What does an enlarged canal typically result from?

An enlarged ear canal is often a result of surgical intervention on the ear, particularly procedures that might involve the canal itself. Ear surgeries can involve widening the canal for various medical reasons, such as to improve access for treatment, remove obstructions, or correct congenital abnormalities. This surgical alteration can lead to a permanent enlargement of the canal.

In contrast, chronic infections, ear trauma, and excessive earwax might lead to other complications but do not typically result in a permanent enlargement of the canal. Chronic infections may cause inflammation or scarring, trauma could lead to structural changes, but these are not generally characterized by an increase in canal size. Excessive earwax can cause blockages but does not increase the physical dimensions of the canal itself. Thus, surgery is the clear link to an enlarged canal, providing a direct causative relationship between medical intervention and changes in the canal’s size.