Risk factors for cerumen impaction
Anatomical	Narrow/stenotic external ear canalOsteoma/exotoses of external ear canalHair in external ear canal
Physical barriers	Hearing aidsEar plugsCotton bud use (pushes wax further into canal)
Wax properties	Hard wax producersDry wax (age-related: cerumen glands atrophy)Otitis externa
Learning disability
Dermatological conditions	Eczema, psoriasis, seborrhoeic dermatitis