Why Do Ears Produce So Much Wax?

August 14, 2025

Ear wax (cerumen) is a natural substance your body makes in the ear canal to trap dirt, protect the skin, and help keep germs out.
Most ear wax is normal, but too much can cause a blocked feeling, muffled hearing, ringing, or dizziness. An audiologist can check your ears and remove wax safely without pushing it deeper.
Audio Help Hearing Centers offers ear wax checks and professional ear wax removal in New York, NY, Scarsdale, NY, and Stamford, CT.

At one time or another, you may have wondered, “Why do I have so much earwax?” or “Why are my ears so waxy?” You’re not alone.

Ear wax might seem gross, but it’s actually very helpful. It protects your ears and keeps them healthy.

Let’s talk about what ear wax is, why your body makes it, and what to do if you think you have too much.

What Is Ear Wax?

Ear wax, also called cerumen, is a sticky, yellow or brown substance that forms in your ear canal. It might not look pretty, but it has an important job!

If you’re wondering what causes ear wax, it forms when secretions from tiny glands mix with oils, shed skin cells, and trapped debris. It slowly moves out of your ear on its own and usually dries up and falls out without you even noticing.

Why Do Ears Produce Wax?

Your ears make wax for a few good reasons:

To Keep Your Ears Clean – Believe it or not, ear wax helps clean your ears. As the wax moves, it carries dust, dirt, and dead skin cells out of your ear.

To Protect Your Ears – Ear wax keeps germs, bugs, and other tiny things from getting deep inside your ears. It acts like a shield.

To Keep Your Ears Moist – Ear wax keeps your ears from feeling dry and itchy. It protects the skin inside your ears from cracking or getting irritated.

Why Do I Produce So Much Earwax?

If you’re wondering, “Why do my ears produce so much wax?” several factors can affect how much wax your ears make and how easily it leaves the ear canal.

It runs in your family (it can be genetic)
You wear hearing aids, earbuds, or earplugs often
You have narrow or curvy ear canals
Your body makes thicker or stickier wax
Your ears try to protect themselves from dust or dirt

What Causes Excessive Ear Wax?

Excessive ear wax does not always mean your ears are producing more than normal. Genetics and wax consistency can affect how much cerumen forms, while narrow or curved ear canals and frequent use of hearing aids, earbuds, or earplugs can prevent wax from moving out naturally. In many cases, what causes excess ear wax to become a problem is a combination of increased production and poor drainage.

When too much wax accumulates and cannot leave the ear canal naturally, it can become impacted. This is known as ear wax impaction.

If ear wax is disrupting your hearing, an audiologist can examine your ears and determine whether professional removal is necessary. Patients in Westchester County can schedule an appointment with an audiologist in Scarsdale, New York.

Signs You Might Have Too Much Ear Wax

If your ears make too much wax or it gets stuck, you might notice:

A feeling that your ear is full or blocked
Trouble hearing clearly
Earaches or discomfort
Ringing or buzzing sounds (tinnitus)
Itching or irritation
Dizziness or balance problems
Coughing (yes, that can be from ear wax too!)

If you have these symptoms, it’s a good idea to see an audiologist. They can look inside your ears and help you feel better.

Need to visit an audiologist in New York? Please schedule an appointment with our expert hearing doctors at Audio Help Hearing Centers.

Should You Clean Your Ears?

This surprises a lot of people: Most of the time, you don’t need to clean your ears at all. Your ears clean themselves naturally. Wax slowly moves out on its own, especially when you chew or talk.

Don’t use cotton swabs or put anything inside your ears. This can push the wax in deeper, make it harder to get out, and even hurt your ear.

If you think you have too much wax, an audiologist can remove it safely.

Audio Help Hearing Centers provides expert ear wax removal in New York, NY.

Using Ear Drops for Wax Buildup

If you are dealing with a feeling of fullness or mild blockage, over-the-counter ear drops are often the first thing people try at home. They can be effective for softening wax, but there are a few things worth knowing before you use them.

How long should you leave ear drops in?

Most over-the-counter earwax softening drops (whether carbamide peroxide-based or oil-based) work best when left in the ear canal for the time listed on the product label, typically between five and fifteen minutes. Tilt your head so the affected ear faces upward, apply the drops, and stay in that position for the full duration. Then tilt your head the other way to let the liquid drain out. Some drops recommend repeating this once or twice a day for several days before the softened wax begins to move on its own or rinses away more easily.

Can you use expired ear drops?

It is best not to. The active ingredients in carbamide peroxide drops degrade over time, meaning an expired product may be less effective at softening wax. More importantly, the preservatives that prevent bacterial growth in the solution can also break down after the expiration date, which introduces a small risk of irritation or infection if applied to a sensitive ear canal. If your drops are expired, replace them before starting a course of treatment.

When ear drops will not clear a blockage

Ear drops soften wax but they do not immediately remove it. If the wax is already firmly impacted, drops alone are unlikely to resolve the problem. There are also situations where using ear drops at home is not appropriate and could make things worse:

If you have a perforated eardrum or a history of ear surgery, drops can pass into the middle ear and cause damage or infection.
If you wear hearing aids and have developed a blockage partly because the devices prevent wax from migrating out naturally, the wax may be too compacted for drops to penetrate effectively.
If your symptoms include ear pain, discharge, or significant hearing loss alongside the blocked feeling, these are signs the problem may be more than a wax buildup and should be assessed by an audiologist before any home treatment is attempted.
If you have used drops consistently for several days without any improvement, continuing is unlikely to help and professional removal is the appropriate next step.

In these situations, professional ear wax removal is safer and more effective than persisting with home treatment. Audio Help audiologists use microsuction and other clinical techniques to clear impacted wax quickly and without pushing it deeper.

How Can an Audiologist Help?

Audiologists are ear and hearing experts. If your ears make too much wax, they can check your ears and remove it gently. They may use:

Special ear drops to soften the wax
Gentle water irrigation to flush it out
Small tools or suction to carefully take it out

These treatments are quick, safe, and much better than trying to do it yourself.

How Can You Prevent Wax Buildup?

You might not be able to stop ear wax completely, but you can lower your chances of buildup:

Avoid using cotton swabs
Limit wearing earbuds or earplugs for long periods
Ask your audiologist about safe ear care
Schedule regular ear checks if you make a lot of wax

Schedule An Ear Wax Removal in NYC

Ear wax is a natural and helpful part of your body. It keeps your ears clean, protected, and healthy. But sometimes, your ears make too much, and it can block your hearing or cause discomfort.

If you’re having problems with wax buildup or think your ears feel full, don’t wait. See an audiologist for safe, gentle care.

Audio Help Hearing Centers provides expert ear wax removal in New York, NY.

Our offices are located in the greater New York City Area (Union Square West, Columbus Circle, and Park Avenue). You can also find our audiologists in Scarsdale, NY (Westchester County), and Stamford, CT.