# When I use earbuds... (TMI/gross)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-use-earbuds-tmi-gross/668259>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [September 7, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-use-earbuds-tmi-gross/668259 "2013-09-07T16:41:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Scholar\_Beardpig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@Scholar\_Beardpig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scholar_Beardpig)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-use-earbuds-tmi-gross/668259/1 "2013-09-07T16:41:06Z")

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… why do I always pull out huge chunks of earwax?

A brief background note - I recently purchased a new HTC One, and it came with complementary earbuds - you can see them [here.](http://www.htc.com/www/accessories/htc-stereo-headphones/) I never picked up the habit of listening to music in public, but I find it very handy when I’m commuting on the subway - I can listen to podcasts or audio books, and keep a ready supply of jam-tunes for when it’s jamming time.

The trouble is, after having them in for an hour or so, when I pull them out? Earwax. Big gobs of ugly, orange earwax. I can usually repeat this feat two or three times in a row - put 'em in, wait a while, pull 'em out, orange gold!

Is this normal? Do I have hyper-production of earwax? Is this indicative of other health problems? I don’t normally clean my ears; is this something I should start doing?

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**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-use-earbuds-tmi-gross/668259/2 "2013-09-07T16:47:49Z")

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Doesn’t seem normal.

You shouldn’t have to clean your ears. They grow from the inside out, and that’s how cerumen (earwax) is normally expelled.

You may have some buildup, and I’m WAG-ing the vibrations of whatever you’re pumping directly into your ears may be loosening up some chunks. You may want to visit an ENT doctor and get your ears cleaned out, and while you’re there, ask him/her.

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**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-i-use-earbuds-tmi-gross/668259/3 "2013-09-07T17:08:31Z")

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i was told by a doc that most of your ear wax get reabsorbed. what doesn’t gets moved out with the trash.

if it doesn’t then you are an accumulator. ear wax removal drops (glycerin and peroxide) and an ear syringe can be purchased at a drug store.