A medical professional is shown using specialized tweezers to remove a large, hardened plug of earwax from a person’s ear canal. 👂 Although the sight may look surprising, earwax buildup is a common problem that can sometimes become severe enough to require professional treatment. Earwax, also known as cerumen, normally protects the ear by trapping dust and other particles while helping keep the ear canal healthy.

When too much wax accumulates or becomes too hard to clear naturally, it can cause a condition called impacted cerumen. Symptoms may include a blocked-ear sensation, earache, itching, ringing in the ears, dizziness or reduced hearing. Using cotton swabs or inserting other objects into the ear can push wax deeper, making the blockage worse. Some people are also more prone to buildup because of naturally narrow ear canals or harder, drier wax.

Treatment depends on the severity of the blockage and the person’s ear health. A healthcare professional may remove hardened wax using specialized instruments, suction or carefully selected irrigation methods. Earwax-softening drops may also help loosen the buildup before removal. However, these methods are not suitable for everyone, particularly people with certain eardrum problems or a history of ear surgery.

Although videos of large earwax removals can be fascinating to watch, experts warn against trying to extract hardened plugs with tweezers, cotton swabs or other household objects. These attempts can injure the delicate ear canal or damage the eardrum. If you experience persistent blockage or hearing changes, seek medical advice rather than attempting deep ear cleaning yourself. 🩺