Although called wax, earwax or cerumen plays a role in protecting the hearing organ from foreign objects and infections. However, sometimes the wax can build up and block the ear canal, causing cerumen prop.
Earwax is produced by the oil glands in the ear canal to protect and clean the ear from dust, germs, and foreign objects. Cerumen also functions to inhibit the growth of bacteria in the ear canal so that infection does not occur.
In normal amounts, cerumen does not need to be cleaned from inside the ear often because it can come out by itself. The presence of normal cerumen generally does not cause disturbances or complaints.
However, there are times when the earwax cannot get out and accumulates in the ear, thereby blocking the ear canal. This condition called cerumen prop can then cause hearing loss and discomfort in the ear.
Causes and Symptoms of Cerumen Prop
There are several things that can cause cerumen prop, namely:
- Excessive earwax production
- Earwax is hard and dry
- The habit of inserting objects into the ear canal, such as cotton bud, ear plugs, or hearing aids
- Narrowing of the ear canal
- Ear infection
When cerumen prop occurs, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Ears feel sore or itchy
- Ears ringing
- Vertigo or dizziness spinning
- Hearing impaired or hard of hearing
- Ears feel clogged or full
When experiencing earwax buildup, especially if it has caused some of the symptoms above, you are advised to consult an ENT specialist.
Treatment of Cerumen Prop
After performing an examination and confirming that you have cerumen prop, the doctor will clean your ear and remove any accumulated earwax.
The following are some steps for handling cerumen prop that can be done by an ENT specialist:
Give ear drops
Doctors can use ear drops containing mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, baby oil, or glycerin to soften tough cerumen for easier removal. After that, the doctor can remove the accumulated earwax.
Carry out medical treatment
If the cerumen prop can be clearly seen, the doctor will clean your ear of the cerumen by:
- Insert a small plastic tube connected to the machine to aspirate cerumen from the ear (suction)
- Remove cerumen using a curette or forceps
- Clean the ear canal by spraying warm water into the ear
However, tell your doctor beforehand if you have recently had ear surgery or have an ear injury, as spraying warm water into the ear should not be used in either of these conditions, nor should the ear have an infection or inflammation.
To clean the ear from cerumen, you should not use cotton bud or ear candles because it can cause the ear to hurt and become infected. This has the potential to make your ears experience more severe disturbances and make your symptoms worse.
To maintain ear health and prevent cerumen prop, avoid cleaning the ear too often and inserting objects into the ear. If you experience symptoms of cerumen prop, you should consult an ENT doctor to undergo an ear examination and get safe treatment.
