Ear wax production is one of our body's natural processes. It is used to clean and protect the ear canal from debris and provides natural waterproofing. Your genetic makeup will determine the type of wax you produce as well as the quantity. Its natural removal process will also be determined on the shape of your internal and external ear structure.
Ear Anatomy
Your ear contains several components. The outer ear consists of the pinna, the external portion, and the external auditory canal, which connects the outer ear to the middle ear. The tympanic membrane, also called the eardrum, separates the outer and middle ear portions. The middle ear has the ossicles, which are the three small bones that are connected and provide sound to the inner ear. These bones are called malleus, incus and stapes. The middle ear also has the eustachian tube that is lined with mucus. This tube connects the middle ear with the throat region which helps equalize pressure. The inner ear contains the cochlea, which has the nerves for hearing, the vestibule and semicircle canals, both of which are used for balance.
Ear Wax
According to the University of Mary Washington, cerumen glands located in the outer portion of the ear canal secrete cerumen, a sticky and waxy fluid, into the external auditory canal to protect and waterproof the delicate lining. When this secretion is combined with sweat, sebum and the keratin from dead skin cells, it produces ear wax. According to Harvard Medical School, ear wax has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Genetics will determine if you have a wet wax secretion or a dry wax secretion. Those of European decent will generally have cerumen that is 50 percent fat, making a wet wax. Those of Asian decent will normally have only 20 percent fat making it dry.
Ear Wax Problems
If ear wax builds up, it can cause loss of hearing, earaches and infections. Some people, for unknown reasons, overproduce ear wax while others may have an unusual turn or shape of the external auditory canal, making wax build-up a problem.
Ear Wax Removal
Your body will normally remove wax on its own. The movement of your jaw actually causes waves in the canal which help to push out ear wax and debris. If you do get a wax build-up, you can soften it by adding a few drops of olive oil in each ear every few weeks and letting it naturally fall out. You could also purchase some ear drops to soften the wax, and then use a bulb syringe to squirt a little water gently. If the build-up is causing pain, and the home remedies do not work, let your physician remove it.
Ear Safety
Never use a cotton swab to clean your ears. Most of the time, it only packs the ear wax and causes a build-up. You should never place anything sharp into your ear. You could puncture your eardrum or scratch the surface of the ear canal, which can easily lead to an infection.
