Your ears have a secret life: bugs, buildup, and the truth about Q-tips with infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld.
On this episode of Oh Gross!, Dr. Steve Threlkeld joins Kara and Jennie to break down the secret life of your ears! It is all about earwax and why trying to get rid of it might be the worst thing you can do. And whatever you do… put down the Q-tip.
Plus, the ER story you won’t forget involves a live cockroach on a Saturday night.
In this episode:
<ul>
 <li>
What earwax really is
</li>
 <li>
How one gene can determine what’s inside your ears/ 
</li>
 <li>
The bacteria, fungi, and mold living in your ears right now
</li>
 <li>
The cockroach ER story that will change how you think about your ears
</li>
 <li>
When to see an ENT and when to leave it alone
</li>
 <li>
The surprising link between hearing loss and dementia
</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Your ears have a secret life: bugs, buildup, and the truth about Q-tips with infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld. On this episode of Oh Gross!, Dr. Steve Threlkeld joins Kara and Jennie to break down the secret life of your ears! It is all about earwax and why trying to get rid of it might be the worst thing you can do. And whatever you do… put down the Q-tip. Plus, the ER story you won’t forget involves a live cockroach on a Saturday night. In this episode: What earwax really is How one gene can determine what’s inside your ears/ The bacteria, fungi, and mold living in your ears right now The cockroach ER story that will change how you think about your ears When to see an ENT and when to leave it alone The surprising link between hearing loss and dementia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your ears have a secret life: bugs, buildup, and the truth about Q-tips with infectious disease expert Dr. Steve Threlkeld.
On this episode of Oh Gross!, Dr. Steve Threlkeld joins Kara and Jennie to break down the secret life of your ears! It is all about earwax and why trying to get rid of it might be the worst thing you can do. And whatever you do… put down the Q-tip.
Plus, the ER story you won’t forget involves a live cockroach on a Saturday night.
In this episode:
<ul>
 <li>
What earwax really is
</li>
 <li>
How one gene can determine what’s inside your ears/&nbsp;
</li>
 <li>
The bacteria, fungi, and mold living in your ears right now
</li>
 <li>
The cockroach ER story that will change how you think about your ears
</li>
 <li>
When to see an ENT and when to leave it alone
</li>
 <li>
The surprising link between hearing loss and dementia
</li>
</ul> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Earwax…or a Bug in Your Ear?

Don’t let the “ick” factor hold you back—we get to the bottom of life’s toughest and grossest moments, so nothing is off-limits or unspeakable. So if you are tired of asking awkward questions on Social Media or spiraling down a misinformation Doctor Google rabbit hole, welcome to the Oh Gross! Community. 
Ever wonder how many times the average person gets bitten by a spider? Or what to do about germs on a plane?  We pull back the curtain on life’s most unnerving mysteries by having real conversations with science to takeaways—that help you face the “ick” with clarity (and maybe a laugh). So don't worry about that fuzz on your fruit in the fridge or panic about what to put in your "Bug Out Bag" for emergencies. We do the research so you can skip the stress—and get the answers you didn’t know you needed. Each episode Kara, Jennie and Molly dive into a squeamish or scary subject, blending expert-driven interviews, practical tips, and plenty of personal stories and wit to help you handle whatever life (or your leftovers) throw your way. We explain the science, delve into the history, and debunk the misinformation so you can tackle life’s sticky realities with confidence. No topic is too taboo—and yes, we’ll even tell you how many times you’re likely being bitten by spiders in a year.
In each episode, journalist and crime expert Kara Kurcz investigates the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, scientist Jennie Wickham breaks down the methodology behind the answers, and pop culture guru Molly Lucas shares relatable anecdotes that make even the gross stuff easier to digest. Together, these three friends make sure listeners walk away informed, intrigued, and ready for whatever creepy-crawly scenario comes their way because knowledge is the best antidote to “gross.”
 Tune in to Oh Gross—we'rer here to make life’s messy moments more manageable.

Comedy

Science

Parenting

Kids & Family

Don’t let the “ick” factor hold you back—we get to the bottom of life’s toughest and grossest moments, so nothing is off-limits or unspeakable. So if you are tired of asking awkward questions on Social Media or spiraling down a misinformation Doctor Google rabbit hole, welcome to the Oh Gross! Community. Ever wonder how many times the average person gets bitten by a spider? Or what to do about germs on a plane? We pull back the curtain on life’s most unnerving mysteries by having real conversations with science to takeaways—that help you face the “ick” with clarity (and maybe a laugh). So don't worry about that fuzz on your fruit in the fridge or panic about what to put in your "Bug Out Bag" for emergencies. We do the research so you can skip the stress—and get the answers you didn’t know you needed. Each episode Kara, Jennie and Molly dive into a squeamish or scary subject, blending expert-driven interviews, practical tips, and plenty of personal stories and wit to help you handle whatever life (or your leftovers) throw your way. We explain the science, delve into the history, and debunk the misinformation so you can tackle life’s sticky realities with confidence. No topic is too taboo—and yes, we’ll even tell you how many times you’re likely being bitten by spiders in a year. In each episode, journalist and crime expert Kara Kurcz investigates the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, scientist Jennie Wickham breaks down the methodology behind the answers, and pop culture guru Molly Lucas shares relatable anecdotes that make even the gross stuff easier to digest. Together, these three friends make sure listeners walk away informed, intrigued, and ready for whatever creepy-crawly scenario comes their way because knowledge is the best antidote to “gross.” Tune in to Oh Gross—we'rer here to make life’s messy moments more manageable.

Don’t let the “ick” factor hold you back—we get to the bottom of life’s toughest and grossest moments, so nothing is off-limits or unspeakable. So if you are tired&nbsp;of asking awkward questions on Social Media or spiraling down a misinformation Doctor Google rabbit hole, welcome to the Oh Gross! Community.&nbsp;
Ever wonder how many times the average person gets bitten by a spider?&nbsp;Or&nbsp;what to do about&nbsp;germs on a plane?&nbsp;&nbsp;We pull&nbsp;back the curtain on life’s most unnerving mysteries by having real conversations with science to takeaways—that help you face the “ick” with clarity (and maybe a laugh). So don't worry about that fuzz on your fruit in the fridge or panic about what to put in your "Bug Out Bag" for emergencies.&nbsp;We do the research so you can skip the stress—and get the answers you didn’t know you needed.&nbsp;Each episode Kara, Jennie and Molly dive into a squeamish or scary subject, blending expert-driven interviews, practical tips, and plenty of personal stories and wit to help you handle whatever life (or your leftovers) throw your way. We explain the science, delve into the history, and debunk the misinformation so you can tackle life’s sticky realities with confidence. No topic is too taboo—and yes, we’ll even tell you how many times you’re likely being bitten by spiders in a year.
In each episode, journalist and crime expert&nbsp;Kara Kurcz&nbsp;investigates the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, scientist&nbsp;Jennie Wickham&nbsp;breaks down the methodology behind the answers, and pop culture guru&nbsp;Molly&nbsp;Lucas&nbsp;shares relatable anecdotes that make even the gross stuff easier to digest. Together, these three friends make sure listeners walk away informed, intrigued, and ready for whatever creepy-crawly scenario comes their way because knowledge is the best antidote to “gross.”
&nbsp;Tune in to&nbsp;Oh Gross—we'rer here to make life’s messy moments more manageable.

Share Earwax…or a Bug in Your Ear?

Sign up to save your podcasts

Earwax…or a Bug in Your Ear?

Earwax…or a Bug in Your Ear?

More shows like Oh Gross!

Outbreak News

Dumb Blonde

Girls Next Level

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Let's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari