They are the last place you might think to look for clues about your health and wellbeing – but scientists have discovered our ears can tells us a lot about everything from the risk of heart disease to the state of our teeth.
Experts at University College London recently found measuring glucose levels in ear wax could be the secret to picking up type 2 diabetes – which affects more than four million people – much sooner in life.
They tested a handheld DIY gadget that collects tiny samples of wax and measures how much glucose is in it. The results can give vital clues as to whether somebody is on the verge of becoming diabetic, which means earlier treatment or lifestyle changes that can help to keep it at bay.