Why should you get off wearing earphones 24Hr? Because your ears demand some to breathe.

Wireless earphones are becoming incredibly popular, and in 2023, Apple sold around 100 million sets of AirPods As these devices grant us freedom from our phones and gadgets, we tend to wear them for extended periods.

You might have noticed your ears feeling stickier or accumulating more wax. Is this a common occurrence, and what are the effects of prolonged earphone use?

While wireless earphones are relatively new, there is a wealth of research on the long-term use of hearing aids, which often share similar mechanisms. This research suggests that extended use of in-ear devices can lead to issues related to earwax.

                            A. What is the function of earwax?

Our bodies naturally make earwax, This wax is supposed to be there, forming a thin layer near the entrance of our ear canals. It serves as a protective and waterproof barrier.

This protective wax keeps our ear canals moist and safe. It helps prevent infections and acts as a shield against things like bugs, bacteria, and water. When earwax is wet, it's brown and sticky, but when it dries, it turns more white.

Interestingly, in the 1800s, people even used earwax as a kind of lip balm because it's so good at protecting!

Earwax is a natural substance produced in the outer part of our ear canals. It's made by the oil and sweat glands connected to our hair follicles. As it forms, it traps things like dust, bacteria, fungi, tiny hairs, and dead skin cells.

Think of your ear canal as an escalator that moves this earwax outwards. This helps prevent your ears from getting clogged with dead skin cells. Plus, your natural jaw movements help push the earwax along. Eventually, when the earwax reaches the end of your ear canal, it simply falls out on its own.

      B. What could happen to the system when you use earphones?

Our ears are designed to clean themselves naturally and function best when left undisturbed. However, anything that obstructs the normal flow of earwax out of the ear can lead to problems.

Using in-ear devices like earphones for regular activities usually isn't a concern. But extended use, such as wearing them all day long, could potentially:

Make earwax denser and more difficult for the body to expel naturally.

Lead to earwax compaction, which may trigger inflammation as white blood cells gather in the blocked area.

Impede airflow and prevent wet earwax from drying out, encouraging wax build-up.

Trap sweat and moisture in the ears, increasing the risk of bacterial and fungal infections.

Create a barrier that hinders the natural expulsion of earwax, causing the body to produce more earwax.

Decrease overall ear hygiene if the earbud pads aren't cleaned properly or become contaminated with bacteria.

Harm your hearing if you listen at excessively high volumes.

If excessive earwax builds up, it can lead to hearing problems and may cause symptoms like pain, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), itching, and vertigo.

If you need to listen for extended periods, using over-ear headphones can offer some advantages. They provide a bit more airflow compared to in-ear earphones and earbuds. However, this isn't as ideal as leaving your ears open to natural airflow, and earwax can still accumulate.

Since over-ear headphones sit outside the ear canal, they are also less likely to compact earwax or introduce bacteria or pathogens into the ear canal.

          C. Nothing smaller than your elbow can fit through here.

In most situations, the best approach to deal with earwax is to simply leave it alone. It's not a good idea to use cotton swabs regularly, as doing so can actually push the earwax further into the ear canal. Remember the golden rule: don't insert anything smaller than your elbow into your ear – in other words, avoid sticking things in there!

Some traditional methods like using olive oil drops or ear candles may not be very helpful and could even cause problems.

If you're experiencing earwax or hearing issues, your family doctor can provide a range of treatment options and guide you to the right healthcare service for long-term management if necessary.

Initially, they'll look inside your ear with a special tool to assess any blockages or concerns.

Meanwhile, our ears have a pretty amazing self-cleaning system, so it's best to let it work naturally. For the most part, using earphones is perfectly okay, but it's a good idea to be mindful of how long you wear them. Lastly, always keep the volume at a safe level to protect your precious hearing.