Might Sound Stupid But.....

[BigFish]

Do any of you have trouble with your ears? I mean in regards to getting alot of "buildup" in them? Since I have started turning, I have been having some ear problems and I think they may be related to the dust created when turning. Any thoughts? Do any of you use ear plugs to keep the dust out?

[Tagger]

your ears are producing wax as protection I think .. I do aluminum doors and glass frames in work sometimes and cut aluminum extrusions on a power miter for sometimes weeks ..I could start a candle factory ...

[Slingah]

I think Taggage is correct...I have massive amount of wax from all the dust at work 3hours to remove at the docs last time......nasty

[Karl F]

I started wearing plugs, like swimmers plugs... turning a bunch, or drilling a bunch at a whack... mainly 'cause the noise was taking a toll, my ears would kinda, well, hurt for lack of a better word.. almost, if I didn't. But, I suppose the plugs help keep the dust out too.

[Striperknight]

From a medical site
Causes
The skin cells lining our outer ear canals include tiny glands, similar to sweat glands, which produce wax. The point seems to be that this acts as a protective layer, which traps dust and other particles which get into the ear. The wax slowly works its way to the outside, taking the trapped dirt and dust with it.

Most people's ears clear the wax, which probably comes off on our pillows and towels etc., at a rate which means that it does not build up. Some people may, at some stages in their lives produce wax at a faster rate. Other people have either one or both ear canals that is narrow, or that is at an angle which slows the natural passage of the wax. In these people the wax builds up.

The wax may eventually block off the ear canal all together. If this happens, hearing is reduced, and there is an increased likelihood that stagnation may lead to an infection building up behind the obstruction.

Prevention
Do not try to clean out your ears by using a cotton bud. (Ear Nose and Throat specialists sometimes say "You shouldn't stick anything in your ear that's any smaller than your elbow!") This may merely act like a ram rod, and could damage the ear drum.
It may help to wear ear plugs if you work in a particularly dusty environment.
If you keep getting ears blocked with wax, it may be worth using a couple of drops of olive oil into each ear once or twice a week.

[Backbeach Jake]

Back when I still painted cars, GM had several years of peeling cars. We had to strip them to bare metal and refinish. You can imagine the dust we created. We noticed that our ears were producing wax at a phenomenal rate. When the run a bad paint was past, our ears cleared up.

[basswipe]

Originally Posted by BigFish

Do any of you have trouble with your ears? I mean in regards to getting alot of "buildup" in them? Since I have started turning, I have been having some ear problems and I think they may be related to the dust created when turning. Any thoughts? Do any of you use ear plugs to keep the dust out?

Having been in the painting/(re)finishing business the last 15yrs I've also had that "problem".

The dust can and will build up.Q-tips will only make it worse.Flushing is much better.You can also get some pretty bad ear infections.Earplugs will work but a good headset is better.

[Charleston]

If you're making that much wax, it's a sure sign you're making too many plugs. Send me a few. The time you spend at the Post Office will give your ears a break.....

[Pete F.]

That's interesting. When I used to do a lot of work in my cabinet shop I had problems with wax. I never made the connection.
The first time I had this problem my younger brother had just started his practice. He looked in my ears and said it's simple they are full of wax. He left for a minute and came back with a giant syringe. He blasted them out with water. It only took a few minutes and since then I've done it myself with a baby syringe. Just make sure you use clean body temperature water or you'll get a infection or be puking.

[Raider Ronnie]

I work in a shop thats noisy all day long,
We go through a box of q/tips every week at home!!!

[Young Salt]

I have the same problem.....
I've been using ear plugs and i'm convinced they only help the wax to buildup, the 'headset' type are better, but you can't wear them with safty glasses.
I played the drums all throught school, and work in a noisy shop, like RR.
i already have pretty bad hearing loss, so i wear the plugs, to help protect what i still have.

What Bluefishercat says is true, the first time with an ear doc, he had to flush out one ear. He only used air, because it's more gentle he said. Still i got soo dizzy from it he had to stop for a minute because i was about to pass out.
It's part of the same reaction that makes people sea-sick.