Something rolling in the ear

There are significant differences between ancient occupations and modern ones, and many occupations now only exist in history. Ear picking was a normal occupation in ancient times, but it is almost never seen in modern times. Modern people use ear picks or cotton swabs to pick their ears and usually take out the contents of the ears. But what if there is something rolling in your ear and you can’t dig it out yourself?

According to what you said, you may be suffering from cerumen embolism, which is mostly formed by the accumulation of secretions in the external auditory canal, and has a sense of movement, hearing loss, etc.

Earwax is a yellowish viscous liquid secreted by the cerumen glands in the skin of the cartilaginous part of the external auditory canal. The cerumen glands are a special type of sweat gland located in the skin of the external auditory canal where ear hair grows. Earwax becomes thin flakes after drying in the air, but some earwax is like sticky grease, commonly known as "oily ears".

Earwax protects the skin of the external auditory canal and adheres to foreign objects (such as dust, small insects, etc.). Normally, earwax can fall off and be discharged by itself through movements such as chewing and opening the mouth. Cerumen embolism refers to excessive secretion of cerumen or obstruction of its discharge in the external auditory canal, which causes cerumen to gather into clumps and block the external auditory canal. Once cerumen embolism is formed, it can affect hearing or induce inflammation. It is one of the common diseases in otolaryngology. The symptoms of cerumen embolism vary depending on the degree and location. Those whose external auditory canal is not completely blocked are usually asymptomatic; when patients come to the doctor with clinical manifestations, it is often seen that earwax completely blocks the external auditory canal.

Causes

1. Excessive earwax secretion

Excessive earwax secretion may occur due to local irritation caused by external otitis, eczema, working in a dusty environment, ear picking, etc.

2. Obstruction of earwax discharge

External auditory canal stenosis, scars, tumors, and foreign body retention can all hinder the discharge of earwax. Frequent ear picking can push earwax deeper into the external auditory canal. Mandibular joint movement disorders or earwax soaked in water can affect the normal discharge of earwax.

Clinical manifestations

The symptoms of cerumen embolism vary depending on the degree and location. Those whose external auditory canal is not completely blocked are usually asymptomatic; when patients come to the doctor with clinical manifestations, it is often seen that earwax completely blocks the external auditory canal.

1. Hearing loss

Complete blockage of the external auditory canal by cerumen can cause hearing loss. The main clinical manifestation is conductive hearing loss. If it expands when exposed to water, it may cause a sudden drop in hearing, which should be differentiated from idiopathic sudden deafness.

2. Ear stuffiness and ear pain

Earwax embolism can induce erosion, swelling, and granulation of the skin in the external auditory canal, which manifests as ear pain or stuffiness.

3. Others

If earwax presses on the eardrum, it can cause tinnitus, dizziness and hearing loss. If earwax presses on the skin of the posterior wall of the external auditory canal, it can cause reflex coughing due to stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

4. Physical signs

Examination may show that the external auditory canal is blocked by yellow, brown or black lumps, which are hard as stone or soft as mud. They are often tightly attached to the external auditory canal and difficult to move.