Everything Else . Besides protecting against dirt and water and lubricating the canal, ear wax is slightly acidic, so some experts say it has mild antibacterial properties and helps fight the growth of fungus or bacteria that can cause the outer ear inflammation called swimmer's ear.
Ear wax is formed by small glands under the skin of the outer part of the ear canal.
It builds up in different amounts in different people. It may get thicker and drier in old age. If too much wax accumulates, the traditional warning never to use cotton swabs or other objects to remove it still holds true, because a small instrument can push the wax deeper into the ear canal, against the ear drum, where it can block hearing or injure the drum. Your doctor can remove the wax or suggest commercial or homemade drops to soften it. In some cases stronger prescription softeners can be called for.