Why Do We Have Earwax1? 為什么我們有耳垢？

顏丹

What is earwax？

Earwax is a secretion2 produced by special glands3 in the outer ear canal4. It is produced by humans and most mammals5. It can either be dry and flaky6 or sticky and wet. It can range in colour from being yellow or orange to reddish or dark brown.

Why do we need earwax？

Earwax has many important jobs. It moisturizes7 the skin of the ear canal to prevent dry and itchy8 ears. It also contains special chemicals that fight off infections9 and acts as a protective layer that keeps the eardrum safe.

Can earwax create a blockage10？

In most humans， the earwax naturally falls out of the ear canal and is washed away when we bathe. As the ear canal constantly creates earwax， the skin is always moisturized and protected. However， sometimes there is an excessive build-up of earwax which can cause earaches and a mild11 loss of hearing. It is best to go visit a doctor， who can provide ear drops or safely remove the wax.

Using earbuds only pushes the earwax deeper and can cause a blockage or damage to the eardrum.

什么是耳垢？

耳垢是外耳道特殊腺體分泌的分泌物。人類和大多數(shù)哺乳動物都會產(chǎn)生。它可能是干的、片狀的，也可能是粘的、潮濕的。它的顏色不一，從黃色或橙色到紅色或深棕色都有。

為什么我們需要耳垢？

耳垢有許多重要的作用。它能滋潤耳道皮膚，防止耳朵干燥發(fā)癢。它還含有抗感染的特殊化學(xué)物質(zhì)，起到保護層的作用，保護耳膜。

耳垢會造成阻塞嗎？

大多數(shù)人的耳垢會自然地從耳道中掉出來，在我們洗澡時被沖走。由于耳道不斷產(chǎn)生耳垢，皮膚總是得到滋潤和保護。然而，有時耳垢堆積過多，會導(dǎo)致耳痛和輕度聽力喪失。最好去看醫(yī)生，醫(yī)生可以為你開些滴耳藥或者安全地清除耳垢。

使用耳塞只會將耳垢推得更深，并可能導(dǎo)致耳膜堵塞或受損。

（英語原文選自：mocomi.com）

【Notes】

1. earwax [■] n. 耳垢;耳屎

2. secretion [■] n. 分泌;分泌物

3. gland [■] n. 腺

4. canal [■] n. 管道

5. mammal [■] n. 哺乳動物

6. flaky [■] adj. 薄片的;薄而易剝落的

7. moisturize [■] vt. 使?jié)駶?/p>

8. itchy [■] adj. 發(fā)癢的

9. infection [■] n. 感染

10. blockage [■] n. 堵塞

11. mild [■] adj. 輕微的