What is earwax?
Earwax, also known as cerumen, is a natural substance produced by the glands in your ear canal. It protects your ears by trapping dust, bacteria, and other foreign particles, preventing them from reaching the eardrum. Earwax also acts as a lubricant for the ear canal, preventing itchiness and irritation from dry skin.
Why do we have earwax?
Earwax plays several important roles in protecting your ear health:
- Cleaning and Protection: It helps trap dust, dirt, and microbes, preventing them from entering the ear canal and causing infections.
- Lubrication: It keeps the ear canal moisturised, preventing dryness and irritation.
- Antibacterial Properties: Earwax fights bacteria and helps protect the ear from infections.
The difference between wet and dry earwax
There are two main types of earwax: wet and dry. This difference is mostly genetic, and can even vary across ethnicities.
- Wet earwax is sticky, and more common in people of European and African descent.
- Dry earwax is flaky, and more prevalent in people of East Asian descent. The type of earwax you have is determined by a gene known as ABCC11.
Earwax colour guide: What Each Colour Means
It’s normal for your earwax to change colour over time, and these changes can indicate things like the earwax’s age, condition, or even the health of your ears.
Here’s a quick look at what each colour means for you:
Earwax Smell
As well as colour and consistency, the smell of your earwax can also provide some clues about what’s going on inside your ears:
- Normal Smell: Fresh, healthy earwax typically has a subtle musky or earthy smell. This is completely normal.
- Foul, Sour, or Fishy Smell: A sour or fishy smell can be a sign of infection. If your earwax smells unpleasant and you're experiencing pain or discomfort, it’s important to seek medical help.
- When to Seek Medical Advice: If your earwax has a foul smell and you're also experiencing pain, hearing loss, or unusual discharge, it’s time to consult a healthcare professional.
Earwax consistency
The consistency of earwax can be another useful sign of changes in your ear health. Here’s a breakdown of the common types of earwax consistency, and what to do if you notice them:
- Soft and Sticky: This is the most common type of earwax, especially in children. It’s normal and helps trap dirt and debris from getting inside your ear.
- Dry and Flaky: Dry, flaky earwax is more common in people of East Asian descent. It’s completely normal for some people, but see a professional if you are concerned or notice a sudden change.
- Hard and Impacted: Old and hard earwax can block the ear canal, leading to discomfort and even some hearing loss. Impacted earwax can be safely removed by a professional. If you feel discomfort, our earwax removal service can help.
- Watery or Runny: Watery earwax suggests you might have an infection or injury. If you notice this type of earwax along with other symptoms like pain, it’s important to meet with an audiologist as soon as possible.
When to see a professional about your earwax colour
It’s important to know when you should seek help for earwax-related issues.
Here’s when to see a GP versus when to see an audiologist at Bayfields:
When to see a GP:
- Pain, Hearing Loss, or Dizziness: These could indicate an ear infection or injury that needs medical attention.
- Sudden Changes in Colour, Consistency, or Smell: Green, red, or foul-smelling earwax may signal infection or injury.
- Bleeding or Discharge: Blood or unusual discharge can suggest a possible damage to the ear or other issues requiring a doctor’s evaluation.
When to see an Audiologist:
- Earwax Buildup or Blockage: If you're experiencing hearing loss, a feeling of fullness, or discomfort due to earwax, our audiologists can safely remove the buildup.
- Persistent Itchiness or Discomfort: If earwax is causing ongoing irritation, we can provide professional solutions, like ear microsuction or irrigation.
Our free hearing screening checks are included as standard with all earwax removal appointments. They’re great for getting a professional opinion on your overall ear health and putting your mind at ease.
If you’re not sure about seeing an audiologist just yet, our free online hearing test is a great first step. It takes about 5 minutes to complete, and gives you a quick picture of your hearing.
Earwax and genetics
Why do some people have wet earwax and others have dry earwax? It’s all down to genetics, and is linked specifically to the ABCC11 gene. People with wet earwax tend to have a stickier consistency and darker colour, while dry earwax tends to be more flaky and light.
Removing earwax safely
The safest way to remove earwax is through professional methods like microsuction or irrigation, which are both effective and pain-free. You should avoid using cotton buds or ear candles, as both of these methods can cause damage to your ear canal or eardrum.
Explore our full guide to safely removing earwax at home for a full breakdown of the do’s and don’ts. But if you’re experiencing discomfort or a persistent feeling of fullness in your ears, it’s always best to book in for professional ear wax removal.
Earwax Colour FAQs
What does the colour of my earwax mean?
The colour of your earwax can indicate different stages of earwax production. Fresh earwax is light yellow, while older earwax becomes darker. Unusual colours like green, red, or black could indicate an infection or injury.
What colour is healthy earwax?
Healthy earwax is typically light yellow or golden brown. It’s fresh and indicates that your ear is working properly to protect and clean itself.
What colour is unhealthy earwax?
If your earwax is green, red, or has a strong smell, it could be a sign of an infection. Black or dark brown earwax might suggest that earwax is old or impacted, and needs to be removed by a professional.
What does it mean if my earwax smells bad?
A foul smell often indicates infection or bacterial growth in the ear. It’s important to seek medical help if your earwax smells sour, fishy, or unpleasant.
Can earwax cause hearing loss?
Yes, impacted earwax can cause hearing loss or a feeling of fullness in the ear. A professional earwax removal appointment can clear hardened wax and restore your normal hearing.
Can I safely remove earwax at home?
The safest way to remove earwax is through professional methods like microsuction or irrigation. Avoid using cotton buds or other objects that can push earwax deeper, and speak to a professional if you’re in doubt.
When should I see an audiologist about my earwax?
If your earwax causes pain, hearing loss, or dizziness, or if you notice sudden changes in colour, consistency, or smell, it’s time to see an audiologist for professional earwax removal.
Ear wax colour guide: what each colour means
It’s normal for your earwax to change colour over time, and these changes can reflect things like the earwax’s age or condition. However, colour alone isn’t a reliable way to diagnose ear health. Avoid trying to check or treat your ears yourself - if something doesn’t seem right, it’s always best to speak to a professional.
Here’s a quick look at what each colour means for you:
Light yellow ear wax: fresh, healthy, and normal
A light yellow colour is typically a sign that your earwax is fresh and normal, indicating that your ear is functioning as it should. It’s a sign that your ear is clean and the wax is doing its job of protecting and lubricating the ear canal.
What it means: Healthy earwax - nothing to worry about here.
Orange or golden-brown earwax: normal, but slightly older
Orange or golden-brown earwax is still considered normal, but it suggests that the earwax is slightly older than fresh earwax. Over time, earwax becomes slightly darker as part of the natural aging process.
What it means: Normal, just slightly older wax. No cause for concern.
Dark brown or black earwax: older and oxidised (possible impaction)
Earwax that is dark brown or even black has likely been in the ear for some time and become oxidised. If you notice this colour along with a feeling of fullness or discomfort, it’s likely a sign of earwax buildup or impaction. If you’re unsure, our professional earwax removal service can help clear the blockage safely.
What it means: Older, possibly impacted earwax. Consider getting it removed for your comfort.
White or grey earwax: dry and often genetic
White or grey earwax is typically dry, flaky, and can often be the result of genetics, particularly in people with dry-type earwax. It may indicate that the earwax hasn’t moved through the ear canal and exited as normal, which can sometimes be a sign of earwax impaction.
What it means: Normal for some people, especially if you often have dry earwax. If you're concerned about dryness, a professional audiologist can help.
Green earwax: possible infection, especially if smelly
Green earwax, especially when accompanied by a strong smell, might be a sign of infection. This is often the case with otitis externa (swimmer's ear) and other common ear infections. If you notice green earwax with discomfort or a bad smell, speak to a professional to avoid complications.
What it means: Likely infection, especially with pain or a strong smell. Get checked out as soon as you can.
Red or pink earwax: blood, injury, or possible damage to the ear
Earwax that is red or pink could be a sign of blood in your ear, often caused by injury or trauma. Bleeding can even happen if you scratch the ear canal with a cotton bud. If you notice red earwax and haven’t injured your ear, it could indicate a more serious issue, so it’s best to seek professional advice.
What it means: Possible injury or trauma. If you’re unsure, it’s best to see a professional.
Pale or off-white earwax: normal for some, but a sign of dryness
Pale or off-white earwax can be normal for certain people, but can also suggest dryness or a lack of earwax production. If your ear feels itchy or dry along with pale earwax, it might be worth speaking with a professional about how to keep your ear canal moisturised.
What it means: Normal for some, but could suggest dryness. Reach out if you're feeling discomfort.
Unusual earwax colours (blue, purple, etc.): when it’s time to seek help
If your earwax is an unusual colour like blue or purple, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying issue. It's a good idea to seek medical advice, especially if you’re feeling pain along with an abnormal earwax colour.
What it means: Uncommon colour – speak to a professional as soon as possible.
