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Common questions about ear canals, answered
Ever wonder how these narrow tunnels really work? Learn the basics and find expert tips on keeping your ear canals healthy.
You might not think about your ear canals very often. Those are the narrow tubes that lead from the outer part of your ear to your eardrum. The only time you may be aware of them is when they itch or feel plugged up.
But your ear canals play an important role in the way you hear — whether you wear hearing aids or not. So it’s a good idea to give them some attention. Read on to learn essential facts about this sensitive area of your ear.
What exactly do your ear canals do?
Your ear canals are also known as your auditory canals. That’s a clue to their first job, which is to serve as a pathway for sounds to pass through to the eardrum, says Mary C. Henry, Au.D. She’s an audiologist at Swedish Audiology Services in Seattle. “They also protect the eardrum and all the little delicate structures of the middle and inner ear,” she explains.
To get a better picture of how the ear canal works, here’s a breakdown of the parts of the ear:1
- The outer ear, made up of cartilage and skin, is the part that you see.
- The ear canal is the tunnel that leads to the eardrum.
- The eardrum separates the outer ear from the middle ear. Sounds make it vibrate.
- The small bones of the middle ear transfer these vibrations to the inner ear.
- The inner ear contains the hearing organ (called the cochlea), which sends electrical signals to your brain when sound enters it, enabling you to hear. The inner ear also contains tiny semicircular canals responsible for keeping your balance.
What does an ear canal look like?
“It’s just like a tunnel with a pearly, shiny eardrum at the back of it,” says Henry. The typical ear canal is a bit less than an inch long.2 But no ear canal is exactly the same: Some people have large ones and some people’s ear canals are very small.
What happens in your ear canal when you wear hearing aids?
You wear a hearing aid behind or inside your ear, depending on the style. The device picks up sounds from its microphone, amplifies them and sends those sounds to your ear through a speaker (also called a receiver). The speaker is the part that sits in your ear canal.3
Where does the earwax in your ear canals come from?
There are glands inside your ear canals that produce earwax. Earwax, also known as cerumen, keeps the ear canal moist and healthy. It also traps dirt and germs and prevents them from reaching your eardrum.4 Plus, the wax can help protect against bacterial and fungal infections.4
Do you need to clean your ear canals?
No. “Ear canals are typically self-cleaning,” says Henry. The wax naturally falls out on its own. That’s why you should never use a cotton swab, paper clip or anything sharp to dig the wax out of your ear canal. For one, you just might push the earwax back into the ear and cause it to build up. For another, you could damage your eardrum.
If you want to clean your outer ears, it’s safe to take a damp cloth and wipe the entrance to the ear canal after a shower, says Henry. “But you should not go deeper than that.”
Wax can build up on your hearing aids too, so it’s important to clean your devices regularly. “Your audiologist can inspect your ears and recommend a cleaning schedule,” Henry says.
What should you do if one of your ear canals feels plugged up?
That blocked sensation is actually due to changes in your middle ear, and it can happen for several reasons.5,6 You could have a cold or allergies. If saline drops or an OTC nasal steroid spray doesn’t do the trick, make an appointment to see an ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT).
When you’re on an airplane or driving through the mountains, you might notice pressure building up in your ears. This feeling is caused by sudden changes in altitude that can affect your middle ear. If that’s the case, try yawning, sucking on a candy or chewing gum.
Is an ear canal infection the same thing as swimmer’s ear?
Yes. Bacteria and sometimes fungus can grow in the ear canal and cause an infection. The ear and ear canal might turn red and swell. Your ear will hurt, itch or even feel plugged up. You might even have some discharge if the infection is bad.7
Swimmer’s ear is usually caused by water that stays in your ear after swimming or showering. You can also get a bacterial infection by scratching your ear canal or trying to clean it with a cotton swab. Sometimes people with eczema can develop swimmer’s ear.7
No matter the cause, you should see your primary care provider (PCP) for a diagnosis. They can examine your ear to see if you have an infection and prescribe antibiotics or antifungal drops if needed.
What should you do if hearing aids make your ear canals hurt?
Hearing aids shouldn’t cause pain. “Sometimes it takes a bit of trial and error to find something that’s comfortable,” Henry explains. “And sometimes finding the perfect size for my patients who have really small ear canals can be a little bit harder.”
Once you’ve been fitted for hearing aids, take some time to get used to your devices. But if they do hurt (or fall out easily), make a follow-up appointment with your hearing care professional, who will work with you to troubleshoot. They may have to show you again how to insert your devices, or you might need to get a new pair that fits better.
Ready to request a hearing exam and consultation? EPIC Hearing Healthcare has a wide network of hearing care professionals. Request an appointment.
Sources
- Ear Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 25, 2026.
- External auditory canal Britannica. Accessed February 25, 2026.
- Hearing aids Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 25, 2026.
- Earwax Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 25, 2026.
- Plugged ears: What is the remedy? Mayo Clinic. Accessed February 20, 2026.
- Ear barotrauma (airplane ear) Cleveland Clinic. Accessed February 20, 2026.
- Swimmer’s ear Johns Hopkins Medicine. Accessed February 25, 2026.
Clinically reviewed
Published April 7, 2026
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
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