It is composed of fat and dead skin cells and is produced to trap debris that may enter the ear canal.
Impaction is commonly the result of misguided efforts to remove ear wax.
The use of cotton swabs, needles, bobby pins, etc. interferes with the ear's self-cleaning mechanism and can potentially scratch or puncture the skin. Such attempts to remove ear wax will usually only push it further down the ear canal. Over time, the accumulated wax will create an impaction. Some people naturally develop impactions due to narrow or deformed ear canals or skin disease near the ear and scalp. Common symptoms of ear wax impaction are earache, hearing loss, or both.