Cerumen is the medical term for ear wax and it's important that we have it!
Cerumen is a natural lubricant, keeping the ear canal naturally oiled.
Cerumen has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and traps dirt and
debris, protecting the ear canal and the delicate Tympanic Membrane (eardrum) beyond.
Cerumen very slowly migrates along the ear canal towards the outer ear where it
eventually drops out - self-cleaning, all very cleverly designed :-)
Sometimes we over-produce cerumen or it can become impacted, often through use of cotton buds (THROW THEM AWAY!!), and the wax needs removing, either via
Microsuction ('gold standard' safest option) or syringing (irrigation).
Normal Tympanic Membrane (eardrum)
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