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Earwax (cont.)

Earwax Causes

Blockage, or impaction, occurs when the wax gets pushed deep within the ear canal. Earwax blockage affects about 6% of people and is the most common ear problem doctors see.

  • The most common cause of this is the use of Q-tips (and other objects such as bobby pins and rolled napkin corners), which pushes the wax deeper into the ear canal.
  • Hearing aid and earplug users are also more prone to earwax blockage.


Next: Earwax Symptoms »

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