Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

The OzMan — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:30:10 GMT

Ya'll did such a good job with this article, your next one should be a focus on snot. Oh please, please say you will!?

Imagine...Billy Goldberg and Mark Leyner...a Pulitzer for orifice secretion!!!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

matt bel air maryland — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:31:26 GMT

whoever wrote this article is kind of annoying. the hollywood movie idea? just dumb. i know it's not meant to be taken seriously, but whoever wrote this article extrapolated this to the cheesiest (no punt int.) extent it could possibly go.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

AMAZED — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:31:31 GMT

WHAT A DUMB WASTE OF TIME 7 ENERGY

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Hugo Ahlquist Springfield, IL — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:46:39 GMT

Slow news day?? Hardly seems likely given the DNC ongoing.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Lisa Matthews — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:47:08 GMT

Let Marcus read this.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Dee, Raleigh, NC — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:00:06 GMT

I have suffered from excessive ear wax and have had to have the irrigation 2 times over the course of 10 years. I suffered hearing loss which is how I noticed the problem. It is amazing to hear again.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Beth J., Columbia, Mo. — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:00:34 GMT

The old saying goes, "Never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow." There is a reason for that, you can do serious damage to your eardrum and canal with Q-tips and "other" objects used to clean your ears. I have seen people use their car keys, toothpicks and even paring knives! Use a washcloth with soap and water on the end of your little finger and that is probably as far as you need to go. If you have bothersome symptoms see your physician.
Oh, and enough with Keanu already! At least it wasn't a booger!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

The Mega Zard, Everywhere, Earth — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:02:33 GMT

I've heard that the character of the earwax can be an indicator of vascular disease. Specifically that if the ear wax is wet and clumpy, that's good and if it is thin, dry and flaky that is bad. Is there any truth to that?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Lisa, Germantown, MD — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:08:32 GMT

Please, you could have saved me 3 minutes to just reprinting the old adage "Don't put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear." Totally unhelpful here and not in touch with reality. I've used a Q-tip after my shower for years and, trust me, I dig deeper than the outer part of my ear to dry my ear canals out after a shower. If I don't, the outcome is simple, consistent and miserable - I get an inner ear infection.

So, instead of rehashing old information here, try giving me something useful and new next time, please.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Allison, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:14:51 GMT

great article.

you should mention that deaf people often have some of the cleanest ears. every time i go to the doctor or to my audiologist, they always comment on how clean my ears are, and that i need to leave some earwax in my ear so that i can protect my skin.

i often do a thorough ear-cleaning regimen after i get wet, because if i leave water in my ears, the "humidity" gets into my hearing aids and causes feedback, and decreases the life of my hearing aids.

but with the cochlear implant, i don't have to worry about that anymore, as it bypasses the auditory bones and goes directly to the cochlea/auditory nerve.

did the guidelines mention anything about deafness and water/wax in the ears and their impact on deaf people with hearing aids?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Mike Finney, Hurst, TX — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:16:10 GMT

It would have beennice if you had offered suggestions on a good home remedy to remvoe impacted wax. Are any of the ear wax removal kits you can buy in the stores any good? If you do use one of the kits, what should you do during and afterwards to maximize the benefits and reduce potential problems?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Jason Woods, Richmond, Indiana — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:19:08 GMT

Umm..i thought the Keanu Reeves thing was used a little too much in this article. I have seen the pictures. Oh my God...the man has wax in his ears..so lets make fun of him! I don't think so...lay off and learn to just write an article and present a story!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Dean, Kansas City — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:20:36 GMT

My day is now complete, and it has just begun. My grandmother always told me not to get my ears TOO clean, as the earwax was the best insecticide available, and prevented bugs from getting into my brain.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

William — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:22:42 GMT

What is the best way to clean your ears? hould you go to a doctor?

Yes, where are those enterprising Americans when it comes to earwax?!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Mike Forbes, Cumberland VA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:25:40 GMT

Since no one else has dared to say it: you truly have waxed poetic!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

WaxingWaning — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:31:45 GMT

I had to find that picture of Keanu. Seriously, if that is the worst thing you can say about a celebrity, that's pretty good. I have noticed that earwax is often the cause of hearing loss and older folks panic thinking their hearing is going. Get thee to your doctor! It may just be a wax plug...

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Dr. Austin Bacchus, Lake Geneva, WI — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:31:51 GMT

Thank you for posting this humorous (and important) article on a sticky topic (yuk yuk).
As a walk-in physician, patients with "self-impacted" (read: shoved in deep by over-agressive Q-tip usage) earwax come in quite frequently, and sometimes the wax has trapped water in the ear canal, causing a "swimmer's ear" type infection too. My tip about Q-tips is: "Don't stick them where the sun don't shine -- only use them to remove ear wax that you can see easily in a mirror." And having a little ear wax isn't a bad thing, as long as it isn't hanging out of your head on the front page of the Enquirer (or causing your hearing to be decreased) -- the wax helps to keep the ear canal walls lubricated and protects from infection.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Jim C. Nasium — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:33:35 GMT

Just use an ear syringe and hot water over a sink to remove.......works great!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Golda, St. Louis, MO — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:34:50 GMT

Had no idea that ear was was such an ear-resistible subject! Tell me, when you do the aural irrigation, do you call that waning? Hey, if the moon can wax and wane, why can't the ear?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:35:58 GMT

They actually pay you to write this?

Good lord, how revolting.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Linda, Indianapolis, IN — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:39:27 GMT

I had a great laugh over this - I'm still laughing. But... you guys truly have warped minds...in a good way. Thanks!!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Amanda, Indianapolis, Indiana — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:40:23 GMT

Wow, this is something I never really gave much thought. I know not to use cotton-swabs, but my mother does the candling every couple of months! As for a fuel source, wouldn't that be a little creepy?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Jeremy S, San Franciosco — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:41:16 GMT

I know this is a little weird, but I have found in my life that the best way to clear a clogged ear is with a large paper clip. Not the uncovered metal ones, but the metal ones with a little colored soft vynil covering (or rubber, not really sure what it is covered with.) The idea is to put the paperclip in just a small amount, not very far, but far enough to scoop the gunk out with the edge. I have never understood qtips, which never work for me. I'm sure doctors would advise against paperclips because of risk of injury, but it works absolutely the best.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

ray, fort lauderdale — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:42:48 GMT

lol.....poor keanu that is so embarrasing but don't worry he can probly slove or oil problem...

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

P. Diddy, White Plains, NY — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:46:01 GMT

i was just thinking about doing the "candle thing" and it's quite coincidental that i happened upon this artical...i have no where near the amount that keanu is reported to be excreting, however, i will now see what my dr. thinks i can do...that would be something if e.w. could be used as fuel...

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Dano, OKC — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:46:03 GMT

As a long time ear wax sufferer, I appreciate this article. I agree that use of cotton swabs only perturbate the problem. Personally, I have found that periodic use of over-the-counter "Debrox" works best. It desolves the wax (sort has a tingly sensation to it in the process), and then is irrigated with lukewarm tap water.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Debbie, Austin, TX — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:48:19 GMT

I was bothered by a cracking noise in my ear for over a year. I could sometimes hear it at night and felt my ears might be clogged. A nurse friend offered to do ear candling on me, followed by a drop of baby ear drops to replenish and coat the inner ear. Bottom line: a ton of thick, brown goo came out of both my ears. No more "cracking" and I hear tons better! That was over a year ago and no problems since.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Melanie, Memphis, TN — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:50:45 GMT

Have to disagree with those against ear candling. It is a godsend for me. I've never burnt myself (you'd have to be particularly stupid to do that, honestly). After I use ear candles my hearing is vastly improved. I use them twice a year and swear by them.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Rene, Aurora — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:54:25 GMT

Alas Ear Wax Collections are worth Something!!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Lake Eary — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:57:39 GMT

There should be a quick and easy way to deal with earwax daily. The cue tip is long overdue for replacement. Some company stands to make millions if they invent a way to get it out quicky and painlessly that doesn't risk damage to the ear.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Jimmy James — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:02:23 GMT

I'm prone to impacted ear wax and I get ear infections frequently. Usually I have to seek a doctor for relief. My mother has a homemade remedy for the first signs of swimmer's ear (my ears are so sensitive I can get a case just showering). Her miracle cure is one part alcohol mixed with one part of white vinegar. Using a dropper you put just a few drops in the ear then tilt your head the other way to evacuate the solution. This remedy has helped me to elleviate the pain associated with swimmer's ear and imapcted ear wax on countless occasions. Just thought I'd share this info in case there are others like me out there.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Gus, White Plains, NY — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:04:28 GMT

I SOOOOO did not need to hear about Keanu's aural hygiene problem...

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Clean Ears... Austin, TX — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:07:06 GMT

I clean my ears all the tip with a q-tipa nd never had any problems. I think you just need to know how to clean your ears and not just shove it back the ear. I've even used paperclips to get the really hard to reach wax. My doctor does not know but he's never told me that my ears are dirty, in fact he tells me that my ears are a little to clean and to let wax build up. But I hate the feeling of earwax and knowing it's in there bothers me even more.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Kenneth San Francisco — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:14:03 GMT

One of the dumbest articles I have ever read. The ear wax topic is serious, the writers treatment of the topic is lame and juvenile. One prays this will be this will be Mark and Billy's last attempt at comedy writing. You two are about as effictive as the hollow candle treatment.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Matt, Burlington, MA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:16:40 GMT

My brother likes to sniff his earwax. That's the only reason I read this article.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Bo from Up North — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:18:58 GMT

I'm stuck with wet cerumen and it seems my ears don't self clean like they're supposed to! I always get blockage (without picking them) and I'll be deaf for days. I refuse to go to the ER just for wax buildup...so how do I clear it? Are commercial cerumen softeners you buy at the drug store safe?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Vicki Enigk, Montoursville, PA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:19:26 GMT

During a visit to my doctor's office, where I was seen by a nurse practitioner for an unrelated matter, I mentioned my "clogged" right ear. She left the room, returned with a bottle of warm water which she squirted into the ear, and out came the wax. I was supremely happy! I was not so happy when I received a bill for $69.00 for "surgery" -- over and above the bill for the issue for which I was actually being seen.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

jules, laurel, md — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:22:02 GMT

yuck.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Theresa, San Diego — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:23:07 GMT

I found the pictures of Keanu, yes, there is some build-up inside his ear canal. But no giant hunk hanging out of his ear.

Your article is doing the opposite and will just encourage the public to be more self-conscious about ear wax (of all things) and really go digging with those q-tips.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Trudyann, Cayman Islands — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:33:47 GMT

These doctors are only trying to make more money off of people pushing thier phamaceuticals and doctor visits for something so trivial. Why waste 50-100 to have a doctor "clean your ears"? I'll stick to cotton swabs thank you.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

terrytinamarathh@verizon.net — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:43:11 GMT

I get alot of this and against doctor's orders I cleaned it out by using the pen cap of a Bic ballpoint pen. Been doing it for years with no ill effect. Of course you gotta be careful not to puncture your eardrum

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Ballbuster — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:45:39 GMT

Trying to be funny as well as informative, Goldberg and Leyner failed at both. The exploitation of Keanu's earwax as incidental humor and noting earwax as a national source of oil are so preposterous that readers are left not laughing but feeling sorry for these two aspirating writers. After reading such cheap and artificial appeal to our interest, we are torn between feeling of sympathy or contempt for them. The writing failed to arouse humor because the writers improperly used overly stylistic writing for this occasion while at the same time tried too hard to understate certain topics in order to solicit humor. For their future writing, Goldberg and Leyner would have learned that a better writing style to tell their story is to use plain english and less "posturing" their presentation.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

NankiPu, Newport News, VA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:49:22 GMT

"Wouldn’t it be a glorious irony if the humble and oft-maligned human earwax turned out to be the great global panacea?"

It already has been. Everyone knows it heals fever blisters! (Unfortunately when a fever blister is present, earwax is NOT! Which means we need to borrow someone else's! EEWWWWW!)

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Brooke, Atlanta, Georgia — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:54:40 GMT

I work at an ENT office and have been shocked to see how much damage cotton swabs can do! Ear canal's skin is very sensitive and can be torn by the cotton swabs. As the Dr always tells the patients... Never put anything in your ear smaller than your elbow!!!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

R Gillis, Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:02:17 GMT

I feel similarly aboout lint pads from clothes dryers. Surely some sort of eco-friendly building material, designer dress fabric, barbeque briquettes or car part can be made from pressurized lint squares. We have sent men to the moon, yet it amazes me that no one has found a way to repurpose lint.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Michelle St. Pierre, Albany, New York — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:16:57 GMT

My cat licks my ear canals clean. I guess he likes the taste. After that, I just rinse them out with soap and water.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

hugh fells, Denver, CO — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:28:21 GMT

whenever I get a cold sore I swab my ears with a Q tip, apply the wax to the cold sore and within 24 hours the coldsore dries up.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Sandy — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:29:36 GMT

Love it!! Gotta send this one to my daughter.
Who knew? Found out everything I ever wanted to know about earwax! Thanks!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Wayne Buck, Seattle, WA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:34:59 GMT

I save up all my excess ear wax and use it a furniture polish. I'm little short on it right now, so am considering inviting Keanu over for dinner.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Charlie J, Phoenix, AZ. — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:44:03 GMT

Informative, yet palpably ucky and hysterical! So I guess Toyota will be marketing their new avant-garde 'Earolla' hybrid wax-drive early next year! Can you just imagine the Wax Banks popping up on street corners everywhere? Lines would go on for blocks! Instead of going green, we go burnt sienna!

Then, of course, GM will answer with a John Mellencamp-driven ad camapign for the sporty new Camucus SS, while Ford picks the the Shelby Snotstang 'With performance you can really dig!' as the forward salient for their 21st century marketing plunge. The Germans will soon counter with typically singular letter play branding for the practical, but ever middle-classy VW Chunderwagen, followed very closely by predictable but notable Japaneese (no bio-fools, they!) spin offs like the Mazda Piata, and the Mitsubishi Ejekta.

I can't wait!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

John Carter, Conroe, Tx — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:48:30 GMT

Can I borrow your cat?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Roberto Mastero, Stanford, Ct — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:58:31 GMT

You folks must be desperate for a news story. Earwax? Come on. How much more boring can you get?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Barbara Linxwiler — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:19:56 GMT

Thinking of you

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Jimbo — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:26:54 GMT

I can't believe I read this aticle. What was Ithinking?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Jeff — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:33:25 GMT

My ears for their own reason produce excessive wax. I occasional have problems. From childhood to adult, when I do have a problem, many people often act if I don’t do good hygiene and make me feel bad. I wish the article would cover some of this, too. When I was in the Navy and went to a clinic, one smart guy, use a dental water pressure to clean my ears. The water was warm and mix with hydrogen protoxide. It works very fast, painless!!! I consider it the best fix, ever!!! The home cure is same warm water mix and hydrogen peroxide rinse a 100 times at home, to eventual clean; same process but slower. As you soften the wax, you can go the shower and let the water run in your ears, repeat, over and over, eventually to be clean.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Robert, St> Louis,MO — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:48:37 GMT

Proper ear care is important, but why rag on Keanu? A better example would help.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

thomas tarka saranac lake NY — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:52:00 GMT

I was told during a zoology lecture that ear wax was produced to keep insects out of the ear canal.
That it tasted bad!! Don't know how they figured that out.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

j.k., bos, mass — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:08:03 GMT

never did the writer make clear why earwax is so important to our hearing and its functions. not even why we do get build up and what if anything it is a sign of. no ode, just the age ol' don't stick anything into your ear like your momma told you. this article is as insightful as the piece of earwax dripping from that actor's ear.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Rosa Foster...Oak Harbor, Wa. RoseandJim10@hotmail.com — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:16:43 GMT

In 2003 I used to be kept awake with some strange noise in my left ear. I finally went to a doctor but he told me it was temporary and not to worry about it. The noise still lingered on. I then went to another doctor. He told me to have an angiogram right away. Which I did. Right away they sent me to Seattle for heart surgery. I couldn't even go home to pack. My poor husband had to go home alone and visited me the next day after my surgery. I thought that was lucky for me. What I was listening to was the palpitation of my heart which was so clogged up with cholesterol.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

The Mega Zard, Everywhere, Earth — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:17:14 GMT

Wow,
The article seemed harmless enough to me rather than flame bait. I used to have terrible blockages in my ears that would nearly fill the canal from the drum to the opening. It was amazing to hear high pitched sounds after 10 years of blockage.
I use Q-Tips now but then my earwax has changed from the wet clumpy type that blocks my ears, to the dry flaky kind that doesn't (though in both cases, I produce quite an excess). This is why I asked the question above about ear wax and it's potential as an indicator for vascular disease. I seem to recall a study along those lines but now I can't find any discussion of it on the net. Since determination of dry vs wet cerumen is genetic, I'm wondering how mine changed from wet to dry. I must be mutating ;-)

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Andrew, Phoenix, AZ — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:18:52 GMT

Ah yes, true Democracy. ;-)

I liked the article and for those who did not ...

It is a shame that you wasted your time by failing to exhibit the self-control to move on. Further still, that you wasted more time to share your insight with the world.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Lively, Purcellville, VA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:28:39 GMT

Many moons ago, I entered a contest to write a bad poem... it seems appropriate to post it here...sadly, I didn't win.

Ode to Earwax:

How do I love my earwax? Let me count the ways.
My earwax doth save me in many an unusual situation-
when my mother doth shrieketh my name in vain,
loudly protestingeth my adoration to your pliable nature.
I love thee absolutely –– you blot out the horrible noise.
I love thee purely –– for aren’t you mine anyway?
I love thee because you taste bad and make my sister
scrunch up her face when I put you on the edge of her glass.
I don’t even mind too much if I accidentally taste you too,
for you are my bodily semi-fluid waxy stuff.
To death do us part; you last longer than a fart!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Linda Holloway, Fort Collins, CO — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:54:17 GMT

I've had the problem of the earwax not draining, thereby causing a loss of hearing due to wax buildup. When I remove it, I can hear again. I believe this happens often and people think they have lost their hearing.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

DMark, Las Vegas — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:59:50 GMT

When I was in my 20's and working in Switzerland, I had problems with one ear...it was like getting out of a swimming pool and having water stay in. I went to a Swiss doctor and he got out this weird contraption that was sort of like a high powered squirt gun.
Five minutes later, a ball of ear wax about the size of an M%M peanut candy came flying out of my ear. A smaller version came out of my other ear.
I suddenly felt like I could hear birds chirping 50 miles away! Mind you, that was in my 20's! Imagine what is gathering in your ears if you are older and have never had this done.
Trust me - if you even have small lapses of hearing occasionally, go have this done before it compacts and further!
Gross, yes. Relief? 100%!
BTW, it is totally painless and only takes a few minutes!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

ed,Tulsa, OK — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:31:08 GMT

HUH? I can't hear anything.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Dave, Hartford, CT — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:35:00 GMT

It is too bad that some of you don't like the humor. It is too bad some of you think you do not need a doctor to clean out the wax. The humor is a way to get people to read the article. Not many people read if there are no pictures but if there is humor they are more likely to read without pictures. I have extremely prolific cerumen glands. Once every three years I go to an ENT doctor for the sole purpose of removing ear wax. I can hear twice as well when I leave. Yes.....I use Q-Tips in the interim, but not to excess and never to the point of pain (once every 4 to 6 weeks and if it hurts you've probably gone about 2mm too far). The doctor certainly beats the method my mother used (after she trapped us in a room with no exit) - bobby pins!!! Talk about painful. If she can't feel the pain then she hasn't gone too far. OUCH!!! Go see a doctor - it works the best and is MUCH less painful.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Todd, Raleigh, NC — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 19:54:15 GMT

I swear by the Ototek Loop. It's a small plastic loop with a guard to keep it from penetrating too far into the ear. It's an excellent way to keep the earwax from overwhelming my ear. I've tried the drops, and unfortunately they just don't do the trick.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

GROSSED OUT, SPFLD, IL — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:09:00 GMT

My BOSS, Yes, picks his ear wax out ans then eats it! SOME People are JUST NASTY!!!!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Angela, Philadelphia, PA — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:30:10 GMT

When paparazzi are as intrusive as the one who zoomed down into Keanu Reeves' ear canal, the photo would look the same for any of us. It's ridiculous. What's next? Root canal?

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

John Pan, New Rochelle, NY — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:26:15 GMT

re: Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax. Interesting that "wet wax in Caucasians and African Americans, while the dry version is found in the ear canals of Asians and Native Americans". This is yet another evidence that Native Americans migrated from Asia. Other shared traits are a green spot on tail bone of newborn and weakness in alcohol metabolism.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

van — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:13:29 GMT

my nana was deaf so everybody in the family unit did not touch their ears.
i've done a web page & i need it passed on please.
he knows somebody that can turn you horse just by a nag. maybe he builds his own wax for inner protection & outter.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Mary, Manchester, England — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:20:03 GMT

Why do Doctors only tell you what you shouldn't do? How about some good quality first aid that we can use for ourselves!!!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Susan Sims, Evansville, Indiana — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:30:14 GMT

I have wax build up about twice a year. I use a rubber syringe, fill with very warm, not hot, water and rinse my ear. Try to penetrate the outer edges. Basically the same as in the Dr. office, but not as much pressure. The wax just falls out. It's great to hear again. So I don't feel lop-sided, I do the other ear to get it as clean as I can. It works great for me.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Larry — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:04:32 GMT

Ok Michelle......that is just gross!!! You are a little to close to your cat me thinks. By the way ear candling sounds romantic.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Venus Doom, NJ — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:03:46 GMT

My 9-month-old son produces more ear wax than anyone I've ever met. If I don't clean his ears once a day (using a Q-tip, and NO, I don't dig into the ear canal!), the stuff just ends up oozing out. I know it's supposed to be beneficial, but for God's sake, we can all agree it's sticky, a little smelly, and not terribly pleasing to the eye when it's on the outside of our precious ear canals, can't we? I've used Q-tips myself since I was a child to clean my ears, going way deeper into my own ear canal than the doctors advise, and I've never had a problem, but I do worry about my little guy -- I don't want him to end up with impacted earwax. How unlovely!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Molly, Malone, NY — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:52:05 GMT

There are few things in this world as rewarding as plucking out a little golden nugget from your ear(aside from popping zits, but that is a whole other article...that you should write!). Its nice to see a little bit of mainstreaming for all of these little "gross" habits we all practice.

I myself am a Q-Tip addict and yes, I know digging around in there is asking for problems, but I can't help myself. I had my ears irrigated once as a child but now more than 20 years later, I have yet to have the problem.

Embrace your wax!

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

EarWaxx Guy — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 04:03:52 GMT

I have always had issues with excessive ear wax (yes, disgusting..).. More of the "plug" type. I had tubes put in my ears, etc, when i was a kid, and I have had to have my ears irrigated. Then, comes the master blaster... I can do it myself... Nothing better then seeing your ear wax float on by... nasty...Google master blaster; it will be your new friend. The dude was a freak about the tip though.. DONT BREAK THE TIP ON THE MASTER BLASTER; ITS VERY SENSATIVE>>>>

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Lee, North Dakota — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 11:24:58 GMT

Read your q-tip boxes. It says right on the box, DO NOT stick in your ear. I have found that putting a little hydrogen peroxide in the canal and then draining it back out works better than any commercial ear wax removal treatment. It's also cheaper and safer than alot of treatments.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Kim, Houston — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:11:22 GMT

Hysterically funny!

Gawd, I just can't stop laughing!!

:)

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

Sidra, Boca Raton, FL — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 23:55:54 GMT

The author forgot to add that people with dry earwax have much fewer sweat glands, and that their smell smells a lot less because they don't have the same compounds in them. That's why Asian people sweat very little.

I have dry earwax but I am Pakistani; I think this is because I have Mughal (ie. Mongolian) ancestors. Anyway this is really fascinating to read about...would have been better with more details.

Eww or eureka? An ode to earwax

kirsten, wichita, kansas — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:04:17 GMT

excess ear wax can be caused by the body's inability to properly digest protein, due to weaknesses in bile production as contributed to by the liver... so theoretically you can prevent excess earwax by tonifying your liver. milk thistle is good for that.