Question

The earwax in a five-year-old girl’s ear is as hard as stone, completely blocking the ear canal. Will this affect her hearing? The earwax is extremely hard, blocking the entire ear canal. Past treatment and outcomes are: No treatment has been administered. Assistance needed: Will it affect her hearing?

Answer

Earwax, medically known as cerumen, is a sticky substance secreted by the cerumen glands in the external auditory canal. It can adhere to dust that enters the external auditory canal and to the desquamated cells from regional skin metabolism, which is why the earwax we see is not just the secretion of cerumen glands. Cerumen serves a protective function for the ears, covering the skin surface of the external auditory canal to prevent dryness and adherence of dust, and to prevent infection. It can also provide protection if water enters the ear.