This is the VOA Special English Health Report.
这里是美国之音慢速英语健康报告。

Some people’s ears produce wax like busy little bees. This can be a problem even though earwax appears to serve an important purpose.
一些人的耳朵像勤劳的小蜜蜂一样不断地分泌蜡质物(耳垢)。这可能是个问题，虽然耳垢似乎起着非常重要的作用。

It protects and cleans the ear. It traps dirt and other matter and it keeps insects out. Doctors think earwax might also help protect against infections. And the waxy oil keeps ears from getting too dry.
耳垢可以保护并清洁耳道，它可以黏附灰尘，异物，防止昆虫进入耳内。医生认为耳垢可能还有助于防止感染。此外，这种蜡质油脂还可以防止耳内过于干燥。

So earwax is good. It even has a medical name: cerumen. And there are two kinds. Most people of European or African ancestry have the "wet" kind: thick and sticky. East Asians commonly have "dry" earwax.
所以，耳垢是有益的，它甚至还有一个医学名称：耵聍。耳垢分两种类型。大部分欧洲人和非洲人都是“湿润型耳垢”，又厚又粘。而东亚人是“干燥型”耳垢。

But you can have too much of a good thing.
但物极必反。

The glands in the ear canal that produce the wax make too much in some people. Earwax is normally expelled; it falls out of the ear or gets washed away. But extra wax can harden and form a blockage that interferes with sound waves and reduces hearing.
一些人耳道中的皮脂腺会分泌过多的耳垢。一般情况下耳垢会从耳内脱落并自然排出。但是过多的耳垢可能会凝固阻塞耳道，干扰声波导致听力下降。

People can also cause a blockage when they try to clean out their ears, but only push the wax deeper inside. Earwax removal is sometimes necessary. But you have to use a safe method or you could do a lot of damage.
人们还可能人为阻塞耳道。当人们清理耳道时，反将耳垢推入更深的耳道。清除耳垢有时是必要的，但必须使用安全的方法，否则可能会对耳朵造成很大的伤害。

Experts at the National Institutes of Health, N.I.H., suggest some ways to treat excessive earwax yourself. The wax can be softened with mineral oil, glycerin or ear drops. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide may also help.
美国国立卫生研究院的专家提出了几点自行清除过多耳垢的建议。耳垢可以被矿物油，甘油或滴耳液软化，过氧化氢(双氧水)或过氧化脲可能也有帮助。

Another way to remove wax is known as irrigation. With the head upright, take hold of the outer part of the ear. Gently pull upward to straighten the ear canal. Use a syringe device to gently direct water against the wall of the ear canal. Then turn the head to the side to let the water out.
另一种去除耳垢的方法被称为“灌洗法”。保持头部竖直，抓住耳朵的外部，轻轻向上拉耳朵以保持耳道平直，用注射器将水沿着耳壁轻柔地注入。然后，把头偏向一侧让水流出。

The experts at N.I.H. say you may have to repeat this process a few times. Use water that is body temperature. If the water is cooler or warmer, it could make you feel dizzy. Never try irrigation if the eardrum is broken. It could lead to infection and other problems.
美国国立卫生研究院的专家表示，这个过程可能需要重复数次。使用温度接近体温的水，如果水过冷或过热，会使人感到眩晕。如果耳膜损伤切勿使用这种方法，否则可能会导致感染和其它问题。

After the earwax is gone, gently dry the ear. But if irrigation fails, the best thing to do is to go to a health care provider for professional assistance.
耳垢清除后，轻轻地将耳部擦干。如果“灌洗法”无效，最好去医护部门寻求专业帮助。

You should never put a cotton swab or other object into the ear canal. But you can use a swab or cloth to clean the outer part of the ear. Experts agree with the old saying that you should never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.
千万不要把棉签或其他东西放进耳道里，但是可以使用棉签或软布来清洁耳朵外部。专家们同意那句老话，永远不要把比你的手肘更小的东西放进耳朵。