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The sticky stuff we call ear wax isn't related to the paraffin wax that candles are made of. Ear wax is secreted by cerumen glands in the skin of your ear canals. This substance is part of your ear's natural cleaning mechanism. Dirt, bacteria, and even insects that might fly into your ears are trapped by the wax so the foreign materials don't harm your eardrum. The dirty wax slowly slides out of your ear canal and takes the gunk away. Sometimes ear wax builds up and causes hearing problems that require a doctor to remove the blockage. People produce different types of ear wax. Studies have found two
kinds -- dry wax, which has about 20% lipid (fat), and wet wax, which has 50% lipid. The latter variety can be harder and lead to buildup. Some people simply create more ear wax than others. Their ear canals may be narrower and more easily blocked or at an angle that makes it hard for wax to fall out. Hairy ear canals can obstruct the process, too. As people age, more ear wax may build up. Even working in dusty environments can cause dirt to get stuck in the ear and lead to blockages.
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