XXXII Thermodynamics of the External Auditory Canal

Relative humidity of the external auditory canal in normal and abnormal ears, and its pathogenic effect

“…26 It has previously been suggested that when the environment exceeds 100°F, 70% humidity, the skin is likely to become macerated, predisposing to infection. 27 The results from our study suggest that a relative humidity of the external ear canal above 70% predisposes the ear to become pathological and chronically discharge. The ears commonly associated with chronic ear discharge, the abnormal ear group, seem to fall in a range above this [mean (95% confidence interval): right, 69.8 (66.7-72.9); left, 73.3 (68.9-77.7)].…”