Why is my ear is throbbing?

Throbbing ear? Why? HELP?

• My friend has an immense amount of ear wax build up, and she's going for a specialized treatment soon...but yesterday after removing a bit of it with Debrox solution and Q-tip, she noticed her right ear(which has more ear wax still) had a throbbing...it's in time with her heart beat...so essentially...she is hearing her heart beat! It unnerves her...is this permanent, or should it go away soon? She has an inflamed ear canal or whatever due to the ear wax's long presence, and she's gunna take antibiotics soon to prevent an infection. THANKS.

• Answer:

  There is a blood vessel close to the ear drum. The constant dewaxing has left the area sore and sensitive hence the extra sensitivity to the heart beat which is presenting as a throb. Ear wax is produced by glands in the outer ear canal. Its purpose is to trap dust and other small particles and prevent them from reaching and potentially damaging the eardrum. Normally, the wax dries up and falls out of the ear on its own, along with any trapped dust or debris. Blockage, or impaction of earwax occurs when the wax gets pushed deep within the ear canal by inappropriate cleaning or de-waxing methods. Q-tip usage is also a cause of such blockage. After the succesful treatment, your friend should avoid de-waxing the ears using conners of table cloth or other innapropriate tools. Its best to let nature clean itself.