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(Almost) all you need to know about earwaxThis normal and natural substance can sometimes become impacted
Contributed by Debbie Clason, staff writer, Healthy Hearing Of all the substances our bodies excrete, earwax has to be one of the most mysterious. What possible reason could our ears have for producing this waxy substance? Medical professionals may not yet completely understand all of its properties, but they are certain of its protective nature. To understand more, we’ve assembled some interesting facts about earwax—and why you shouldn’t be so hasty to remove it. What is earwax?![]() earwax removal method, we do not recommend it. Earwax, known medically as cerumen, is a naturally occurring sticky substance in the outer ear. Earwax contains oil and sweat mixed with dirt and dead skin cells. Why do people have earwax?Earwax is natural and helpfulIt’s hard to believe something so unappealing can be so important to your ears' good health, yet being sticky and smelly is exactly why a normal amount of ear wax is beneficial. Consider these attributes:
Why cleaning your ears is not necessary"An overly clean ear can be an unhealthy ear," according to an in-depth article on the harms of earwax cleaning by researcher and hearing instrument specialist, Max Stanley Chartrand, PhD. Anytime someone tries to clean their ear by inserting a finger or small object into their ears, they risk wedging earwax back into the skin, where it can harden and become problematic, even affecting your hearing, he explains. Temporary hearing loss and tinnitusEar infections and earwax impactions increase the volume of your own voice, so people with these problems may speak very softly. The impacted wax can also press upon the vagus nerve, triggering a chronic reflexive cough. Lastly, Chartrand explans, it can also make the eardrum spasm, leading to ringing in the ears that sounds like a roaring or buzzing sound. If you suspect impacted earwax? Proceed with cautionEven though earwax has its benefits, blockages can occur, particularly if you tend to have dry, hard earwax. If you develop a sensation of stuffiness in your ears, feel like your voice or hearing loss and suspect earwax is the culprit:
Your earwax says a lot about youAlthough most everyone’s ears produce earwax, that’s where the similarity ends. Its composition varies from person to person, depending on their ethnicity, environment, age and diet. Two types of earwaxThere are two primary types of earwax—wet and dry:
Normal earwax colorsEven the color of your cerumen can say a lot about you:
Diabetes and earwaxInterestingly, the pH of earwax in people with diabetes tends to be less acidic, according to practice guidelines published by the American Association of Family Physicians. This makes it less protective against germs, meaning people with diabetes should take extra care with their ears because they are at higher risk of ear infections. Do I have too much earwax?Usually, the body knows exactly how much earwax to produce. As long as you maintain a healthy diet, have good hygiene and move your jaw (think chewing and talking), your ears will naturally expel excess earwax, dirt and debris without any intervention. The more you remove, the more your body will makeWhen you make a habit of removing earwax, that sends a signal to your body to make more, creating an excess which can interfere with hearing, put you at greater risk for developing ear infections and other complications. Earwax super-producersStress and fear can also accelerate earwax production. Others who have a tendency to produce too much earwax include those:
How to clean your earsWhile your ears are self-cleaning, there are a few things you can do to keep them clean and free of excess debris:
Debbie Clason, staff writer, Healthy Hearing
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