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Earwax is one of those things that you don’t really think about until you’re standing in the Q-tip aisle in Clicks.

But, according to a new study published in the academic journal Heliyon, it might be worth considering, in detail.

Don’t worry, this isn’t going to be gross. It’s actually pretty interesting.

Researchers have developed a device (below) that collects a sample from your ear, which is then shipped off to a lab.

Once there, it is tested for cortisol, to monitor depression and stress-linked conditions.

The device, according to The Independent, works in a similar way to an earbud and could point to a simpler and cheaper way to monitor the steroid hormone.

They also think that the test could be used for measuring glucose levels, for monitoring diabetes, or potentially even COVID-19 antibodies.

Lead researcher Dr Andres Herane-Vives, of University College London’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, said:

“Cortisol sampling is notoriously difficult, as levels of the hormone can fluctuate, so a sample might not be an accurate reflection of a person’s chronic cortisol levels.”

“Moreover, sampling methods themselves can induce stress and influence the results.”

Image: Trears

“But cortisol levels in earwax appear to be more stable and with our new device it’s easy to take a sample and get it tested quickly, cheaply and effectively.”

A pilot study of 37 volunteers has already been carried out to test different cortisol sampling techniques.

The research team, including scientists from the UK, Chile and Germany, sampled participants’ earwax using a standard syringe procedure, known to be somewhat painful, and then followed up a month later by using the same sampling in one ear, and the new device in the other.

They also analysed hair and blood samples, finding that earwax yielded more results, making it the cheapest and most efficient method.

“After this successful pilot study, if our device holds up to further scrutiny in larger trials, we hope to transform diagnostics and care for millions of people with depression or cortisol-related conditions such as Addison’s disease and Cushing syndrome, and potentially numerous other conditions.”

He didn’t expand on how it might be useful for testing for COVID-19, but it looks like all of this is in the early stages.

Earwax, hey – who knew?

[source:independent]