What causes earwax to build up in the ear?
While you may think it's gross, earwax (also known as cerumen) is actually quite important in keeping the ear clean and healthy. The ceruminous glands in the ears secrete it as a way of trapping dirt, dust, and other particles that could damage the eardrum were they to travel inside the ear.
Normally, wax builds up, then dries out and moves to the outer ear, where it washes away. In the process, it traps foreign debris and brings it along for the ride. Sometimes earwax accumulates faster than the body can expel it, though, and that's when earwax buildup can become a problem.
Can ear wax buildup interfere with my baby's hearing?
Absolutely. When a baby's ear canal is plugged with wax, his hearing becomes muffled. (Fluid trapped in the middle ear can also cause hearing loss during or after an ear infection.) It can also cause an earache.
How can I tell whether my baby's ear troubles are from earwax buildup or an ear infection? Sometimes it's hard to tell, since a baby with earwax buildup may rub or tug at his ears, or dig in his ears with his fingers, just as if he had an ear infection. However, earwax buildup does not cause the fever and sleep troubles associated with ear infections.
If there's a large amount of wax, you may be able to see it just by looking into your baby's ears. There may also be some yellow or brownish drainage. (Drainage from an ear infection, on the other hand, could be clear, milky-like pus, or bloody.) If you're at all concerned, make an appointment with your baby's doctor so she can take a closer look at things.
How do you get rid of earwax buildup?
When your mother told you to never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow, she was right; don't stick anything (including Q-tips) into your baby's ear canal as a way of dislodging earwax. You risk rupturing his tissue-thin eardrum, and you're likely to make the earwax problem worse by pushing the wax further into the canal.
If there's wax on your baby's outer ear, you can wipe it away with a cotton swab or, better yet, a wet washcloth. But if you think he has wax buildup inside his ear, ask his doctor to take a look at it during a routine visit. She can let you know if it's a problem, and she can safely remove it by flushing your baby's ear with warm liquid, which loosens the earwax and allows it to come out on its own. She may need to scrape out the more stubborn earwax with a thin plastic instrument called a curette; this doesn't hurt at all. If your baby regularly produces too much earwax, his doctor might suggest simple rinsing treatments you can do at home.
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