What is(are) the purpose(s) of earwax?

[Drip Curl Magic]

What's it there for? I'm guessing it probably has multiple purposes, and I could probably take a guess at a few of them...

But how exactly did this stuff come into play?

[Buffy]

Flypaper. Things get stuck before they get close enough to your eardrum to do some nasty damage to your hearing. Then it sludges out. Quite amazing! To innefficient to have been "designed" of course...

Logic is the earwax of invention,
Buffy

[Drip Curl Magic]

mmm, yeah, that makes sense.

But is there any other role?

And when you say "sludge out" is that only reffering to the wax that eventually comes out of the outer ear? Does it have any other exits?

How is it ensured that the ear wax isn't gonna fill my ear to the point of deafness?

It seems like the body must absorb some of it after being sick and having excess mucus in the head.

[Drip Curl Magic]

I used to have a diagram of the three different sections of the ear....

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

But is there any other role?

You could make candles out of it! (actually, its not parafin, so that's a joke...a very small one)

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

And when you say "sludge out" is that only reffering to the wax that eventually comes out of your ear? Does it have any other exits?

The ear canal has only one exit, unless your eardrums are punctured, in which case stuff can go out through your eustation tube into your sinuses. If its punctured, bad stuff can get in and you can get bad infections which can destroy your hearing (conversely, sometimes they puncture you eardrum on purpose to kill infections).

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

How is it ensured that the ear wax isn't gonna fill my ear to the point of deafness?

Its not, and its *VERY* common. normally ear wax will "melt" from your body heat and yes, sludgelike, trickle out. It can get impacted, and if it does, you should go to an ear/nose/throat doc who will carve it out for you (takes 2 mins max, costs a fortune).

Like Jamie and Adam say, "don't do anything you see on the program at home." "Ever!" So follow this sage advice: "Never put anything in your ear, except your elbow."

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

It seems like the body must absorb some of it after being sick and having excess mucus in the your head.

Its a completely different substance than mucus. Can't go "back in". Under normal conditions it always dribbles out...

That's gross mom,
Buffy

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

I used to have a diagram of the three different sections of the ear....

http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsh...itis_media.htm

Hammer into anvil,
Buffy

[Drip Curl Magic]

Originally Posted by Buffy

http://www.chw.edu.au/parents/factsh...itis_media.htm

Hammer into anvil,
Buffy

Wow, that was an interesting link.

Now I have a diagram of the ear, AND I learned that aboriginal children are ten times more likely to get glue ear.

Hahha, neat.

[InfiniteNow]

Originally Posted by Drip Curl Magic

But is there any other role?

You could use it to form one of those really cool twisty handle bar mustaches like Dennis Cage, the guy on My Classic Car...

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

You could use it to form one of those really cool twisty handle bar mustaches like Dennis Cage

EEEeeeewwwww! Gross! That's what moustache wax is for dear, although if you really want to make your own, check this out.

In any case, I won't kiss a guy with a moustache, wax or no wax.

To get back on topic, I even make my men wax their ears....

You need a shave Samson,
Buffy

[Drip Curl Magic]

Originally Posted by InfiniteNow

You could use it to form one of those really cool twisty handle bar mustaches like Dennis Cage, the guy on My Classic Car...

YESSSSS!!!!