Earwax Facts

Earwax…just the sound of it brings up unpleasant images…but what exactly IS earwax?
Earwax is a naturally occurring sticky substance in the outer ear, containing oil and sweat mixed with dirt and dead skin cells. The inside of the ear canal is lined with skin cells that are always renewing themselves. The dead cells drop off and they’re pulled in to produce earwax.

What’s the Function of Earwax?

Earwax acts as a natural barrier that prevents dirt and bacteria from entering the innermost parts of your ears and as a moisturizer and protective coating for your ear canal. Interestingly, it can also repel insects. The smell of earwax keeps bugs away, and if any do decide to climb inside your ear, the wax traps them and keeps them out.
Earwax helps to clean the ears. We’ve already said that dirt and bacteria and even bugs get trapped in the wax. When the eardrum beats or the jaw moves, it moves that dirt laden wax closer to the outside as waste.

Should I Clean the Wax out of My Ears?

Many people believe that you need to regularly clean your ear canal using things like cotton swabs. Not only is this not necessary, it can be dangerous. When people stick things like cotton swabs or fingers or other small objects into their ears, they risk wedging the wax back into the ear canal where it can harden, become a problem, and even damage your hearing. Your ears need the wax to perform at their best. Having no earwax or not enough isn’t healthy, but having too much earwax isn’t either.

How to Remove Earwax

First, don’t try to remove it by sticking a cotton swab in there. If you have chronic ear problems or are diabetic, you should have a medical professional handle this job. They’ll put some drops in your ears to soften the wax, then they’ll remove it by irrigating the ear or using a rubber bulb syringe. You can also do this at home by placing a few drops of baby oil in the ears, then running warm water over your ears to flush the wax out.

Final Words

Earwax is a good thing. It protects and lubricates your ears and actually lets you hear more clearly. Unless you sense a problem in your ears caused by excessive earwax, you should just leave it alone and let it do its job.

We Can Help

At Elite Hearing Centers of America, we focus on what matters most to our patients, we want you to be completely satisfied with your hearing aids. That’s why we carry all of the leading brands of hearing aids at some of the most affordable prices.  Using the most modern technology in testing and programming, our Hearing Aid Specialists and Doctors of Audiology are professionally trained to find the hearing aid solution that’s right for you. We pride ourselves in providing outstanding customer service along with a 30 day free trial of any of our hearing aids. Add to that our 100% NO EXCUSE guarantee on all of our products.
For additional information about Elite Hearing Centers of America and the services we offer, visit our website or give us a call at 855-678-3234. We look forward to serving you!