Ear hair becoming more noticeable with age is mostly a normal effect of aging and hormones, not a sign that something is wrong.
đź‘‚ Why does it happen?
Hormonal changes: As you age, especially as androgen levels and sensitivity change, hair follicles can behave differently. Some follicles that previously produced fine, nearly invisible hairs may produce thicker, longer hairs.
Genetics: Some people are simply more prone to prominent ear hair. It can run in families.
The hair-growth cycle changes: Aging can alter how long individual hairs remain in their growth phase, allowing certain ear hairs to become unusually long before they shed.
It’s not because your ears “need” more hair: A common misconception is that ear hair increases to protect the ear from dirt or insects. There may be some protective function from the tiny hairs in the ear canal, but the conspicuous hairs that appear on the outer ear with age are largely an age- and hormone-related phenomenon.
The surprising part
You don’t necessarily grow more hair everywhere as you age. In fact, many people experience thinning scalp hair and body hair while getting a few conspicuously long hairs on the ears, nose, or eyebrows. Different follicles respond differently to hormones and aging.
Should you remove it?
If it’s bothersome, careful trimming with an electric ear/nose trimmer is generally preferable to inserting sharp objects deep into the ear canal. Avoid plucking hairs from inside the canal because it can irritate the skin and potentially cause infection.
If ear-hair growth suddenly becomes dramatically different, particularly alongside other unusual hormonal changes, it’s worth mentioning to a doctor.
