What is the reason for the sound of thin paper when cleaning the ears?

Many friends hear a sound like thin paper when cleaning their ears. This is because the earwax is too hard. You need to be very careful when cleaning earwax, because the ear canal is very narrow, and if you dig too deep, it will damage the eardrum, which will affect your hearing, so you must pay attention to cleaning earwax.

1. Earwax

The medical name for earwax is cerumen, which is the skin secretion of the external auditory canal of our ears. This secretion comes in two forms: one is oily and has a chocolate color. The other type is bran-like and is light yellow crumbs. Some people have more oily secretions, and the oily ears are called oily ears. Some people have a lot of yellowish, bran-like earwax fragments, which is called dry ears.

In fact, whether it is dry earwax or oily earwax, you don’t need to clean it yourself. Because earwax will go on a long journey on its own without you asking it. The principle is this: the skin on the inner wall of the external auditory canal grows outward, and the earwax attached to the skin will be sent to the opening of the external auditory canal.

But this is truly a "snail's pace". Some researchers have done an experiment in which they dropped a small drop of ink into the external auditory canal. In the end, it took about 6 months for the drop of ink to reach the opening of the external auditory canal.

There are many adverse consequences of using cotton swabs or ear cleaners to remove earwax yourself. For example, using too much force may damage the skin of the external auditory canal. There have been cases where someone accidentally pushes your arm down, and your arm uncontrollably pushes the small stick inside, puncturing the eardrum. And even if the operation is completely correct, the earwax that is crawling out may be pushed back. In fact, only a small amount of earwax will be stuck to the cotton swab or ear pick and brought out.

If water gets into your ears while swimming or taking a bath, do not use a cotton swab even if you can't hear temporarily. It is recommended to tilt your head to one side and jump a few times to let the water flow out automatically. After completing this action, just use some tissue to absorb the moisture at the opening of the external auditory canal.

2. How to clean your ears:

1. It is best to use a cotton swab and gently rotate it in the external auditory canal, then turn your ear downward and the earwax will come out by itself; try not to use sharp objects such as fingernails or iron sticks to pick your ears.

2. Do not form a habit of cleaning your ears frequently. Generally, you should clean your ears once a week or so. However, in dusty places or for people with "oily ears", you can do it less frequently. You can control it according to your own situation. However, if you do not clean your ears for a long time, cerumen blockage may form. At this time, it will be difficult to remove it by yourself. You should go to the hospital to use special instruments to remove it. After removal, insist on using ear drops for 2-3 days to prevent infection.

3. Self-examination of ears:

1. To test your hearing, you can rub your fingers lightly and compare the two sides to see if the volume you hear is consistent, or you can use an old-fashioned mechanical watch.

2. Gently pull the auricle outward and upward to see if there is any pain.

3. Observe the external auditory canal for bleeding, pus or abnormal secretions.

4. Use an otoscope to observe the ear canal and eardrum

5. Press the mastoid process (the bulge behind the ear) to see if there is any tenderness.