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Conditions

Earwax

Examination inside the ear

You might think that earwax is just useless icky stuff that you have to constantly remove from your ears. But it’s a natural secretion that actually performs a number of functions. Earwax cleans, lubricates, and protects the lining of your ear, by trapping dirt and repelling water. Without it, the skin inside your ear may become dry, cracked, infected, or waterlogged and sore. But this newfound respect for your earwax shouldn’t prevent you from conducting a little ear maintenance every now and then. The wax should naturally migrate towards the opening of the ear canal, so you shouldn’t have to go ramming a cotton bud deep inside (until you reach the brain). However, every year in the UK, an estimated 2.3 million people have problems with excessive earwax, which can sometimes cause the ear canal to become blocked, leading to pain, or temporary hearing loss. In these cases, the earwax will need to be removed by a GP or specialist.

What the Men in White Coats Say

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My ears are constantly sore, they feel blocked and 'full'. sometimes I cannot hear clearly and then the sound suddenly comes normal. it can be distressing. I have allergies to fur, dust and pollen. I have had my tonsils out and the pain has gone from my throat and ears, but has changed to a different pain. Please help my doctor will do no more.





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HI MY EARS ARE CONSTANTLY BLOCKED SMELLS AND FULL OF GUNK. I HAVE BEEN TO THE DOCTORS AND GOT GIVEN A SPRAY BUT DIDNT WORK WENT TO THE SPECIALIST AT E N T BUT THEY SIAD IT WAS EXZEMA OF THE EARS BUT I SEEN A LADY WHO HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS ON YOUR PROGRAMME AND WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD HELP, GET THE SAME TREATMENT AS HER





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I have problems with my ears feeling perminatly blocked and my hearing is effected by this, i have been to the doctors and they have just said that they are clean, I believe that this is a heridatory condition in my family, as my dad and uncle also suffer with similar conditions.





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i have a build up of wax in my left ear and it has a very offensive smell i have tried to soften it by using olive oil and wax is coming out but it still smells wat else can i do and what is the cause of this????





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Things are not the same for all individuals as it is different impacts upon different people of different age factor too.





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When I try to go to sleep, I get a noise in my ear that is very irretating. It's like a digging noise and usually in my left ear but can be in my left. it usually stops if i lie on that particular ear. I would like it if someone could tell me what this is and if i would have to go to the doctors! help!





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I used to get this when I had runny wax 'gunk' in my ear. I used to get a watery wax substance in my ear. sometimes at night it would sound like digging I found putting cotton wool in it or ear drops a few hours before bed. I have since had my tonsils out and it has stopped. I do have other pain now though.

HI im 38 and i have been hard of hearing since i was 7 years old i wear a hearing aid in my left ear 4 the last year or so i have experince smelling,itching,red and sore it is right down in the ear i am not sure if the ear mould has anything 2 do with it but if i take hearing aid out of the ear will go hard ihave been doctors twice about the problem i have tryed cream and tablets it does clear up but when i put hearing aid back in it will b ok 4 a few days then it comes back again to cope with the itching i hav`t 2 use a cotton bud which i no i am not ment 2 use but it is the only way i can deal with it. sometimes it keeps awake at night when it itches





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I keep getting dizzy can you tell me my i can be ok for a few days themn i get it back what is the best thing to take





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EVERYONE TRY GETTING YOUR EARS SURRINGED!!





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i have a problem with my right ear, i cant sleep due to the wax dripping top to bottom and leaking all over my pillow. it is fairly revolting.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Earwax is made up of a number of different substances that form a protective coating over the skin that lines the ear canal (the passage between the outer and middle ear). Read More »

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