The cerumen impaction is a pathological accumulation of earwax in the external auditory canal, which is accompanied by hearing loss, heaviness and discomfort in the ear, which leads to a significant decrease in the quality of life. The authors of the article consider the most common causes of excessive formation of cerumen, the mechanisms that prevent the normal separation of cerumen from the ear canal and the age-related features of the composition of earwax. The article discusses various ways to remove cerumen impaction, indications and contraindications to them. The authors conclude that the most effective and gentle way to evacuate sulfuric masses is the use of cerumenolytics, drugs that break down and thin the cerumen impaction, which facilitates its subsequent removal. Cerumenolytics based on plant components gently affect the skin of the outer ear, which allows them to be used for the purpose of hygiene of the ear canal and prevention of the formation of excess cerumen.