More than just dirt in your ears?
Though its medical name is cerumen, most of us refer to it as earwax.
While I agree that neither term sounds very attractive, I will argue that earwax has gotten an undeserved bad reputation as something equivalent to dirt that we need to remove from our bodies.
So before reaching for the cotton swabs, you should know that earwax performs several important functions for our ears and hearing system.
That’s right. Earwax — unless it is in excess and blocking our ear canal(s) or has plugged and disrupted the proper functioning of hearing technology — is a good thing.
Here are some positive functions of earwax:
● It provides a protective barrier to the skin of the ear canal
● Assists in lubricating and cleaning the outer portion of the ear canal
● Provides protection against insects (it is a natural insecticide), fungi, and bacteria — all of which like to dwell in dark, moist places…just like the ear canal!
Don’t be so quick to want to remove all of your earwax
Oftentimes, excess earwax will work its way to the outer portion of the ear canal and simply fall out on its own. To clean your ears, never use cotton swabs, as these can push the wax down further into the ear canal. Simply rinse your ears with warm water while showering and/or use a damp cloth with mild soap to gently wash the exterior of the ear. In cases where earwax is excessive, it should only be removed by a professional as this is a delicate procedure. In fact, the ear canal is the only place on the body where skin is in direct contact with bone, so improper cleaning of this area could result in infection with serious consequences.
Want to learn more about hearing health?
Want to learn more about topics like these pertaining to your hearing health? Sign up for one of our monthly Lunch & Learn seminars. For more information about these seminars, visit North State Audiological Services on the web or call us toll free at 888.844.7024. Because hearing is a wonderful gift!
