By Dr. Max S. Chartrand Ph.D.

Question:

I wear hearing aids, and the itching nearly drives me crazy. I clean my ears everyday with alcohol and a Q-tip, but it just seems to get worse. --- Mr. H.M.

Answer:

Dear Mr. H.M.: The second half of your question tells me why the first half is a problem (smile). Seriously, the last thing you want to do is keep your ears "clean", believe me. Here is how the ears, left alone, take care of that little detail very nicely:

• The outer layer of tissue of the external ear canal is a keratin protein composed of the same material as your hair (i.e., inorganic and without nerves or blood circulation). It acts to "seal" the sensitive epithelium (skin cells) below it from bacteria, fungus, yeast, and pseudomonas that otherwise would keep the ear stirred up with infection and irritation.
• The tissue below, as noted, is called epithelium. The tissue near the outside of the ear canal has 7 layers, reducing to 5 layers further into the ear, and finally 3 very thin layers by the time you reach about ¾-1" into your ear canal. These cells grow outward from the eardrum, and "drag" the keratin above it out. This is called "tissue desquamation". It moves at a very slow rate, so that at the end of 3 months a piece of sand on the eardrum will end up in the bowl (concha) of your outer ear for easy removal by fingertip.
• When the keratin is scraped out with a Q-tip or any other object, it exposes the sensitive tissue and several nerve reflexes for chronic irritation. Plus, it keeps the two substances form earwax (ceruminous and sebaceous secretions) from mixing. Instead, they go into a dry powder, and fail to form the needed pH and antiseptic properties needed to keep the ears healthy.
• If you will leave objects of all kinds out of your ears, and apply Miracell Botanical Solution daily for a period of 2 weeks (it takes a lot!), you will find that your keratin will grow back in, sensitivity will ease up, and your hearing aids will once again become more comfortable.