issue in upcoming elections.</i>
- Guideline to help with earwax impaction — Listen up: Formal instructions for ear care have arrived.The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation released the first ...
Most recent Outlook Stories
- Student apartments burglarized at The Links — Police believe at least 12 apartments have been burglarized with a master key.
- Bank bailout is socialism — It's been seven weeks since we last discussed the economy. Seven weeks ago, Congress was deep in deliberation about the ...
- Protesters speak against Prop 8 in Columbia — People also protested the measure in Chicago and St. Louis.
- Travel costs expected to be low for Thanksgiving — Gas prices usually rise around the holidays.
- GREENway fashion show highlights recycling — On Saturday, Campus Lodge Apartments hosted Project GREENway Fashion Show, in which local students volunteered as models, showing off clothes ...