The chemicals have to be in contact with each other in order for any type of chemical reaction to take place. One of the most common examples of a chemical reaction is the rusting of a fence. The combining of the metal and the oxygen causes bonds to break and new ones to be created, which results in the creation of iron oxide or rust.
The ear canal cleans itself with a waxy secretion called cerumen. Cerumen is resistant to water, sticky (to trap dust) and migrates out of the ear canal to self-clean the ear. Sometimes, the wax builds up and causes symptoms, including mild deafness and a sensation of fullness inside the ear.
1. Earwax keeps your ears from itching. One of the practical sides of earwax is that it seems to lubricate the ears, according to Penn Medicine, the way that tears lubricate the eyes. The wax may keep ears from feeling dry or itchy. 2. It also keeps them (relatively) clean. That waxy buildup is a sexy combo of those lubricating secretions, sloughed skin cells and dirt and dust trapped there while trying to enter your ear. But believe it or not, for the most part it will clean itself out.