How to clean earwax?

Earwax is actually what we often call earwax. There are actually some requirements for cleaning earwax, because a proper amount of earwax can actually protect the health of the ears. If it is cleaned too thoroughly, the ear canal will lose its protection and it will be easy for insects to fly in. Earwax needs to be cleaned properly because too much earwax can also cause hearing loss.

Effect/cerumen

Normal earwax is not waste, but has certain functions in protecting the hearing organs :

1. Earwax is rich in oil, which can moisturize the fine hairs on the skin of the ear canal. These fine hairs can block dust particles and microorganisms from the outside, keep the ear canal clean, and slightly narrow the ear canal cavity, filtering and buffering the incoming sound waves, so that the eardrum will not be injured by strong sound.

2. Earwax and fine hair can also prevent insects and other microorganisms from invading the ears. Small insects that accidentally break in will be blocked by the dense and fine hairs; earwax tastes bitter, and when the small insects taste the bitterness of earwax, they will "retreat in the face of difficulty."

3. Oil-rich earwax can keep the ear canal at a certain temperature and humidity, especially preventing the eardrum deep in the ear canal from drying out, thus keeping the eardrum in the best state of movement.

4. Earwax rich in fatty acids forms an acid film on the surface of the ear canal skin, making the external auditory canal an acidic environment and having a mild bactericidal effect. Some people have proven that the chemical components in earwax can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria.

Removal/earwax

necessity

The opening and closing movement of the jaw naturally promotes the removal of earwax. Unless the excess earwax is causing health problems, ENT doctors do not recommend earwax removal. However, excess earwax may impede the transmission of sound in the ear canal, leading to conductive hearing loss. Additionally, approximately 60%-80% of hearing aid failures are caused by excessive earwax.

Removal method

It is not recommended to use cotton swabs to remove earwax because doing so may push the earwax deeper into the ear canal and cause a perforated eardrum if you are not careful.

In East Asia, the use of ear picks is common. Most Asians have dry earwax, which usually falls out in lumps or dry fragments. It can be easily removed by gently scraping with an ear pick. The improved ear pick has protective measures that can effectively prevent the ear pick from being inserted too deeply.