The Human Ear: Ear Wax; How To Safely Clean The Ear

Sophie Sylvia

The ear, the soft flappy cartilaginous figure found on both sides of the head, is the sense organ for hearing in all members of Kingdom 

 and a body balance mechanism in mammals (animals that give birth to their young ones alive). 

Numerous face nerves are located in the ear, which provides direct access to the body system. 

 are three component sections of the ear. These are essential components of the human hearing mechanism, which enable a quick interpretation of sounds after hearing them.

How Does The Hearing Mechanism Of The Ear Work?

In a straightforward analogy, the eardrum, also known as the tympanic membrane, receives sound waves from the outer ear and transmits them. The sound is then sent from the middle ear to the inner ear. Sound waves are transformed into electrical impulses at the inner ear, which are subsequently transmitted to the brain via nerves. After the brain interprets these signals, the person may hear and comprehend the sounds. Unexpectedly, these occur in less than a millisecond. Amazing, isn’t that?

, popular known as earwax, is that irksome semi-solid matter that exists in your ear. It is a combination of dead skin cells mixed with secretions from the sebaceous and ceruminous glands of the ear. It assumes the name “wax” because of the firm semi-solid texture as a result of the cementation of dead skin cells with oils secreted by the sebaceous glands of the ear. 

Benefits of Cerumen (Ear Wax) To Your Ear Health

In the habit of cleaning out your ear wax regularly? Here are 3 stunning health roles you probably don’t know the ear wax plays:

Ear wax has antibacterial and antifungal properties because it is slightly acidic. This prevents the entry of tiny insects, germs and other foreign bodies into the ear.

Dirt in the auditory canal, including dead skin cells, is pumped out during the beating of the eardrum in the form of ear wax. Hence, ear wax is a special mechanism by which the ear cleans itself.

Ear wax contains oils which lubricate the skin of the outer ear, thus preventing dryness of the ear.

Note that Cerumen in the ear is incredibly beneficial only when its quantity is moderate. It is more disastrous to have too much earwax in the ear than just a little of it.

Excessive cleaning of the ear causes a negligible quantity of ear wax. This leads to dryness of the ear skin and a strong feeling of itchiness in one’s auditory canal. It can be corrected by adding one or two drops of essential oils (e.g olive oil) into the ear.

Too much cerumen in the ear is described as layers of wax being driven into the auditory canal with a cotton swab, cotton bud, ballpen end, or pencil. Cerumen builds up as a result, which causes transient hearing loss.

So, when cleaning this delicate hearing organ, it is necessary to use caution.

The first thought in your mind was probably, ‘Oh! That’s very easy; I could use cotton swabs to clean out my ear wax, but it will interest you to know that the use of cotton swabs to clean the inner ear is very dangerous. Why?

Although it is undeniable that there is a momentary feeling of relief after inserting a cotton swab into the ear; this soothing feeling is only a resting ground for the latter immense havoc which is to manifest. They are as follows:

Using cotton swabs in your ears can damage inner ear structures. According to a publication from Healthline, 73% of ear injuries were associated with swabbing, and it documented 80 eardrum ruptures.

Cotton swab pushes the wax deep into the auditory canal, resulting in the accumulation of ear wax layers that should have been removed through the natural cleansing mechanism of the ear. Ear wax buildup causes pain, dizziness, and a weighty feeling in the ear.

Then how do I safely clean my ears? Anyone may ask.

1. Visit a professional ENT (Ear, nose and throat) doctor to remove the wax.

Clean the ear with a cloth soaked in warm water.

2. Clean the ears with a cloth soaked in warm water. Gently clean the ear with a spring syringe filled with warm water or saline. This strategy can be used, so to speak, if the affected person does not suffer from inner ear complications or diabetes.

3. Ensure you visit the doctor when your ears ache. It may be a sign of too much ear wax or the presence of an ear infection.

Finally, the ears, just like your eyes, hair, skin, and teeth, are crucial parts of the body and so, deserve great care and attention. Your sense of hearing matters a lot. Cheers!

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