Wayne's World

Many years ago I purchased a small book titled “Some Relations Between Vision and Audition” by J. Donald Harris. It was published in 1950, and I purchased it at the publisher’s year-end book sale, where they were attempting to empty their stock of no longer moving product. I recall that I paid $1.00 for the book (which is why I

Note: The past several posts (Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) have been dealing with earwax, or as it is most properly termed – cerumen. Below, readers will find information about dealing with earwax issues at home, as well as when it may be appropriate to seek the guidance of a professional. Early Uses of Earwax Illuminating manuscripts – In

Thoughts/Observations About Hearing Aids and Earwax (Cerumen) Increased Cerumen Production It is well known that individuals who have never worn hearing aids often show increased cerumen production when hearing aids are first worn.  As a result, hearing aids and earwax are part and parcel of each other, even if that is not a preferred association. This initial increase in cerumen

For purposes of discussion, it is recognized that earwax (technically, cerumen) in ears is normal.  It is a naturally-produced and self-draining viscous substance.  However, at times, it can become impacted (hardened) and remains in the ear canal (Figure 1). Under these conditions, earwax and hearing aids do not go well together.  It is impacted earwax that is the primary target

Wow!  Is That Hair in Your Ears?  This discussion is not about the hairs (cilia) of the cochlea, where acoustic energy is translated into electrical energy, but about ear hair.  You know, the hairy ear growth that one sometimes notices in a person’s ears, but almost never says anything about – as if talking about it were taboo.  You can

Glands of the Skin of the Ear Canal Earwax is the result of the action of sweat and cerumen glands in the skin lining of the outer portion of the ear canal (Figure 1).  The dermis of the skin of the cartilaginous ear canal contains two exocrine glands that are involved in the production of cerumen.  Exocrine glands secrete their

Earwax, odor, and anxiety often go hand-in-hand.  This post discusses the relationship between them. Earwax and Body Odor Earwax is the result of sweat glands, of which there are two types: eccrine and apocrine.  Eccrine sweat glands are found throughout the skin (but not in the ear canal, although a few might be scattered over the pinna – the structure

So, What is Earwax? It has been called earwax, cerumen, gunk, cat earwax (Japan), and other names, not all complimentary.  It is technically called cerumen, and while often thought of as a hygienic nuisance, is far from this, actually representing one our body’s ingenious functional mechanisms, even though scientists are still not certain why we have earwax. It is the

It is Amazing What One Can Find About Hearing Aids When Looking For Something Else In her post last week on the HHTM blog, Gael Hannan commented on the “whisper game” that hearing-impaired individuals are not particularly good at, and provided an accurate and entertaining commentary as to why this is.  She reported that some family physicians use the whispered

Leopard Communication The Leopard is the largest spotted cat in Africa, and a powerful symbol of the wild places of earth: it is solitary, beautiful, graceful, strong, agile, and cunning.  Leopards are heavier and more strongly built than cheetahs, but still one third the size of lions.  Their spots are dark rosettes with a hollow center, all on a tan