Is it harmful if earwax is very hard and cannot be removed?
Disease description:
The earwax in my ear is very hard, and I’ve tried removing it for a long time without success. Is it harmful if hard earwax cannot be removed?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Gang
Very hard earwax that cannot be removed manually is likely impacted cerumen. If not promptly extracted, patients may experience symptoms such as aural fullness, ear pressure, or itching. If the impacted cerumen compresses the Eustachian tube (auditory tube), tinnitus may also occur; in severe cases, it may trigger secretory otitis media or suppurative otitis media, leading to hearing loss and ear pain. It is recommended that the patient consult an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) and avoid forcibly removing the cerumen.
