What does Earwax actually do?

Question

we all have it but it doesn't seem to actually be of any use.

Explain why we have earwax please

Answer 1

It keeps foreign matter out of the ears (dust small insects etc), it also waterproofs the inside of the ears. It cleans the ears too, as it works its way to the outside (as it naturally does), it takes any dirt with it...;

Answer 2

Earwax, also known by the medical term cerumen, is a yellowish, waxy substance secreted in the ear canal of humans and many other mammals. It plays an important role in the human ear canal, assisting in cleaning and lubrication, and also provides some protection from bacteria, fungus, and insects. A comprehensive review of the physiology and pathophysiology of cerumen can be found in Roeser and Ballachanda. Excess or impacted cerumen can press against the eardrum and/or occlude the external auditory canal and impair hearing.
Cerumen is produced in the outer third of the cartilaginous portion of the human ear canal. It is a mixture of viscous secretions from sebaceous glands and less-viscous ones from modified apocrine sweat glands. The primary components of earwax are the final products in the HMG-CoA reductase pathway, namely, squalene, lanosterol, and cholesterol.

Two distinct genetically determined types of earwax are distinguished -- the wet type, which is dominant; and the dry type, which is recessive. Asians and Native Americans are more likely to have the dry type of cerumen (grey and flaky), whereas Caucasians and Africans are more likely to have the wet type (honey-brown to dark-brown and moist). Cerumen type has been used by anthropologists to track human migratory patterns, such as those of the Inuit.

The difference in cerumen type has been tracked to a single base change (an SNP) in a gene known as "ATP-binding cassette C11 gene". In addition to affecting cerumen type, this mutation also reduces sweat production. The researchers conjecture that the reduction in sweat was beneficial to the ancestors of East Asians and Native Americans who are thought to have lived in cold climates.

Answer 3

"First, it protects and moisturizes the skin of ear canal, preventing dry, itchy ears. Second, it contains special chemicals that fight off infections that could hurt the skin inside the ear canal. Finally, it acts as a shield between the outside world and the eardrum. When dust, dirt, and other things enter your ear, the earwax traps them so they can't travel any further."
http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/yucky/earwax.html

Answer 4

Properly known as cerumen. earwax lubricates your ear, kills fungus and bacteria, and stops insects crawling inside your ear (by virtue of being sticky like fly paper).

Answer 5

It stops dirt and bits of hair and fluff getting into your ears.

Answer 6

www.virtualpediatrichospital.org/patients/cqqa/earwax.shtml
www.mercola.com/2001/aug/11/earwax.htm -
www2.b3ta.com/files/cat-earwax-conundrum.htm
www.drpaul.com/library/EARWAX.html

Answer 7

Keeps your ears shiney. What a silly question.

Answer 8

Stops you hearing Bull S***t.

Answer 9

cleans the ear canal by flowing from the inside out...when system is working properly, that is..........

Answer 10

Its for making ear candles.