Causes and risk factors:
While cleaning the ear with cotton swabs or with ear buds there are chances that the wax is pushed more inside. This wax then accumulates and turns hard leading to blockage.
Clinical presentation
Earwax blockage causes pain in the ear which can be dull or sever pain. The pain can radiate to the temple region or it can lead to pain in the gums and teeth. A feeling of fullness in the ear is felt. It also leads to decreased hearing. Ear wax blockage can cause favorable condition for infection.
Investigations
Diagnosis is done on the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and examination of the ear by the doctor through otoscope.
Treatment
In order to remove the wax certain wax removal medicines can be advised. Under aseptic precautions the doctor can remove the wax using a device called as curette.
Blockage of ear can be prevented by avoiding the use of cotton tipped swabs or other objects that pushes the wax deep inside.