That feeling is unmistakable. It starts subtly—a slight sense of fullness, as if you’re underwater. Voices sound muffled, your own voice echoes in your head, and the crisp edge of everyday sounds feels dulled. For many of us, this frustrating experience isn't a sign of something serious, but a common call from our bodies: there's a bit too much earwax in the driver's seat.

Earwax, or cerumen, isn't the enemy. It's a protective marvel—a natural, self-cleaning agent that traps dust, repels water, and even has antimicrobial properties to keep your ear canal safe. But just like any good system, it can sometimes get out of balance. Understanding why this happens is the first step to comfortable, clear hearing.

Why Does Earwax Build Up? It's Usually How, Not What.

Our ears are designed to be self-cleaning. Jaw movement from talking and chewing usually helps migrate old wax out of the ear canal naturally. Buildup often happens when we disrupt this elegant process.

The #1 Culprit: Cotton Swabs. It’s the great irony: we try to clean our ears and end up causing the problem. Swabs often push wax deeper into the canal, compacting it against the eardrum into a hard plug.
Anatomy: Some people simply have narrower or more curved ear canals, which makes natural wax migration less efficient.
Hearing Aids & Earbuds: Regular use of these devices can inadvertently prevent wax from exiting and can also stimulate more wax production.
The Body's Response: Sometimes, in response to irritation or a tendency toward drier wax, the body may produce more cerumen than usual.