Earwax is medically known as cerumen and is found deep inside the ear. Most people can expel cerumen on their own and do not need to pick it out themselves (earwax removal). Some people with oily ears or congenital narrowing of the external auditory canal can have cerumen removed by a medical professional if the blockage of cerumen causes uncomfortable symptoms.
Under normal circumstances, cerumen does not need to be removed by a person. Cerumen will be discharged on its own as we eat, talk, exercise and other actions. If you feel itchy in your ears, you can use a soft cotton swab or an ear scoop to clean them.
For people with “greasy ears”, cerumen is not easy to be discharged on its own, and will gather in the external ear canal, forming cerumen embolism, resulting in stuffy ears, tinnitus, hearing loss and other conditions. In this case, it is recommended to find a professional doctor to remove the cerumen instead of picking the ear by oneself.
Some people are born with a narrow external ear canal opening, which prevents cerumen from being discharged on its own, blocking it and forming a cerumen plug. Significant discomfort or hearing loss can occur, requiring examination and cleaning at a hospital.
For those who have cerumen deep inside the ear and do not know how to deal with it, it is recommended to consult a hospital and have it dealt with under the guidance of a professional doctor.