What is the difference between cerumen impaction and occlusion in the ear canal?

Cerumen impaction refers to a condition where earwax (cerumen) has built up in the ear canal to the point that it can cause symptoms or impede hearing. The correct choice highlights that cerumen impaction involves tightly packed cerumen, which distinguishes it from mere occlusion.

Occlusion generally means any blockage in the ear canal, which can be caused by various factors including foreign bodies or swelling in addition to earwax. However, cerumen impaction specifically indicates that the earwax itself has become densely compacted, resulting in blockage that is often substantial enough to warrant treatment. This understanding of cerumen impaction as tightly packed cerumen is critical, as it emphasizes the need for appropriate intervention when cerumen has become a significant barrier to sound transmission or has led to discomfort or other complications.