Why Is There Wax in My Ears? | Ear Wax Removal Wigan
Ear wax removal is one of the most common services we provide – and it often starts with the question: Why do I even have wax in my ears?
Ear wax (also called cerumen) is a natural substance that protects and cleans the ear canal. It traps dust, debris, and bacteria, preventing them from reaching the eardrum. It also keeps the skin in the canal moisturised.
How Does Ear Wax Move?
Your ears are self-cleaning. As your skin regenerates, dead skin cells carry wax slowly outward – a process known as epithelial migration. Once at the entrance of the canal, the wax usually dries and flakes off without you noticing.
Why Does Wax Sometimes Build Up?
Some people never experience issues with wax. For others, it’s an ongoing battle. Factors that increase wax build-up include:
Wearing hearing aids or earplugs
Narrow or hairy ear canals
Skin conditions like eczema
Diet or environment
Using cotton buds or inserting objects into the ear
These factors can interrupt the self-cleaning process and push wax deeper into the canal.
Do I Need to Use Oil Before an Appointment?
While not always necessary, we recommend using olive oil drops twice daily for 2–3 days before your appointment. This softens the wax, making removal easier and reducing the likelihood of needing a second visit. If you’ve used drops for longer, that’s also fine.
Should I Do Anything to Maintain My Ear Health?
In most cases, no. Your ears are good at taking care of themselves. If you suffer from dry or itchy ears, products like Eargene or Miracell (available from most pharmacies) can provide relief. Avoid inserting anything into your ears.
Is Syringing Safe?
Syringing, also known as ear irrigation, uses water to flush out the wax. While it can work, it has limitations and risks. The water must hit the eardrum to be effective, which can be traumatic, especially if done repeatedly or incorrectly.
At Wigan Hearing, we prefer microsuction – a quick, gentle, and safe procedure where wax is removed using a small suction device. Microsuction avoids the risks associated with syringing and can be repeated safely when needed.
Learn more about microsuction here →
Do You Offer Home Visits?
Currently, home visits are not part of our regular service. Although we have portable equipment, we believe the safest and most effective wax removal takes place in our Wigan clinic. Our clinic is fully equipped, with easy parking and full disabled access.
In exceptional cases, we may consider home visits. Please get in touch if you are physically unable to attend.
Where Is Your Clinic Based?
Wigan Hearing offers professional ear wax removal including microsuction, ear irrigation, and dry removal. We’re based in Standish, Wigan, and serve clients from across the Northwest.
Don’t wait for blocked ears to get worse – book your appointment online today.