korvavahaa

Korvavaha, sometimes seen in sources as korvavahaa, is the Finnish term for earwax, the cerumen produced by glands in the external auditory canal. It is a natural substance that helps protect the skin of the ear canal, traps dust and debris, and provides a barrier against microorganisms. The wax also helps to lubricate the canal and aids in the outward migration of debris as the jaw moves during talking and chewing.

Cerumen is a mixture of secretions from ceruminous and sebaceous glands, along with shed skin cells and other debris. Its color and consistency vary from dry, powdery to sticky and yellow-brown, depending on genetics, diet, and environmental factors. A well-known genetic difference influences whether cerumen is dry or wet; this variation correlates with ethnic populations, with dry cerumen more common in some groups and wet cerumen more common in others.

The cerumen is located only in the external auditory canal and does not enter the middle ear. It typically self-cleans by migrating outward and is often expelled during normal activities or washing.

Care and removal should be cautious. Inserting objects into the ear canal can cause injury or push wax deeper. Minor cleaning can be done by wiping the outer ear with a damp cloth. If earwax accumulation causes fullness, hearing loss, or discomfort, a healthcare professional can perform safe removal, which may include irrigation or suction. Regular cleaning is usually unnecessary, and over-cleaning can irritate the ear canal.

See also: cerumen, ear hygiene, otitis externa.