Q Recently you provided the same advice my grandmother used to tell me: “Don’t put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.” Now I have a problem and was wondering if you could help me. How do I get rid of ear hairs inside my ear? I am getting to the age when this is becoming more of a problem. I find that as my ear hair grows, it begins to itch in the ear. It drives me nuts! I certainly do not want to put scissor points in my ear, so what can I do to trim or get rid of the pesky hairs and the itch? Thanks.
A: Hair growth within the ear canal is common in both men and women as they age but men appear to suffer from this embarrassing and ill-tolerated situation more than do women. Some of the visible hair is short and fine, while some is substantially heavier and presents in areas to include the underarms, on the face, in the nose, and in the ears. Perhaps the reason for its growth to go into overdrive is because the hair follicles become more sensitive as hormonal changes occur. The result is bigger hairs that appear to grow in unwanted areas of the body.
Everyone has tiny ear hairs that act as a protective screen from dirt in the air and unwanted pollutants. Further, the outer portion of the ear canal contains cerumen glands and hair follicles. Cerumen is wax-like, yellowish-brown in color, and manufactured by the sweat glands in the ear canal. This matter helps keep the skin inside the ear moist and because of its anti-microbial properties, works to keep bacteria from entering the inner ear. There are instances, however, when cerumen builds up in the ear, causing a blocked sensation, temporary loss of hearing, and irritation. Flushing with a syringe by either a primary care physician or otolaryngologist is a simple process that remedies the situation.
We’ve all stood near or used a lawn mower without ear protection, walked down the street when someone with a jack hammer is making repairs, or enter a room with someone playing loud music. Sounds such as these can cause short-term damage to hair cells that almost always returns to normal within a day or two. Unfortunately, long-term exposure, such as experienced by the operation of heavy equipment or that jackhammer laborer without appropriate ear protection can result in a permanent loss of hearing. Once human hair cells die, they cannot be regenerated, although researchers are constantly seeking methods to repair and restore hearing. In fact, a recent newspaper report touts a potential cure for permanent deafness with the use of a drug that stimulates the inner ear. While research has just begun on the drug confusingly known as LY411575, it is purported to regenerate damaged sensory hair cells.
The hairs in our ears sway and bend in response to sound. Hair cells in in the inner ear are there to protect the eardrum and a person’s hearing. Referred to as pilars, they are necessary for balance and hearing and are totally different from those of the outer ear, nose and other areas of the body. When damaged, unwanted and sometimes permanent issues can develop. They are located on the other side of the ear drum and cannot be reached without puncturing the drum itself. Thus, the top priority is to be respectful of those ear hairs. It’s easy enough to remove hairs that literally spring out from the ear itself as well as those slightly deeper but because of the position of those funny looking things on the sides of our head where we can’t see what we are doing, it might be beneficial to have someone else such as a barber or spouse perform the service for you. This can be accomplished with the purchase of an electric razor designed for nose and ear hair removal. Or, as an alternative, products such as Nair, a chemical hair removal product, can be used. When this procedure is selected, it is extremely important not to let the chemical seep to the inner ear because of the potential for damage. Once again, your barber may be just the guy to see for this matter. Because many individuals have sensitive skin, you might try a test strip elsewhere on your skin first, to be assured you won’t develop a sensitivity that could exacerbate your itch. There is also a product prescribed by dermatologists known as Eflomathine that is approved for use by women that takes eight weeks to be effective but on the downside, the hair returns eight weeks once the cream is discontinued. Hopefully one will be approved shortly to assist men. Removal of ear hairs should not be overpowered by vanity. Be careful and protect the precious gift of hearing you’ve been given.
